Is Food for the Brain Helpful?
Well researchers at the Center for Cellular Neurobiology and Neurodegenerative Research at University of Massachusetts believes it is. The results of this study spotlight what a difference eating a healthy diet and supplementary can make.
They also vividly portray the destructive force of a diet lacking in nutrients. Short-term memory is improved by a supplement regimen. Alzheimer's disease and dementia victims lack mental sharpness because it's believed it involves nutritional neglect as well as generic risk factors and predisposition. Eating healthier is a strong belief for me.
Many relatively young and healthy people have digestive systems that function well and contain lots of friendly bacteria. These people usually have no problem eating an abundance of diets consisting of whole foods. But as they grow older is becomes more difficult to depend on food alone for good nutrition. The production of pancreatic enzymes breaks down as people age thus reducing the lever of enzymes to help break down food for digestion.
So What Do You Do About This?
It now becomes time to think about supplementing your diet with nutritional supplements. At this point in your life the health of your digestive system is determined how well even the best food is digested. Phosphatidylserine (PS) is vitally beneficial to the brain. Signs of reduced PS levels can appear as early as mid 30's. When PS levels begin to decrease, so do the abilities to learn, remember, and stay mentally alert.
Depression may also develop as a result of PS insufficiency. So it's important to eat foods rich in PS or taking it in supplement form to raise the levels in the brain and prevent or reverse age related declines in brain function. Numerous studies have suggested that PS can be used as an effective treatment for Alzheimer's disease and dementia.
Parris Kidd, Ph.D., the authority on PS, who has written several definitive books about the compound, recommends intake of 300mg of PS a day. The best dietary source for PS is fatty fish such as mackerel, a quarter pound serving of mackerel will provide about 450 mg of PS. Organ meats are another source, and fermented soybeans contain PS. It is also found in small amounts of some leafy greens.
Brain Nutrition Has Many Benefits
It's widely known that long term diet and nutrition sources have an effect on the way we look and feel. Even new studies show that nutrition can also affect the way we think too. It may seem a little unusual that whatever we put in our stomachs can have a powerful effect on what goes on in our minds. Research however is showing that emotional, mental and psychriatic disorders like depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia may more likely be the result of dietary deficiencies than genetic predispositions.
Omega-3 fatty acids may be just as important to the elderly as it is to newborns, since diminishing Omega-3 levels may be a contributing factor to stroke and Alzheimer's disease. According to "Eat and Heal" a book by FC&A Medical Publishing, one of the possible causes of Alzheimer's disease is beta - amyloid plaque, or clumps of protein, that accumulate in the victims brain.
Damage to the Brain Should be Concerning
Experts believe beta-amyloid might be connected with "inflammation" of the brain’s blood vessels. Since Omega-3 acids are known to reduce inflammation they could also be an important key in the fight against this frightening degenerative disease, as has been suggested by research in Japan. Their studies have shown that supplemental DHA sharpens memory in patients with dementia and depression and improves behaviors and speech in those with Alzheimer’s disease. Dr. Julian Whitaker writes about this in his book, "The Memory Solution."
From the information I've known from people with this horrible Alzheimer's disease, especially my wife's aunt in particular, none of these proven methods have ever used to address their disease. This is why I have been so adamant about sharing all kinds of information about natural treatments on my website and this blog. Hopefully this information will eventually make an impact of those who need natural healing methods for their illness or disease.
