Brain Health Series: Lifestyle Choices

exercise man and dogResearch has found that next to aging, the most influential factors in determining one’s susceptibility to Alzheimer’s disease are lifestyle and environmental factors. Things like sleep, stress, exercise and meditation can all help improve cognitive function and maybe even delay the onset of dementia.

Exercise: Aerobic exercise has been shown to increase the size of the hippocampus, one of the primary brain regions for memory and cognitive function. Plus, when you exercise, you generally feel better about yourself. When you feel healthy, you look better, blood flow to the brain is improved and your body runs better altogether. Continue reading “Brain Health Series: Lifestyle Choices”

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Brain Health Series: Food For Thought

salmon broccoliBrain health is a critical part of overall health that many people tend to neglect. We all know that to have a better quality life, exercise, sleep and healthy diet all play an important role. But these factors are also important for brain health. More and more research is showing that lifestyle factors can have profound effects on the progression of cognitive decline. In this brain series, I will be looking at diet, exercise, sleep, stress and supplements, and how they are part of important steps to help preserve and maintain optimal brain function, particularly as we age.

Good nutrition plays a large role in helping to protect against heart disease, and even cancer. Continue reading “Brain Health Series: Food For Thought”

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Carnosine or Carnitine

question markRecently, a question came through an Ask The Expert query, inquiring about the differences between carnosine and carnitine. It’s not the first time someone has asked, and with good reason. Although their names sound similar, the one you choose will be based on your specific health goals.

Both carnosine and carnitine are referred to as amino acids because their chemical structure is similar to amino acids, and they are made of other amino acids. However, by scientific standards, they are not pure aminos. Carnitine is produced in the body from lysine and methionine, Continue reading “Carnosine or Carnitine”

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How to Create and Maintain a Fit and Healthy Brain

brain-healthSo often we’re reminded to take care of our bodies so that they look and perform the way we’d like them to. Are we as concerned about keeping our brain fit, sharp and healthy? Here are a few ways to keep your brain as youthful as your body.

Nutrition: The brain is largely made up of fat, so we need to eat fat to support a healthy brain. Fat coming from omega-3 sources such as olive oil, nuts, wild salmon, etc. are all great sources. Since sugar and carbs are pro-inflammatory foods, these should be dramatically reduced too, since they impair brain function while creating inflammation and disease. Of course, highly processed foods aren’t contributing to brain health either. Here’s a general rule for making healthier choices – if you can’t pronounce the ingredients, Continue reading “How to Create and Maintain a Fit and Healthy Brain”

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Taking Care of Your Brain

brain2Healthy brain function requires many important nutrients, as well as an active, social lifestyle. Factors such as aging, emotional stress, and exposure to free radicals affect cognitive health. A diet rich in antioxidants and essential fatty acids is very important to enhancing memory, cognitive skills, learning ability, mood, and stress tolerance.

Diet

The central nervous system is an extremely vital area that has high metabolic requirements. As a result, poor dietary habits can negatively affect brain function.

Blood Sugar: Fluctuating blood sugar is not conducive to optimal brain functioning and can become a more serious medical concern in the conditions hypoglycemia and diabetes. Continue reading “Taking Care of Your Brain”

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Our Bloggers

  • Paula Gallagher
    Paula Gallagher
    Paula is a highly qualified and experienced nutrition counselor on the staff at Village Green.
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  • Margo Gladding
    Margo Gladding
    Margo's impressive knowledge base is the result of a unique blend of educational and professional experience.
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    Dr. Neal Barnard
    Dr. Barnard leads programs advocating for preventive medicine, good nutrition, and higher ethical standards in research.
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    Dr. Joseph Pizzorno
    Dr. Joseph Pizzorno, ND is a pioneer of integrative medicine and a leading authority on science-based natural medicine.
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    Debi Silber
    Debi is a registered dietitian with a master’s degree in nutrition, a personal trainer, and whole health coach.
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    Teri Cochrane
    Teri is a is a Certified Coach Practitioner with extensive certifications and experience in holistic medicinal practices.
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    Dr. Rav Ivker
    Dr. Rav Ivker is a holistic family physician, health educator, and best-selling author.
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  • Susan Levin
    Susan Levin
    Susan writes about the connection between plant-based diets and a reduced risk of chronic diseases.
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    Dr. Rob Brown
    Dr. Brown's blended perspective of healthcare includes a deeply rooted passion for wellness and spiritual exploration.
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