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Brain Health - Mental Health - Your brain is a terrible thing to lose - its health is priority-one! The health of our brain is priority-one for senior fitness. Our quality of life is totally dependent on our ability to correctly experience the world around us, interpret its meaning, store and retrieve memories, process our emotional reactions to our experiences and function in human society. While understanding of the brain's operation is far from complete, much is understood about factors that damage the brain and cogitative function, as well as factors that enhance brain health, memory, emotional health, learning and thinking. There are things we can do to foster a well-functioning brain, and things we can avoid or correct to limit the damage acquired over a lifetime. Neurotransmitter levels and balance The first such area centers on neurotransmitter balance and the measurement and correction of imbalances. The endocrine system, producing the hormones of the body, is directed by the brain, and consequently dependent on neurotransmitter levels and their balance. While treating hormone changes that occur with aging is becoming more accepted as an anti-aging strategy, correcting neurotransmitter imbalances is not as respected as a strategy for improving health. Correcting neurotransmitter levels should rightly be the primary consideration because when this balance is accomplished, hormone levels often normalize on their own. Conversely, improving some hormonal disturbances will correct neurotransmitter production and balance. While the brain produces many chemicals, those with major impact include serotonin, dopamine, GABA, norepinephrine, epinephrine, acetylcholine and glutamate. Neurotransmitters (NTs) are broadly classed as excitatory or inhibitory, and this is where the balance factor comes into play - excitatory NTs ramp up certain functions of the brain and body while inhibitory NTs regulate them down, keeping the body's systems under control. Any deficiency or excess of a NT, or incorrect dynamic balance of NTs can lead to a veritable circus of mental and physical malfunctions. Some causes of NT disruption Dieting: limiting intake of nutrients below critical levels, which is common with numerous fad diets, can shift NT balance and production. Diets that eliminate sources for one of the macro-nutrients (fats, proteins or carbohydrates) will guarantee disruption. Low carb diets will deplete serotonin levels in as little as three weeks. Medications: Many medications affect NT levels. Diet pills stimulants, narcotics, virtually all recreational drugs and most psychotropics alter NT production. Aging: As we age brain cells get worse at making NTs; research shows that about 60% of adults over 40 years of age have some neurotransmitter deficiencies - not a comforting statistic. Heavy Metal Toxicity: Mercury, lead, cadmium, aluminum and arsenic are toxic metals that are evaluated in hair/tissue analysis and blood testing. All are found in our bodies, but elevated levels disrupt hormonal and NT function. Inflammation: Inflammatory processes occuring anywhere in the body will upset the normal balance of NTs. For example, inflammation interferes with the conversion of tryptophan to 5-HTP, reducing production of serotonin. Hormone imbalance: As we stated above, imbalance in hormone levels is interactive with HT levels and balance - one effects the other, and achieving balance of NTs requires attention to hormone levels as aging progresses. Genetic limitations: Some people are born with defective or impaired chemical systems for production and regulation of NTs - they usually have developmental and behavioral problems at an early age. They usually have relatives with mental illness and experience progressive symptoms and disability with aging. Neurotransmitter imbalance is popularly treated by using drugs to increase serotonin levels regardless of an individual's NT levels or balance - they are rarely measure before handing out happy pills, mostly the SSRIs (selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors) such as Paxil, Prozac, Zoltoft. All these drugs have well-known and nasty side effects because they interfere with critical chemical processes that effect other NTs production. They work well in only about 30% of cases, and generally only slightly better than placebo. Keeping a Healthy Brain With the exception of genetic deficiencies, most of the above-mentioned causes can be undone by lifestyle and nutritional changes or use of alternative therapies such as acupuncture, reflexology, hypnosis, NLP, EFT and meditation. Just plain walking has been shown to be as effective as Prozac for depression. The primary support for both NT balance and hormone balance, however, is proper nutrition. Neurotransmitter health is absolutely dependent on a balanced diet with proper amounts and types of proteins, fats and carbohydrates - no food group can be eliminated for long without serious consequences to brain health. Neurotoxins such as alcohol, caffeine, nicotine, MSG and sugar should be reduced or avoided. Vitamins B6, B12, Riboflavin and niacin are seen to be deficient in a high percentage of depressed people; restoring proper levels can make it melt away. Magnesium deficiency is widespread in the US, averaging about 250 mg/day, while 650mg/day is needed for minimal health; magnesium deficiency is linked to depression and causative in many cases. Two thirds of the brain is fat, and the essential fatty acids alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) and linoleic acid (LA) and other short-chain omega-3 fats such as EPA and DHA are essential to brain and NT function. Using Fat blockers for diet purposes is a sure way to become deficient in these important brain nutrients as well as the fat-soluble vitamins A, E and D. Mountains of research are now showing that vitamin D deficiencies are causative for many of the degenerative diseases of aging, including depression and likely Alzheimer's disease. Most NTs are made from proteins or amino acids. The ability to digest and assimilate proteins decreases with age, primarily because of reduced production of Hydrochloric acid in the stomach and reduced pepsin production. Getting amino acids across the blood-brain barrier is a complex process, but starts with digesting enough protein - from 40 to 70 grams per day for a sedentary person, and up to 150 grams for an athlete. Serotonin is made from tryptophan, an amino acid that is sparse in nature and hard to get into the brain because it competes with other amino acids for transport. It actually requires carbohydrates, and the production of insulin to move into the brain. That is why sugared anything is looked at as a mood enhancer, because the insulin increase effects transport of tryptophan into the brain and seronoin increases and we feel better. Serotonin is the primary NT involved in mood and appetite regulation, and needs carbohydrates for its production, explaining why extended low-carb diets lead to yo-yo cravings, binging, bulimia, seasonal affective disorder, and for women, more severe bouts of PMS. It also explains why people with low serotonin levels, like those under excess stress, depression, and the elderly gravitate to sweets to get them out of the dumps. Low serotonin leads to insomnia and heightened experience of pain - the body experiences more pain and life hurts more. Much of this information was taken from an article series by Dr. Sharon Norling, M.D. who practices integrative medicine in Westlake Village CA (818)707-9355 Strategy: Eliminate heavy metals; get your levels tested and work with an integrative physician to reduce their levels. Strategy: Knock down inflammation with anti-inflammatory foods (raw vegetables and fruit, nuts, oily fish, eliminate pro-inflammatory foods (processed foods, cooked meats, sugared anything), take Cod Liver Oil. Strategy: Eat whole, nature-made foods, preferably organic, in rich variety, with 2 times as much raw as cooked; eliminate simple sugars and starches and things that come in a box, bag or can - give up soft drinks. Strategy: If you are unhappy, and life hurts a lot, find an integrative physician who can measure and normalize your neurotransmitters and hormones. And, seek out a practitioner of hypnosis, NLP or EFT because these healing techniques can correct brain chemistry through non-chemical means rather cheaply and rapidly. Related Articles: brain health   mental health   emotional health

1. Parkinsons, Caffeine & Coffee - The Untold Truth by Ma Ku There Is A Lot Of Controversy Regarding A Study That Suggests That Caffeine Can Treat Parkinson's illness. However, in my opinion, caffeine cannot help without causing harm. Most people would be surprised to discover, how high caffeine ingestion cuts down the amount of dopamine nerve cell, well documented in my book, "The Truth About Caffeine". And, even if a person consumes it moderately, soon ...more...

2. Fight age-related memory loss! by Ray Collins Add these 3 fats to your diet to boost your brainpower By Ray Collins, author of The Good Life Letter www.goodlifeletter.co.uk It’s a cruel fact of life: our brains shrink as we get older. Many experts reckon that the average brain decrease 2% during each decade of adulthood. So as a man in his early forties, I’ve lost just over 4% of my brain. By the time I’m 60, I’ll ...more...

3. Easy Steps to Improve Your Brain Health Now by Alvaro Fernandez alvaro@sharpbrains.com. Best regards Alvaro Fernandez http://www.sharpbrains.com Easy Steps to Improve Your Brain Health Now We get this question all the time. Do you sometimes forget where you put your car keys? Do you worry too much? Is it true that crossword puzzles can help prevent Alzheimer's? In summary, the scientific literature recommends the following 4 pilla ...more...

4. HOW IS ATTENTION DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER (ADD/ADHD) DIAGN... by Theresa Twogood Assessing whether a certain individual is suffering from Attention Deficit with HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER or not is far harder than it appears to laymen like ourselves. This is because, not only does it’s symptoms largely overlap those of hyperthyroidism etc. they are also largely exhibited by ‘normal’ human beings some time or the other every single day. Therefore the first important step towards di ...more...

5. Your Brain Solves Problems While You Sleep by Laurence Magne New dream research shows sleep can be a powerful tool to solve your toughest dilemmas. A growing contingent of researchers believes that our night dreams are subconscious incubators capable of creating answers to life's enigmas -- a notion sprung from sleep labs where researchers peek inside the brain at rest. The data is clear: While asleep, the brain is capable of doing things ...more...

6. Manic Depression Can Result In Suicidal Attempts! by Neelima Reddy Bipolar disorder is not a single disorder; it is a combination of mood disorders. If an individual experiences one or more episodes of abnormally elevated moods, it is referred clinically as mania. A person who experiences manic episode will commonly experience depressive episodes or mixed episodes called manic depression. Manic depression is also called as bipolar affective dis ...more...

7. Are Side Effects of ADHD Drugs Worse Than ADHD Symptoms? by Alvin Toh alvintohw@yahoo.com.sg. Best regards Alvin Toh http://www.acceleratedresultsoptimization.com Are Side Effects of ADHD Drugs Worse Than ADHD Symptoms? Most ADHD drugs often leave a patient with side effects. In some circumstances, the side effects have been said to be just as bad, if not worse than the symptoms of ADHD themselves. So could this possibly be true? Unders ...more...

8. Serotonin Supplements: Finding A Way to Fight Neurotransmitter I... by Valerie Balandra The brain and body’s communication system bears some significant resemblance to the physical world’s communication system. As in the case of other communication systems, there are some designated entities in the communication system of the human body as well that includes the sender (brain), receiver (any other body part) and most importantly, the medium of communication (like the various neurotra ...more...

9. Cause Of Autism: Some People Think They Know What Causes Autism? by Nancy Clyne The fact is that no one really knows for sure what causes autism, but many professionals would most likely agree that autism is likely caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. For many parents, this uncertainty in what causes autism can be very frustrating. The topic of what causes autism has become extremely controversial. Many individuals are passionate about the ...more...

10. Do You Believe That A Good Tasty Lunch Can Make You Happy? by Yulia Berry While you are dieting, your brain cells try to save energy and you unintentionally want to avoid any stress, including strong positive emotions, like joy, happiness, ecstasy, etc. If your brain cells do not get optimal nutrition, they grow old and do not work properly. What kind of food can make us happy? Getting vitamins is very important. Stress weakens your immune system; free radicals ...more...

11. The Conditions Of Alzheimer's Dementia Explained by Clive Jenkins Alzheimers disease is fundamentally a form of mental disorder known as dementia. The disease is by far the most ever-present dementing illness of today with the more common form of Alzheimers disease known as late-onset Alzheimer's. So What's The definition Of Alzheimers? Alzheimers disease is considered to be primarily a condition of the elderly affecting mainly those over the ...more...

12. Paranoia and Dementia: They Often Go Hand-In-Hand by Molly Shomer Dementia and paranoia seem to go together hand-in-hand. Just try to imagine how frustrating and frightening it must be to live in a world where your things constantly disappear, someone else is in control of your money, conversations often don't make sense, and you wake up every morning in a strange place. This is the world of the dementia sufferer. Is it any wonder that suspicions and "paranoia" ...more...

13. New Brain Health Roadmap Announced by Alvaro Fernandez alvaro@sharpbrains.com. Best regards Alvaro Fernandez http://www.sharpbrains.com New Brain Health Roadmap Announced On June 10th something wonderful happened, and the media hasn't paid much attention yet. On that day, the National Public Health Road Map to Maintaining Cognitive Health was released by the CDC and the Alzheimer's Association. The authors proposed a s ...more...

14. Variety is the Spice of Brain Fitness: Part II ? Nutrition and I... by Simon Evans unicopia@comcast.net. Best regards Simon Evans http://www.thebraincode.com Variety is the Spice of Brain Fitness: Part II ? Nutrition and IQ This is not going to be an article about all the good foods you should eat and the stuff you should avoid. Many articles, including some of my own, have already beaten that horse. Most people know that carrots are better than ch ...more...

15. Chronic Back Pain Limits Brain Power by Jesse Cannone, CFT, CPRS You don't need to be a scientist to know that chronic back pain can have a negative impact on your life, often bringing with it anxiety and depression. It can affect your ability to work, sleep, and perform other daily activities. Until recently, it has been assumed that whatever changes occurred in the brain as a result of chronic back pain were only temporary and that the brain ...more...

16. Feed Your Brain the Right Foods by Lambert Klein sales@coral-cure.com. Best regards Lambert Klein http://www.coral-cure.com Feed Your Brain the Right Foods Want to increase your brain power? Maybe if you feed your brain the right foods, you can. We all would like to think clearer without the confusion. Imagine how productive and creative you can be if you could think sharper. Are you moody or depressed? Does your ...more...

17. Natural Health Cures - Don't Check Your Brain at the Door by Abigail Frank While researching an article for my site, I visited several popular forums featuring home health cures. I was surprised at the level of distrust and skepticism directed toward our health care system in general and pharmaceutical companies in particular. Although not a strong supporter of either, what struck me the most was the lack of thoughtful consistency when it came to natural health cures a ...more...

18. Do You Understand Homeopathic Health For ADHD Treatment? by Mike Selvon Homeopathic health may be one of the most plausible solutions for the confusing nature of ADHD or Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. This disorder, as complex as it is, may soon be affected by the nature of homeopathic medicine's growth in the field. Advances are being made each day to bring new medications and new solutions to light that will help those suffering with ADHD, and of ...more...

19. Stay Alert: Do Memory Gymnastics by Ms CiCi Stay Alert: Memory Gymnastics - The most likely causes of a forgetful memory include poor concentration due to brain-chemical imbalance, tiredness, depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders.  It is normal to become more absent-minded as we age, and in fact, most people over the age of 40 experience some memory loss. If you find you are more forgetful than usual, try these ...more...

20. Depression Uncovered! What You Should Know Before You Contribut... by Joe Barton Okay, maybe I could have picked different title but the truth is most people have bought into the lie that depression must be treated with personality-altering, anti-depressant drugs with horrible side-effects. Listen to this! Annually, more than $8 billion in the United States and $12 billion worldwide are given to doctors and prescription companies for antidepressant medications. Some docto ...more...

21. The Need for More Effective Alzheimer's Drugs by Morgan Hamilton Aging can really take its toll on the human body. We would not dread getting older so much if it didn't include the deterioration of our body. Well, at least I can live with the fact that we can acquire oodles of knowledge as we grow older. We would be good to go if we could just find a way to keep our bodies like they were at age 20. Then again, if these were the case, then we'd all be living for ...more...

22. Our Experience with Alzheimer's by Morgan Hamilton Any family will find it hard to deal with Alzheimer’s disease. My father-in-law was a joke telling, happy go lucky card playing person when I was married over 10 years ago. At first, we were unable to understand what started to happen to him so we just dismissed it as part of getting older. He would often forget what he was doing, or where he put the keys or some other odd thing. At that time, we ...more...

23. Mental and physical exercise delays dementia in fatal genetic di... by Merrin Rafferty Scientists at Melbourne’s Howard Florey Institute have discovered that mental and physical stimulation delays the onset of dementia in the fatal genetic disease, Huntington's disease. This Australian research opens up new therapeutic possibilities for other devastating and difficult to treat brain diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease where dementia is a key component. The ...more...

24. Multi Infarct Dementia Causes Symptoms Information with Treatmen... by Juliet Cohen Multi-infarct dementia is often the result of a series of small strokes. Most common cause of vascular dementia is the blockage of small arteries supplying areas of the brain. In classical stroke, large blood vessels are blocked, resulting in the death of brain tissue supplied by that artery. The second most common cause of dementia in older adults is vascular dementia, which affects the blood ves ...more...

25. Hormones And Your Depression by Stephen Lau stephencmlau@gmail.com. Best regards Stephen Lau http://www.longevityforyou.com Hormones And Your Depression Hormones form the biochemical basis of major depression. Estrogen, a female hormone produced in the ovaries, plays a pivotal role in your brain in that it increases the amount of mood-regulating neurotransmiiters, whose malfunction often triggers depression in ...more...

26. Mental Health - How to Read Mind? by Francis Adam Part of Brain Fitness is being able to read the emotions of other people. The better you are at this, the better you will be at interacting with people, either socially or in business. Like any skill, you can improve this social aspect of your emotional intelligence. Most of the time we don't even think about interpreting the intentions of others. We just do it naturally by reading their f ...more...

27. Use Ginkgo Biloba to Starve Off Alzheimer's and Dementia by Rudy Silva Dementia, Alzheimer's, and other mental diseases are accelerated by: * The lack of blood to the brain * The lack of oxygen to the brain * The lack of minerals and vitamins to the brain * The lack of glucose to the brain * Increase of toxins to the brain. The lack of blood to the brain is caused by arteriosclerosis - plack buildup along the arteries causing t ...more...

28. Strawberry nutrient protects against Alzheimer?s, study finds by Mike Adams steve.d@newstarget.com. Best regards Mike Adams http://www.newstarget.com Strawberry nutrient protects against Alzheimer?s, study finds A new study from researchers at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies has found that an antioxidant nutrient in strawberries may help improve memory and protect the brain from the onset of Alzheimer's disease. The researchers foun ...more...

29. Without Zinc You Are Headed Towards Dementia or Alzheimer's by Rudy Silva Zinc is one of those minerals that have been discovered necessary to hold off the onset of dementia or Alzheimer's. Most older people and those with dementia and other mental disorders have been found to be deficient in zinc. In most studies zinc has been shown to improve mental capacity in elders. To get zinc into your blood stream you need to have a specific acid that is excreted by th ...more...

30. Anger Management Therapy for Dementia Patients by Steve Hill Older people sometimes develop dementia, a somewhat common condition that results in mental and emotional confusion. Some of these people, often those who are institutionalized, display anger outbursts due to relatively mild provocations, such as an unwanted meal item. At other times the anger is warranted, as when another resident initiates a conflict. For reasons like these and others, anger man ...more...

31. Why are cigarettes so addictive? by Ramas Rankin CIGARETTES CONTAIN the drug nicotine. This drug stimulates dopamine release and elevates dopamine levels in the brain. Dopamine is known as the master addiction molecule and high levels in the brain reinforce drug abuse. Nicotine also stimulates the release of another substance called noradrenaline. Nicotine addicts become accustomed to high levels of these substances in the brain. They ...more...

32. Treating Alzheimer's Disease by Juliet Cohen Alzheimer's disease is a progressive, irreversible brain disorder. Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia among older people. Alzheimer' destroys a person's memory and ability to learn, reason, make judgments, communicate and carry out daily activities. Genetic factors are suspected, and dominant mutations in three different genes have been identified that account for a much ...more...

33. Five Reasons Why We Love Chocolate by Janette Vince It’s one of the most popular sweets of all time. Women crave it, men hoard it, and Aztec kings were said to have been the first to eat it. But why do we love chocolate so much? Following are just a few reasons why chocolate is so popular—and why you shouldn’t give it up completely, even if you’re on a diet! It melts in your mouth - Chocolate contains fat—that’s no surprise. The cocoa b ...more...

34. Brain Health: Are Women Right To Be More Concerned Than Men? by Michael Coleman I recently offered free copies of my new book on brain health in return for a review. Guess what... over 70% of the respondents were women. A surprising result...? No not really! Compared with men... Women are more willing to ask for help and not afraid to admit if they don't understand something. Women like to do research, gather information and get to the facts. Women are less likely t ...more...

35. Memory Loss by Dr. Michael L. Johnson Memory loss affects thousands of people every year. Memory loss is often attributed to “getting older." In reality, age-related memory loss is a fallacy. The latest scientific research indicates that memory loss is actually a direct result of decreased use of the memory centers within the brain. At first, memory changes often appear subtle. For example, you may walk into a room ...more...

36. How Can SAMe Supplements Help Me? by chester ku-lea What is SAMe? SAMe (S-adenosylmethionine) is a naturally occurring compound found in all human tissue and organs. It is a "building block" necessary for the production of many compounds produced by your body, and is used in over 35 different biochemical reactions. SAMe actually donates a part of itself to form these new compounds through a process called methylation or transmethylation. SAME is ...more...

37. Neurotransmitter Tests: Diagnosing the Problem to Suggest a Solu... by Valerie Balandra Neurotransmitters are the chemical messengers of the nervous system, essential for relaying signals within the brain and communicating with all organ systems of the body. A neurotransmitter imbalance is an underlying cause for the improper functioning of the communication system of the body. Recent medical surveys report that eight out of ten people are found to suffer from neurotransmitte ...more...

38. Use Ginkgo Biloba to Starve Off Alzheimer's and Dementia by Rudy Silva Dementia, Alzheimer's, and other mental diseases are accelerated by the, * The lack of blood to the brain * The lack of oxygen to the brain * The lack of minerals and vitamins to the brain * The lack of glucose to the brain * Increase of toxins to the brain. The lack of blood to the brain is caused by arteriosclerosis - plack buildup along the arteries causi ...more...

39. Can Aromatherapy Heal Depression? by George Key Aromatherapy can be very beneficial for those struggling with depression. And while, it will not be able to cure or totally eliminate feelings of depression, it can certainly be very helpful. This is for several reasons. One reason is that aromatherapy taps into the power of smell. In the brain, smell and the emotional centers are tied very closely together. Essential oils help to pump ...more...

40. The Down Low by Sandy Cosser Cancer is not a naturally happy subject and one of its unhappy psychological side effects is depression. Roughly 50% of cancer patients suffer from some form of diagnosable psychiatric disorder during the course of their illness. Depression affects around 15 – 25% of cancer patients and major depression affects about 25% of those who have cancer. Rather understandable figures when one considers th ...more...

41. Menopausal Anxiety: fiction or reality? by Nathalie Fiset Menopausal anxiety is a relatively common problem and needs to be addressed early to avoid letting the situation getting out of proportion. Many causes can be attributed to menopausal anxiety. The fact that a woman going through menopause experiences an important hormone imbalance and a relative progesterone insufficiency can be one. Another cause of menopause anxiety can be attributed to the fact ...more...

42. Blueberry and green tea containing supplement protects against s... by Dr. Cesario V. Borlongan Cell Transplantation Center of Excellence for Aging and Brain Repair Tampa, Florida (March 4, 2008) - A unique dietary supplement called NutraStem - has been shown to have beneficial effects following experimental stroke. A nutritional supplement product, NutraStem also known as NT-020, is a proprietary formulation of blueberry, green tea, vitamin D3 and carnosine extracts- a combina ...more...

43. Recognizing ADHD Symptoms In Children by Alvin Toh alvintohw@yahoo.com.sg. Best regards Alvin Toh http://www.acceleratedresultsoptimization.com Recognizing ADHD Symptoms In Children Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder(ADHD) is a common neurobehavioral disorder that is characterized by inattention coupled with hyperactivity or impulsivity. The result is impaired function. Over 4 million children aged 4 ? 17 hav ...more...

44. Alzheimer's Disease by Jeff Stats Along with the development of modern technologies, going to the moon and other exciting developments humans face the threat of diseases that affect the process of life and can be lethal in some cases. One of the illnesses that have a great affect on people’s behavior is Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Alzheimer’s disease is the degenerative disease of the brain among old people from which there is no re ...more...

45. Autism, Probiotics And The Lowly Sandwich by Jean Shaw My son has autism and like many autistic individuals his diet had been a major issue. It is getting better though. Until he developed autism after his MMR vaccine my son would eat anything. He was a delight to feed. However, things changed and for years he literally lived on Hoola Hoops. They are small round potato rings with very little nutritional value what so ever. The ...more...

46. Fitness begins from brain by john parker Fitness is well being of a person. It does not only mean well being or healthy body but the truth is that fitness means healthy and fit brain. It is fit and healthy brain that can inculcate fresh thought and ideas for better living. Hence, the role foe healthy brain has been recognized. The health of brain plays a critical role in almost everything you do: thinking, feeling, remembering, working, ...more...

47. How to cope with agitation in your loved one who has Alzheimer's by William G. Hammond, J.D. Many times, understanding the meaning of a word can give us great insight into the issue at hand. What is agitation? · Extreme emotional disturbance. (The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language) · A stirring up or arousing; disturbance of tranquility; disturbance of mind that shows itself by physical excitement. (Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary). · A mental state of e ...more...

48. Learning Two Languages Slows Down Dementia by Martin Mak makky@pacific.net.sg. Best regards Martin Mak http://www.MightyMemory.com Learning Two Languages Slows Down Dementia Study Shows Bilingualism Slows Dementia Onset Researchers find that probable Alzheimer's patients who speak two languages get dementia four years later than their peers Speaking two languages delays the onset of memory lapses, neural dysfunction in t ...more...

49. Diabetes and Depression - Could You Be Damaging Yourself More Th... by aron wallad Isn’t being depressed bad enough? Diabetes can develop if you suffer from depression. Why can depression cause diabetes? The hormone cortisol may be the topic. If you are depressed a higher intensity of this hormone can be produced in the body. When more cortisol is secreted insulin sensitivity may be diminished and increase fat deposits. In the four states of Pennsylvania ...more...

50. Caregivers--Don't Become Control Freaks by Lynne Taetzsch Copyright 2006 Lynne Taetzsch When you?re a primary caregiver responsible for the well-being of your father, mother or another loved one, it?s easy to become obsessed with the details. You want to make sure your Dad isn?t eating rotten food, so you smell everything in his refrigerator. You note that your Mom?s hair is oily and stringy, so you insist she let you wash it. ?And take off that ...more...

51. The ABCs of Multi-Vitamins and the Fight to Prevent Alzheimer?s ... by Frank Mangano Copyright 2006 Frank Mangano The body and mind become diseased when one of two basic needs is not met. One, toxins or foreign substances enter the body, and two, the body does not have the right nutrients or reserves to fight the invasion. The first line of defense against disease of the body or mind, including the predator known as Alzheimer?s disease, is to give it a daily source of pure ...more...

52. What You Should Know about Alzheimer's Disease by Jon Arnold A neurodegenerative disease that is mostly found in people over the age of 60 and affects approximately twenty four million people worldwide is called Alzheimer’s disease. It is a disease that leaves many of its sufferers with little to no cognitive abilities in the most severe of cases. It is heartbreaking for those whose loved ones have Alzheimer’s and it is frustrating for those that suffer wit ...more...

53. Fighting Alzheimer's Disease by Don Merrill Fighting Alzheimers Disease Alzheimer’s disease is a disorder of the mind. The disorder often causes progressive memory loss, as well as robbing those who suffer the disease of their intellectual purpose. Alzheimer’s disease runs along the course and aside dementias. Dementias are a cognitive deterioration, as well as intellectual decaying of the mind. The disorder progressively works to ...more...

54. ATTENTION DEFICIT DISORDER: by steve lamb ADHD and ADD, Causing stress and disbelief? When you were a kid, didn't you run about all the time for no particular cause? Didn't you continuously turn your concentration from one thing to the other? Didn't you have a tough time sitting motionless? Didn't you have a tough time concentrating on one thing, for long span of time? You w ...more...

55. Meditation Shown to Increase Grey Matter and Prevent Alzheimer?s... by Frank Mangano Copyright 2006 Frank Mangano Researchers from some of the country's most prestigious medical centers have found in their studies that meditation can impact the thickness of the cortical tissue in the brain. This type of change is significant in the way the tissue is then able to process sensory, cognitive, and emotional responses. The group of researchers from Harvard, Yale, the Massa ...more...

56. ADDICTION RECOVERY by Mary F. Zesiewicz, MD Copyright 2006 Mary F. Zesiewicz, MD Addictions are pervasive in our culture. And addictions to alcohol or drugs aren?t the only ones out there. Addiction to shopping, sex, gambling, video games, are but a few. Addictive habits are forms of dependence. They are habits- performed time after time- done so often, they are performed in involuntary or compulsive fashion. Ask any addic ...more...

57. ADHD Diet: Treating ADHD Naturally by Alvin Toh alvintohw@yahoo.com.sg. Best regards Alvin Toh http://www.acceleratedresultsoptimization.com ADHD Diet: Treating ADHD Naturally If you are looking for an alternative treatment to ADHD, you may want to consider making dietary changes. Dietary changes have been effective in controlling the symptoms of ADHD in some children and adult. Essentially, an adhd diet is about e ...more...

58. Aneurysm - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment by Juliet Cohen An aneurysm is a bulge in the wall of an artery. Aneurysms may result from congenital defects, preexisting conditions such as high blood pressure and atherosclerosis (the buildup of fatty deposits in the arteries), or head trauma. Aneurysms most commonly occur in arteries at the base of the brain and in the aorta. Aneurysms may involve arteries or veins and have various causes. They are commonly f ...more...

59. Brain Health and Your Longevity by Stephen Lau stephencmlau@gmail.com. Best regards Stephen Lau http://www.longevityforyou.com Brain Health and Your Longevity Your longevity has everything to do with your brain health. My previous article "Heart Surgery and Your Longevity" emphasized the importance of heart health to your overall health and well-being. As you age, your heart health declines, thereby affecting your ...more...

60. There is Hope for Schizophrenia Treatment by Mitamins Team You may have seen the Oscar-winning film, "A Beautiful Mind". This film tells the story of John Forbes Nash, Nobel Prize winner with severe schizophrenia. The film details how Nash overcame years of suffering from schizophrenia to win the Noble Prize. If you suffer from schizophrenia, watching this film may give you some courage and hope. What Is Schizophrenia?more...

61. Heavy Metals Anchor Alzheimer's In Your Brain by Rudy Silva Heavy metals and aluminum are in every part of our environment and food. These elements are deadly and you will benefit if you are aware of what they do where they come from. Brain tissue has an attraction for heavy metals such as lead, mercury, cadmium, and others. When heavy metals appear in the brain they can interfere with your natural brain chemistry. This interference, overtime, c ...more...

62. Depression And Sleep Disorder - A Few Helpful Tips To Get You Sl... by Joe Stewart Being depressed can have a huge impact in all areas of your life, such as relationships with friends, family and employment and has been proven to even have adverse effects on your physical health. Do you ever get "full body" depressed, where you can feel it from head to toe? I'm talking 100% lack of energy that leaves you feeling like a wet noodle. Do you get to where you have difficu ...more...

63. Use Iron and B Vitamins To Improve Your Brain Activity by Rudy Silva Iron and Dementia In the US iron deficiency has been found to be a major problem in people of all ages. Everyone knows the lack of iron causes anemia. Iron is the center of our red blood cells, which allow oxygen to be carried throughout your body and into your brain. Your brain uses over 20% of the oxygen available in the blood. Lack of oxygen has a major impact on your brain's health ...more...

64. Do You Realize What Alzheimer's Is? by james ellison Most people have found out about Alzheimer’s disease along with a specified expectation of what, exactly it means. It is well noted that it affects memory loss. But have you ever asked yourself what Alzheimer’s Disease really is? Alzheimer’s disease is a kind of dementia and a brain disturbance impacting a individual’s capacity to carry out their regular every day activities. The most usu ...more...

65. No Brain! No Health! by Stewart Levison cweng_loh@yahoo.com. Best regards Stewart Levison http://www.anti-agingsecrets.com No Brain! No Health! Growing older and learning from your mistakes is a clear sign that our brain is improving. The brain will improve as we learn. In return, it helps us to live a better life. We live longer and learn new skills that help us to develop a healthier way of living. Our ...more...

66. Anxiety and Panic Attacks -- What Has Worked For Me by Kathy Love Anxiety is very wide spread today because of our busy lifestyles and poor eating habits. I myself have struggled with anxiety and panic attacks for about 14 years. I have tried lots of different ways to cope or possibly cure my anxiety and thought I should share a few things that have worked for me. One thing I learned is that the adrenal glands are very important in understanding anxiety. ...more...

67. How To Meditate For A Longer, More Restful Sleep by Jon Rhodes Many older people seem to have sleep difficulties. It is either difficult to get to sleep, or difficult to maintain it. We can make great gains in both areas if we learn to correctly wind down. Several years ago I found myself struggling to get to sleep. In order to combat this I came up with my own meditation. I have shared this with many other people, and it almost always helps. Gi ...more...

68. Attention Deficit Disorder by Mitamins Team It's a fact - poor nutrition is linked to ADD Poor nutrition has been linked to ADD, learning disorders, memory problems, reduced IQ, behavior problems and depression. The vast majority of the U.S. population is deficient in at least one of the vitamins, minerals or essential fatty acids that impact b ...more...

69. Caring for Parents with Alzheimer's Disease by Boone Swann Alzheimer’s disease directly affects about four million people in the United States, though it affects many more of us indirectly. While we may not be suffering from the disease personally, many of us are in a position where it has become necessary to care for someone with Alzheimer’s. To understand how best to cope with a parent diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, you must first have a clear understand ...more...

70. Autism, Probiotics And An Ideal World by Jean Shaw In an ideal world my son would be voicing his opinions, making decisions, going out with his friends, learning to drive, furthering his education, managing his finances and hopefully turning into a well adjusted, sociable young adult. However, this is not an ideal world. My son has autism. He is almost eighteen years old and I wonder, like all mothers, what the future holds for h ...more...

71. Without Zinc You Are Headed Towards Dementia or Alzheimer's by Rudy Silva Zinc is one of those minerals that you need to hold off the onset of dementia or Alzheimer's. Most older people and those with dementia and other mental disorders have been found to be deficient in zinc. In most studies zinc has been shown to improve mental capacity in elders. To get zinc into your blood stream you need to have a specific acid that is excreted by the pancreas. This acid ...more...

72. Double Your Brain Power With Food! by Lynnee Davidson Copyright 2006 Lynnee Davidson It?s a well known, stated fact: ?Healthy mind, healthy body: healthy body, healthy mind.? So in the same way that a proper diet is good for your body, so it is for your brain. And the foods that you consume, whether ?good? or ?bad? can possibly influence your brain power. Your brain is the greediest organ in your body, with some quite specific di ...more...

73. How To Keep Your Brain Healthy And Your Mind As Sharp As A Tack ... by Michael Coleman Brain health shouldn’t be something you first start thinking about in middle- or old-age. Just as you need to exercise your body throughout life to keep it healthy so too does your brain require a daily workout to keep it vital and alert. It is common for people to experience a gradual decline in their mental abilities as they age. We are told that this is normal and is the result of age ...more...

74. Memory lane: Older persons with more schooling spend fewer years... by Suzanne Wu University of Southern California - Memory lane: Older persons with more schooling spend fewer years with cognitive loss Those with high school education live 2.5 years more without mental impairment, study finds Those with at least a high school education spend more of their older years without cognitive loss - including the effects of Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and dementia -- but d ...more...

75. Support Groups: How to Make the Most of Them by Lynne Taetzsch Copyright 2006 Lynne Taetzsch Over the past six years, I have belonged to two support groups, and they?ve both been helpful in different ways. In my bipolar support group, I was one of the sufferers, though our group also welcomed family members and friends. My Alzheimer?s support group was for caregivers of those with Alzheimer?s or other types of dementia. Both groups helped me immeasur ...more...

76. New Method Discovered for Early Detection of Alzheimer's Disease by Joshua Daly A CBS story shows that the 4.5 million people that suffer from Alzheimer’s disease is expected to triple to more than 13 million by 2050. Although there is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, early detection is a very key element to successfully fight the disease and scientists found a new early detection method. Dr. Norman Relkin of Weill Cornell Medical College in New York told CBS new, “R ...more...

77. Alzheimer's Disease - The Epidemic of the Future by Anne Wolski Because we now live in an aging community, it is common to see people living well into their eighties and sometimes longer. As a result, Alzheimer’s disease will affect many more lives in the future. In fact, it is estimated that within twenty years, around thirty million people worldwide, will suffer from this insidious disease. Alzheimer’s disease is a degenerative condition that ...more...

78. Adhd Causes Symptoms Information with Treatment by Juliet Cohen ADHD is caused by changes in brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. These chemicals help send messages between nerve cells in the brain. The neurotransmitter dopamine (pronounced: doe -puh-meen), for example, stimulates the brain's attention centers. ADHD arises from a combination of various genes, many of which affect dopamine transporters. Dopamine transporter levels that indicate ADHD, but t ...more...

79. Vacuuming Boosts Health ? If you Believe It by Simon Evans unicopia@comcast.net. Best regards Simon Evans http://www.thebraincode.com Vacuuming Boosts Health ? If you Believe It If you have a career that requires some physical labor, realize that you are getting some exercise and feel good about that. A new study shows that understanding the exercise benefits of your daily routine makes them even better. Housework is Exerc ...more...

80. Loss of Odor Perception Might Signal Alzheimer's by Ed Bagley edbagley1@juno.com. Best regards Ed Bagley http://www.edbagleyblog.com Loss of Odor Perception Might Signal Alzheimer's Copyright © 2007 Ed Bagley Imagine my recoil when I read the above Associated Press headline recently. The story went on to detail the first study that linked loss of smell to Alzheimer's. Difficulty identifying odors was associated with a higher r ...more...

81. The Importance of Exercising Your Brain by Cole Carson It’s no secret that to maintain a healthy and happy lifestyle, one must consistently exercise their body, but very few people know that you must also exercise your brain as well! Your brain, like your biceps, is a muscle. And like the rest of the muscles in your body, your brain will grow weak when not put to good use. The key difference in the brain and your other muscles though is that while y ...more...

82. Eating Disorders and Their Effects on The Heart and Brain by Bryan Miller We've all heard that eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia, and other popular "starvation" diets, all have adverse effects on the internal organs. We've heard that they cause devastating damage to the digestive tract, kidney damage, and liver problems, but do we ever hear about the main two organs in our entire body? Anorexia nervosa is claimed to be a psychological disorder i ...more...

83. Alzheimer's Disease Information: When Someone You Love Has Been ... by Paul C Has someone you love recently been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease? If so, you probably have many questions about the disease and are concerned about getting the best Alzheimer's disease information available. In the early course of Alzheimer's your affected family member or loved one may have only mild impairment of their thought processes which may manifest as problems with short ter ...more...

84. Parkinsons Disease Causes Symptoms Information with Treatment by Juliet Cohen Parkinson's is found all over the world. Exact global figures are not always available, though it is estimated that four million people worldwide have the condition. Parkinson's disease belongs to a group of conditions called movement disorders. Parkinson's disease afflicts 1 to 1 1/2 million people in the United States. The disorder occurs in all races but is somewhat more prevalent among Caucasi ...more...

85. Depression and mental disorders can be prevented and treated wit... by Mike Adams Copyright 2006 Truth Publishing A study published last year in the journal Biological Psychiatry shows that certain foods are better at treating depression than antidepressant drugs. The study found that omega-3 fatty acids and foods high in a compound called uridine were able to reduce the symptoms of depression as well as or better than three different antidepressant drugs that were tested ...more...

86. Aging Wisely: 10 Tips for Caring for Aging Parents by Shannon Martin More than 50 million people provide care for a chronically ill, disabled or aged family member or friend during any given year. Individuals caring for their aging parents face challenges on a multitude of fronts: financial, emotional, medical and legal. Here are some steps to take now and in the future from Shannon Martin, a Clearwater, Florida-based geriatric care manager at Aging Wisely (www. ...more...

87. Folic Acid, Alzheimer's Foe by vincent platania Did you know that Alzheimer's disease is the most common type of dementia in the old and it affects almost half of all patients with dementia? Up to three percent of people sixty five years old show signs of the disease, while twenty five to fifty percent of people who are eighty five years old have symptoms of Alzheimer's. An even larger number of people have some of the signs of Alzheimer’s with ...more...

88. For Loved Ones with Short Term Memory Loss: Put It in Writing. by Lynne Taetzsch Copyright 2006 Lynne Taetzsch Communicating with those who have short term memory loss is difficult and frustrating. If you tell them you will visit tomorrow at three p.m.; that they should brush their teeth in the morning; or any number of things you want them to remember, your words may fly away before they can be acted upon. This is one reason it is recommended that signs be used in the ...more...

89. How to Think Faster ? Because It Isn?t That Simple! by Alicia Power Copyright 2006 Alicia Power Ever wondered how coffee drives your brain into action ? and where we?d be without it? There?s no doubt that when it?s time to think fast ? we humans regularly reach for ?steroids?. Our instinct is to SHAKE AWAKE the neuro peptides in our cerebral cortex ? and get them dancing in a polka frenzy. Imagine a billion steroidal peptides (neuro-chemicals) madly ho ...more...

90. The Brain Food Recipe by Douglas Alp Copyright 2006 Douglas Alp In the past it was believed that your intelligence was something that was inherited or that was a genetic thing that had to do with your parents but that may not be a total truth. It is now believed that your intelligence can be determined by your environment, life experiences and your diet. So is there a brain food recipe that one can start eating to make them m ...more...

91. Treatments for ADHD by Juliet Cohen Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a condition that becomes apparent in some children in the preschool and early school years. According to a majority of medical research in the United States, as well as other countries. It is estimated that between 3 and 5 percent of children have ADHD, or approximately 2 million children in the United States. ADHD is a common behavioral disorder ...more...

92. Keeping A Healthy Brain While You Age by Eze ThankGod An active mind is a healthy mind, so keeping your mind sharp is a good portion of aging well and living a better life as you grow older. If you continue to challenge and engage your brain with activities such as continued learning and healthy dieting you can maintain your healthy brain. Some activities like completing daily crossword puzzles or learning a hobby, or maybe exploring a new language w ...more...

93. Choices in Dementia Care by Jeffrey Gold “My mother doesn’t remember to turn off the stove.” “My husband takes a walk and doesn’t always seem to know his way home.” “My wife sometimes stops in mid-sentence and can’t complete her thought.” “My father sometimes forgets who my kids are.” These and many other concerns, indicate the possibility of dementia. Dementia is a slow or progressing decline in mental abilities, such as c ...more...

94. Find the Cure by Finding the Cause by Valerie Balandra Depression is a medical illness that involves your thoughts, mood, and body. It affects the way a person eats and sleeps, the way one feels about oneself, and the way one thinks about things. Common Symptoms of Depression: • Feeling sad, blue, and incapable of feeling pleasure. • Change in appetite. Eating too much or not enough. • Changes in sleeping habits. • Feeling ...more...

95. Facts About Alzheimer's Disease by Carol Bond Facts About Alzheimer's Disease "Alzheimer's Disease" is the term used to describe a degenerative disorder marked by certain brain changes, regardless of the age of onset. Alzheimer's disease is not a normal part of aging -- and it is not something that inevitable happens in later life. Rather, it is one of the degenerative disorders, a group of brain diseases that lead to the loss of mental and ...more...

96. Improving Brain Functioning For Healthy Aging: Interview with sc... by Alvaro Fernandez alvaro@sharpbrains.com. Best regards Alvaro Fernandez http://www.sharpbrains.com Improving Brain Functioning For Healthy Aging: Interview with scientist Jerri Edwards Today we are fortunate to interview Dr. Jerri Edwards, an Associate Professor at University of South Florida's School of Aging Studies and Co-Investigator of the influencial ACTIVE study. Dr. Edwards was t ...more...

97. ADHD Treatment: Ritalin Side Effects by Alvin Toh alvintohw@yahoo.com.sg. Best regards Alvin Toh http://www.acceleratedresultsoptimization.com ADHD Treatment: Ritalin Side Effects Ritalin is a drug commonly prescribed many doctors to treat patients with ADHD symptoms. However, Ritalin has also been used illegally for many years and it has been proven to be addictive and harmful to some extent. Whilst the drug can hel ...more...

98. Understanding Bipolar Disorder by Anne Wolski Copyright 2006 Anne Wolski Bipolar disorder, once known as manic depression, is an illness where the sufferer alternatively experiences both extreme joy and terrible desolation. Medication and therapy are generally used to stabilize the condition. Sufferers are often detached, introverted, and emotionally sensitive even though during the manic phase their behaviour takes on a very extr ...more...

99. Frontal Lobe Dementia Causes Symptoms Information with Treatment by Juliet Cohen Frontal lobe of the brain is the part that governs our mood and behaviour. Histologically, the frontal lobe dementias are proven to be characterized by Pick's cells (Pick's disease). At the present time, these diverse histological types are clinically indistinguishable. FTD can develop at almost any age in either gender. The series included 66% males and 34% females. Pick's disease occurs in the c ...more...

100. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, ADHD, has a simple cau... by Mike Adams Copyright 2006 Truth Publishing New research is appearing now that's showing the link between the consumption of food additives by children ? especially food colorings ? and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. Well-informed parents have long realized that the consumption of food additives causes hyperactivity in their children, but most conventional doctors have dismissed the ...more...