An Anti-Aging Herb That Helps Protect The Brain – InVite Health Podcast, Episode 572
You must listen to this podcast and learn how certain supplements have the ability to enhance our brain health even as we age.
Tag: mind diet
Blue Blockers Protecting Vision Problems, Part 2 – InVite Health Podcast, Episode 571
Are you on your computer, playing Xbox, or watching TV? The Blue Blockers will help to enhance your brain and eye fatigue. Listen now to learn more!
Knowledge is Power: Learn More About the Brain Health Program
Written by Melissa Bistricer, RDN
For further questions or concerns email me at mbistricer@invitehealth.com
Did you know that the brain is mostly made up of fat and is the fattest organ in the human body? The human brain has the ability to generate ~23 watts of power when awake. If you feel a cognitive dysfunction, this can alter the brain function leading to complicated issues such as memory loss, or decreased energy. So, let’s learn about the ways we can help improve your brain function.†
What is Brain Health?
Brain health is defined as the preservation of optimal brain integrity with cognitive function.1 Brain function can be affected as we age with a stable function called mild cognitive impairment and then progressing to worse stages like brain diseases such as Dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. There are changes as individual’s age and make lifestyle adjustments to positively impact the brain.†
Mild cognitive impairment is generally expected as we get older and age.2 Individuals with mild cognitive impairments still have the ability to perform normal functions. Some minor memory loss can occur and is often called “senior moments.” Even though some individuals with mild cognitive impairment remain stable, half of them progress to Dementia. Though, there are ways to prevent the progression by controlling risk factors with lifestyle modifications. Lifestyle modifications that are discussed to benefit brain health can be exercise, cognitively stimulating activities, sleep, and nutrition.† 3
Brain Health Nutrition Therapy
The MIND diet has been studied and is recommended for individuals with cognitive decline. The MIND diet is a combination of the Mediterranean and DASH diet. The focus being on wholesome fruits, vegetables and whole grains. It focuses mainly on leafy vegetables 7 days a week, 2 or more servings of berries a week and fatty fish like salmon 1 time a week or more. In the MIND diet it is recommended to avoid trans-saturated fats, hydrogenated oils, and saturated fats.†
Vitamins, Minerals & Herbs
Krill oil is shellfish derived that supplies EPA and DHA important omega-3 fatty acids. Fatty acids have to support healthy blood vessels function and circulation as well as brain health.†
A study provides insight that omega-3 polyunsaturated fats have an effect on cognitive function in the elderly population. This has been studied specifically with krill oil, a mostly omega-3-fatty acids with phosphatidylcholine.†
Acetyl-L-Carnitine, also called Alcar, provides energy to the mitochondria of the cells. The mitochondria is known as the “powerhouse” of the cells. Alpha-lipoic acid, also called ALA, is an antioxidant naturally produced in the body to help support glutathione. Alcar + ALA are combined together at InViteⓇ Health to help counteract oxidative stress in the body. Alcar has been studied for its numerous effects specifically on the brain and muscle metabolism. Alcar protects against neurotoxicity and may be an effective treatment for certain forms of depression.4 Preclinical studies suggest that ALA has free radicals, reduces inflammation and protects the brain cells from conditions like stroke, multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer’s disease.† 5
Resveratrol Max HxⓇ has naturally sourced active trans-resveratrol in the formula and powerful antioxidants like grape seed extract and quercetin. Resveratrol comes from the skin of red grapes commonly known as the “red wine antioxidant.”†
Resveratrol is a long-term treatment with adequate dosages with improved bioavailability and can possibly exert clinically significant protective effects against cognitive decline in humans.†
RESVERATROL AND BRAIN PROTECTION – INVITE HEALTH PODCAST, EPISODE 445 >> Listen now!
Grape Seed Extract contains flavonoids and is a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. Polyphenols and flavonoids maintain cellular proteostasis which is closely involved with amyloid diseases, in particular, neurodegenerative diseases. 8 Grape Seed Extract is valuable in therapeutic agents. Amyloid disease is an abnormal protein produced in the bone marrow causing deposits in any tissue or organs.†
Brain Health Program
Krill oil Advanced supports cardiovascular and brain health with the use of EPA, DHA, Astaxanthin and Omega-3 phospholipids †
Alcar + ALA supports for energy, memory, nerve health and metabolism †
Resveratrol Max HxⓇ supports brain health, cardiovascular, pulmonary and metabolic health †
For further questions or concerns related to dietary and nutritional supplement recommendations email me at mbistricer@invitehealth.com
Sources
1. Wang Y, Pan Y, Li H. What is Brain Health and why is it important? The BMJ. https://www.bmj.com/content/371/bmj.m3683#:~:text=Definition%20of%20brain%20health,-Currently%2C%20there%20is&text=Brain%20health%20 may%20therefore%20be, that%20effect%20 normal%20brain%20function. Published October 9, 2020. Accessed March 31, 2022.
2. Gauthier, Serge, et al. “Mild cognitive impairment.” The lancet 367.9518 (2006): 1262-1270.
3. Mintzer J, Donovan KA, Kindy AZ, Lock SL, Chura LR, Barracca N. Lifestyle Choices and Brain Health. Front Med (Lausanne). 2019; 6:204. Published 2019 Oct 4. doi:10.3389/fmed.2019.00204Mintzer J, Donovan KA, Kindy AZ, Lock SL, Chura LR, Barracca N. Lifestyle Choices and Brain Health. Front Med (Lausanne). 2019; 6:204. Published 2019 Oct 4. doi:10.3389/fmed.2019.00204
4. Smeland OB, Meisingset TW, Borges K, Sonnewald U. Chronic acetyl-L-carnitine alters brain energy metabolism and increases noradrenaline and serotonin content in healthy mice. Neurochem Int. 2012; 61(1):100-107. doi:10.1016/j.neuint.2012.04.008
5. Alpha lipoic acid. Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation. https://www.alzdiscovery.org/cognitive-vitality/ratings/alpha-lipoic-acid#:~:text=Preclinical%20research%20 suggests%20that%20 ALA, multiple%20sclerosis%2C%20and%20Alzheimer’s%20disease. Accessed April 1, 2022.
6. Konagai C, Yanagimoto K, Hayamizu K, Han L, Tsuji T, Koga Y. Effects of krill oil containing n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in phospholipid form on human brain function: a randomized controlled trial in healthy elderly volunteers. Clin Interv Aging. 2013; 8:1247-1257. doi:10.2147/CIA.S50349
7. Cicero AFG, Ruscica M, Banach M. Resveratrol and cognitive decline: a clinician perspective. Arch Med Sci. 2019; 15(4):936-943. doi:10.5114/aoms.2019.85463
8. Mahdipour R, Ebrahimzadeh-Bideskan A, Hosseini M, et al. The benefits of grape seed extract in neurological disorders and brain aging [published online ahead of print, 2022 Mar 28]. Nutr Neurosci. 2022; 1-15. doi:10.1080/1028415X.2022.2051954
MIND Diet: Combining the Best of the Mediterranean & DASH Diet
A new study by researchers at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago shows has developed a diet plan, called the MIND diet, that may reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease by as much as 53 percent. Even those who didn’t stick to the diet …
Brain Health Benefits of the Mediterranean Diet
You’ve heard it all before – exercise regularly, follow a healthy diet, stop smoking and drinking. Doctors and scientists have always followed the same guidelines for overall health and wellness. But a new study from the journal Neurology shows a rather new advancement – following …
New MIND Diet May Reduce the Risk of Alzheimer’s
Photo by Diego Ph on Unsplash
As we all know, what you decide to eat directly affects your health. But there is now new evidence that shows the same is true for your brain health. In a new study conducted by researchers at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, a new diet plan they developed, called the MIND diet, may reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease by as much as 53%.
According to the nutritional epidemiologist, Martha Clare Morris, PhD, lead author of the MIND diet study, “This diet appears to be just one of the many factors that play into who gets the disease. Genetics and other factors like smoking, exercise and education also play a role. But the MIND diet helped slow the rate of cognitive decline and protect against Alzheimer’s regardless of other risk factors.” The study included more than 900 people between the ages of 58 and 98 and it found that those participants who followed this diet, had a level of cognitive function equivalent of a person about 7 years younger.
Click here for more studies on Alzheimer’s Disease!
Here are the nine brain healthy food groups the MIND diet recommends to consume to reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease:
Vegetables: The MIND diet recommends frequent servings of all vegetables – especially green, leafy vegetables like kale, spinach, broccoli and collards. They are packed with Vitamin A, Vitamin C and many other nutrients.
Nuts: According to the MIND diet study, nuts are a good snack for brain health because they contain healthy fats, fiber and antioxidant. The MIND diet recommends eating nuts at least five times a week.
Berries: Morris states, “Blueberries are one of the more potent foods in terms of protecting the brain.” The diet recommends eating berries at least twice a week.
Beans: Beans are high in fiber and protein and low in calories and fat. According to the MIND diet, they also keep your mind sharp, making them the perfect food for brain health.
Whole Grains: A key component of the MIND diet, it is recommended at least three servings per day.
Fish: The MIND diet recommends eating fish at least once per week to protect brain function.
Poultry: It is recommended to eat two or more servings a week on the MIND diet since poultry is a large part of the brain-healthy eating plan.
Olive Oil: Researchers have found that people who use olive oil as their primary oil saw greater protection against cognitive decline.
Wine: The MIND diet recommends a glass of wine every day.
Click here for more information on how to optimize your brain health!
And here are the six food groups to avoid to optimize your brain health:
Red Meat: Limit consumption to no more than four servings a week to help protect brain health.
Butter and Stick Margarine: These foods should be limited to less than a tablespoon per day on the MIND diet. Substitute for Olive oil.
Cheese: Limit consumption of cheese to no more than once a week.
Pastries and Sweets: According to the MIND diet, pastries and other sweets could actually have a negative effect on brain health. Limit consumption to no more than five treats a week.
Fast Food: Limit consumption to no more than one a week.
Fried Food: Limit consumption to no more than one a week.
Source: http://www.cbsnews.com