Thursday, April 21, 2011

Martha's Minute: The Amazing Brain

Martha’s Favorite Brain Books:

Martha’s Favorite Brain Books:
·         The Brain that Changes Itself – Dr. Norman Doidge
·         Change Your Brain, Change Your Body – Dr. Daniel Amen
·         Evolve Your Brain - Joe Dispenza
·         Keep Your Brain Alive – Lawrence C. Katz & Manning Rubin
·         Synaptic Self – Joseph LeDoux
·         Brain Longevity – Dharma Singh Khalsa, MD
·         Mindscapes – Lee G. Woolley
·         Train Your Mind Change Your Brain – Sharon Belgey
·         The Brain Workout Book – Snowdon Parlette
·         Super Brain Power – Dane Spotts

Want to support a brighter future? Call to set up an office visit -Especially if you’re experiencing warning signs that may indicate age-related cognitive decline.

 

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Martha's Minute: The Amazing Brain - Deficiencies Related to Stress

Magnesium deficiencies shown to enhance reactions to stress


The mineral magnesium is important for the heart, muscles, kidneys, teeth, and bones. It can help reduce stress, depression, and insomnia, as well as activate certain enzymes that provide energy to the body so that it can function properly. Magnesium is available in many food sources including tofu, nuts, green leafy vegetables, legumes, whole grains, oatmeal, and bananas. However, most people in the United States probably do not get as much magnesium as they should from their diet. Magnesium deficiency can result in an increased susceptibility to damage caused by physical or emotional stress. It also increases production of stress hormones that can have devastating effects on health when elevated for long periods.

According to Dr. Mildred Seelig in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition, "magnesium deficiency intensifies adverse reactions to stress that can be life-threatening." Dr. Seelig concluded that "worth consideration and trial is the possibility that higher than usual magnesium intake, from a magnesium-rich diet or from supplementing the usual diet with magnesium salts, might be protective against damage caused by the usual vicissitudes of life and unusual stresses."

J Am Coll Nutr 1994;13(5):429-46.
Advanced Nutrition Publications ©2002

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

MARTHA’S MINUTE: THE AMAZING BRAIN: NUTRITIONAL SUPPORT FOR BRAIN HEALTH


Ginkgo biloba extract enhances mental efficiency in elderly patients with mild to moderate memory impairment
Ginkgo biloba, a tree native to the Far East that is capable of living up to 1,000 years, is known for its resistance to diseases, pollution, and many insects. Extracts from the dried leaves of this tree have been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for centuries to treat symptoms associated with cerebral insufficiency (a lack of blood flow to the brain). These symptoms include memory impairment and poor concentration.
Several previous studies have demonstrated the positive effects of Ginkgo biloba extract on cognitive performance, which may be of great interest to elderly individuals with memory impairment.
In order to confirm the results of these studies, researchers conducted a 6-month study on 31 patients over the age of 50 with mild to moderate memory impairment. Patients were treated with either 40 mg of a standardized Ginkgo biloba extract three times per day or placebo (untreated). A variety of tests were performed at weeks 0, 12, and 24 to assess signs of cognitive impairment.
According to G. Rai and colleagues in Current Medical Research and Opinion, "The results in patients receiving Ginkgo biloba extract were found to be significantly superior to those of patients receiving placebo..."
Researchers concluded that "...Ginkgo biloba extract...has a beneficial effect on mental efficiency in elderly patients showing mild to moderate memory impairment of organic origin."
Curr Med Res Opin 1991;12(6):350-55.
Advanced Nutrition Publications ©2002

Saturday, April 9, 2011

Brain Activity - Reading & Writing

Reading and writing on a daily basis are a great brain workout, especially when you’re learning or expressing something new. These 2 R’s help engage the hippocampus—the major memory component of your brain. The more you stimulate and massage your hippocampi the better your chances of reducing the risk of memory loss and other forms of dementia. For an added brain stretcher, try to reading words backwards or writing with your non-dominant hand.

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

The Source of Most Weight Issues

According to Dr. Tran Tien, “The cause of most weight issues in a modern society is insulin dysfunction. A diet grossly disproportionate in its share of saturated fats and sugars, such as in breads, cereals, muffins, cakes, pastries, pasta, pizza, rice, corn - very much like the North American diet - causes the pancreas to produce an overabundance of insulin, which stays in the system and puts the blood sugar level in a negative balance.” 

An overproduction of insulin also leads to hypoglycemia or low glycemia, which in turn induces constant sugar cravings and weight gain. Insulin’s primary function is to regulate blood sugar levels however it is also the hormone that facilitates the transport of fat (triglycerides) into the fat cells. Even worse, it "locks" the fat in the fat cell, preventing it to be used as a source of energy.  Now, because the blood sugar has dropped (and we can’t access the fat as a fuel source) it creates "sugar cravings' and the vicious cycle begins again.  In other words, an over abundance of insulin causes weight gain.

With the protocol's I implement with my clients, they will transform the body's ability to digest sugars properly by regulating insulin levels. How? By giving the pancreas a well-deserved break and by limiting simple and complex carbs until the weight loss goal is achieved.

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Martha's Minute: The Amazing Brain

Martha's Minute: Scientists followed 700 nuns for more than 20 years. An interesting finding was that certain types of intellectual activity and stimulation could protect against many types of cognitive decline. (Martha's Minute: The Amazing Brain, Thursday, April 21 - 6:00 p.m.)

Friday, April 1, 2011

Martha's Minute - Brain Facts

In 2006, the ACTIVE Study, funded by National Institute of Health, demonstrated that older adults could improve their brain abilities with the correct training. Certain mental exercises can partially offset the expected decline in older adults' thinking skills and show promise for maintaining cognitive abilities needed to do everyday tasks. Some of the gains from training were seen to be beneficial 5 years later