Brain Function

W elcome to the second video in my series on maximum health and

high energy living! In this one, I share some natural methods to improve
your memory and mood. If senior moments are slowing you down, or if you feel
like your brain is in a fog more than youd like, youll find lots of helpful advice here.
Your brain is the most critical part of your body. When its tired, youre tired
which is why you will want to supercharge your brain. Start with a nutritious diet,
one thats high in fiber and rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, the best source of
antioxidants. Antioxidants from foods protect the brain from damage and inflam-
mation that can lead to poor memory.
Make sure to get enough protein. Inadequate protein often leads to blood
sugar problems, which are linked to memory and mood problems.
Make sure that your diet includes plenty of healthful omega-3 fatty acids
from coldwater fish, such as salmon, sardines, trout. Walnuts, too. Studies show that
omega-3 fatty acids help with depression, anxiety and memory and that people who
have the highest levels of omega-3s have the lowest rates of Alzheimers disease.
Fruits are also brain protective, especially blueberries and pomegranates.
What foods cause brain problems? Too much simple sugarwhite breads,
desserts, sodas. They elevate your blood sugaryour body responds by elevating
the hormone insulin and that creates inflammation in your body and your brain.
With some of my patients, I find that artificial sweeteners, preservatives
and artificial coloring agents disrupt brain function. If youre having problems with
memory, please avoid them.
Supplements are very effective in helping people with memory. A key nutri-
ent is magnesium. Magnesium is found in whole grains as well as green vegetables,
but most people dont get enough magnesium through diet.
For my patients who are struggling with depression, I recommend a fantastic
supplement thats very well researched. Its known as SAMe. Studies show its as
beneficial as pharmaceutical antidepressants for mild to moderate depression. You
can get it at your local health-food store.
 Many people have low levels of B vitamins, especially folic acid, which
results in memory and mood problems. Vitamin B-12 is important for the entire
nervous system, especially the brain.
A newer supplement thats getting phenomenal results among patients who
have serious memory problems is made from jellyfish. Studies have shown that in
as little as three weeks, this supplement can provide significant improvements in
short-term memory.
What else should you do to protect your brain? Take it easy on the alcohol
because that can be a depressant and it destroys brain cells. And if you smoke,
youve got to quit. Its just too damaging to your brain.
And heres something for you couch potatoes: A recent study showed that
playing video games improved certain brain skills, such as planning, decision mak-
ing and impulse control, among men and women in their late 60s. The best ones
are turn-taking strategy games that involve task switching, memory, visual short-term
recall and reasoning. Examples are the games Rise of Nations (Microsoft) and the
Civilization series (Microprose).
Whats also critical for your brain functionand you wont probably hear this
from your doctoris hormone balance. I always test hormone balance in patients
with memory or mood problems. Hormone imbalance is a factor in many other con-
ditions like weight gain, extreme fatigue, depression, anxiety, even crankiness. Thats
the topic of my next video. Stay tuned.

Mark A. Stengler, NMD, licensed naturopathic medical doctor and

founder and medical director of the Stengler Center for Integrative
Medicine, Encinitas, Californiaadjunct associate clinical professor at
the National College of Natural Medicine, Portland, Oregonauthor of
numerous books, including The Natural Physicians Healing Therapies
and coauthor of Prescription for Natural Cures (both from Bottom Line
Books)and author of the Bottom Line/Natural Healing newsletter.

www.highenergyforlife.com

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