Antoaneta Sawyer, Ph. D.
Many people take extremely deeply the loss of a loved one. Recently I had a question from a patient of mine who lost her mom, what provoked me to write on the type of mental state and physical health connection. We all know how important the mental state is. People who have a positive outlook on life, who engage in positive thinking, and are always cheerful have higher degrees of different immunoglobulin’s (mainly the Ig A and Ig G).
It is a sad fact of life that as we age, our memory and cognitive processes change and slowly but surely deteriorate. Overall cognitive and mental functioning is a very important and vital sign for a graceful ageing. Perhaps the single and most defining characteristic of us as human beings is the manner in which our brains function. Our memory and the way in which we process information are what differentiate us, from the other living organisms. Unfortunately, as we age, we can experience a significant decline in our mental faculties. This is not surprising fact, given a lifetime of the demands we place on this vital organ (the most sensitive one to oxygen and glucose supply). As we proceed through life, we are exposed to a multitude of stressful experiences and with ageing our memory and mental capabilities progressively decline.
In order to function optimally, delicate circulatory vessels and tissues are there to nourish the brain with an abundance of oxygen and glucose than any other organ in the body. That is why the brain is considered the most “selfish" organ with the heart being the second one. The work of the brain is a pure electrochemical energy, summa sumarum or conglomerate of electrical impulses conducted by specialized molecules called “neurotransmitters". As we age, the production and the concentration of these vital neurotransmitters decreases, causing nerve impulses to become slower, unreliably weaker. Despite we take all of the above as a normal part of aging we must consider adding a unique combination of ingredients (nutritionals) for mental support that should be designed to help maintain mental clarity while supporting memory and cognitive functioning.
At the same time, in order to help preserving the gradual loss of memory and to reassure future mental support, we might need comprehensive nutritional “brain" or “memory" program and the addition of dietary formulas in a natural blend of essential nutrients, vitamins, super foods, botanicals and phytochemicals. In general I would recommend a combination of constant mental stimulation (learning a new language, taking a new degree), daily mental exercises, with supplements or drugs that have been shown to improve mental performance- like those mentioned above.
What are the main nutraceuticals that we must know?
· Ginkgo Biloba and Vinpocetine may help maintain healthy blood flow to the brain, to deliver vital nutrients, fuel and oxygen necessary to support memory and overall cognitive functioning. Vinpocetine also acts as a powerful anti-oxidant, protecting the brain from free radical damage.
· Huperzine A (an extract from Chinese Club Moss) helps to reduce the depletion of these neurotransmitters and support normal cognitive and memory function.
· Bacopa Monniera (an Ayurvedic herb) must be also presented in order to support the delicate tissues of the brain and nervous system.
· B-Complex and Vitamin C vitamins must be also added for a good Mental Support and for additional support of the nervous system, because these nutrients are easily depleted during times of stress.
· Pregnenolone must be also presented for an additional support of the nervous and circulatory systems.
· L-carnitine and N-acetyl-L carnitine (combined or not with ALA) can help memory, by improving cell's membrane fluidity, increase the amount of synapses between neurons, as well as to increase the velocity of neuron to neuron communication.
· Phosphatidyl Serine (PS) is an important phospholipid presented in all cell membranes of the body. Since Phosphatidyl Serine can only be found in very small amounts from dietary sources, 100 mg must be also added. PS plays a vital role in a multitude of processes throughout the body, including the health of the brain and nervous system, the integrity of cell membranes, and the formation of other important phospholipids. Phosphatidyl Serine is found in highest concentrations in the brain and nervous system, where it plays a distinct and separate role from Phosphatidyl Choline and is essential for nerve cell function and the production and release of neurotransmitters. It has been shown in numerous studies to help support positive mood, promote learning and concentration, help support memory and overall cognitive function and also help support the body's natural response to certain forms of stress.
· Phosphatidyl Choline (PCh) is the most abundant phospholipid in the human body- mainly found in the liver and within the brain membranes. Our bodies can produce PCh, but with aging its proper production also declines. FDA had to admit that PCh is essential, and assigned an AIV (adequate intake of daily value) providing 60mg per serving, which is more than 10% of the daily, value (550mg). PCh plays a vital role in the health of the Nervous and the cardiovascular system, being precursor of acetylcholine and sphingomyelin. As a main component in the liver tissue, it constitutes 2/3 of the liver tissues. Thus it is important for cleansing of body's waste products, and for a proper immune system, as well as for the transport and metabolism of fats and cholesterol within the human body. PCh is the only phospholipid uniquely found in brain and liver.
· Bilberry, Blueberry, Blackberry and Elderberry contain the most powerful antioxidants called anthocyanins that have been shown to help support not only the memory but also the visual regeneration of the retina, healthy circulation and antioxidant protection of the whole body.
If you would like to learn more on the above topic, to sign for on line or phone consultation, or to request an article written to suit your wellness business purposes, please call: (715) 392-7591; (218) 213-6167; or (218) 213-7087
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The material in this newsletter is provided for informational purposes only. Thus our intentions are not to diagnose, cure, mitigate, treat or prevent any disease. If you use the information in this newsletter without the approval of your health professional, the authors of this letter do not assume any responsibility. Copyright @ 2009, Natural Health-Wellness LLC. All rights reserved.
In order to function optimally, delicate circulatory vessels and tissues are there to nourish the brain with an abundance of oxygen and glucose than any other organ in the body. That is why the brain is considered the most “selfish" organ with the heart being the second one. The work of the brain is a pure electrochemical energy, summa sumarum or conglomerate of electrical impulses conducted by specialized molecules called “neurotransmitters". As we age, the production and the concentration of these vital neurotransmitters decreases, causing nerve impulses to become slower, unreliably weaker. Despite we take all of the above as a normal part of aging we must consider adding a unique combination of ingredients (nutritionals) for mental support that should be designed to help maintain mental clarity while supporting memory and cognitive functioning.
At the same time, in order to help preserving the gradual loss of memory and to reassure future mental support, we might need comprehensive nutritional “brain" or “memory" program and the addition of dietary formulas in a natural blend of essential nutrients, vitamins, super foods, botanicals and phytochemicals. In general I would recommend a combination of constant mental stimulation (learning a new language, taking a new degree), daily mental exercises, with supplements or drugs that have been shown to improve mental performance- like those mentioned above.
What are the main nutraceuticals that we must know?
· Ginkgo Biloba and Vinpocetine may help maintain healthy blood flow to the brain, to deliver vital nutrients, fuel and oxygen necessary to support memory and overall cognitive functioning. Vinpocetine also acts as a powerful anti-oxidant, protecting the brain from free radical damage.
· Huperzine A (an extract from Chinese Club Moss) helps to reduce the depletion of these neurotransmitters and support normal cognitive and memory function.
· Bacopa Monniera (an Ayurvedic herb) must be also presented in order to support the delicate tissues of the brain and nervous system.
· B-Complex and Vitamin C vitamins must be also added for a good Mental Support and for additional support of the nervous system, because these nutrients are easily depleted during times of stress.
· Pregnenolone must be also presented for an additional support of the nervous and circulatory systems.
· L-carnitine and N-acetyl-L carnitine (combined or not with ALA) can help memory, by improving cell's membrane fluidity, increase the amount of synapses between neurons, as well as to increase the velocity of neuron to neuron communication.
· Phosphatidyl Serine (PS) is an important phospholipid presented in all cell membranes of the body. Since Phosphatidyl Serine can only be found in very small amounts from dietary sources, 100 mg must be also added. PS plays a vital role in a multitude of processes throughout the body, including the health of the brain and nervous system, the integrity of cell membranes, and the formation of other important phospholipids. Phosphatidyl Serine is found in highest concentrations in the brain and nervous system, where it plays a distinct and separate role from Phosphatidyl Choline and is essential for nerve cell function and the production and release of neurotransmitters. It has been shown in numerous studies to help support positive mood, promote learning and concentration, help support memory and overall cognitive function and also help support the body's natural response to certain forms of stress.
· Phosphatidyl Choline (PCh) is the most abundant phospholipid in the human body- mainly found in the liver and within the brain membranes. Our bodies can produce PCh, but with aging its proper production also declines. FDA had to admit that PCh is essential, and assigned an AIV (adequate intake of daily value) providing 60mg per serving, which is more than 10% of the daily, value (550mg). PCh plays a vital role in the health of the Nervous and the cardiovascular system, being precursor of acetylcholine and sphingomyelin. As a main component in the liver tissue, it constitutes 2/3 of the liver tissues. Thus it is important for cleansing of body's waste products, and for a proper immune system, as well as for the transport and metabolism of fats and cholesterol within the human body. PCh is the only phospholipid uniquely found in brain and liver.
· Bilberry, Blueberry, Blackberry and Elderberry contain the most powerful antioxidants called anthocyanins that have been shown to help support not only the memory but also the visual regeneration of the retina, healthy circulation and antioxidant protection of the whole body.
If you would like to learn more on the above topic, to sign for on line or phone consultation, or to request an article written to suit your wellness business purposes, please call: (715) 392-7591; (218) 213-6167; or (218) 213-7087
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The material in this newsletter is provided for informational purposes only. Thus our intentions are not to diagnose, cure, mitigate, treat or prevent any disease. If you use the information in this newsletter without the approval of your health professional, the authors of this letter do not assume any responsibility. Copyright @ 2009, Natural Health-Wellness LLC. All rights reserved.
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