Vitamins & Herbs to Keep Thinking Skills Sharp
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Posted On :
Aug-17-2011
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Article Word Count :
781
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Whether you are concerned about Alzheimer’s or tired of feeling as if you’re brain is muddled and confused, there are certain vitamins and herbs here to help you. These must-have vitamins and herbs have been chosen because of their abilities to alleviate the symptoms of Alzheimer’s, memory loss and “brain fog.” Let’s take a look and find out how you could think more clearly and sharpen your memory.
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Whether you are concerned about Alzheimer’s or tired of feeling as if you’re brain is muddled and confused, there are certain vitamins and herbs here to help you. These must-have vitamins and herbs have been chosen because of their abilities to alleviate the symptoms of Alzheimer’s, memory loss and “brain fog.” Let’s take a look and find out how you could think more clearly and sharpen your memory.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is an antioxidant that is required for at least three hundred metabolic functions in your body — including in the brain. In one clinical study, researchers wanted to find out if antioxidants could protect the aging brain against the oxidative damage that’s typically found in Alzheimer’s patients.
Of 4,740 participants, 200 Alzheimer’s cases were identified in a prospective study of dementia in the elderly in Cache County, Utah. Among the 3,227 survivors at risk, 104 incident cases of Alzheimer’s were identified in a follow-up two years later. The researchers recorded supplement use at the outset of the study. They discovered that those who took vitamin C and vitamin E supplements in combination had a reduced prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease. They concluded that vitamins C and E together helped significantly reduce the incidence of Alzheimer’s in those 65 years or older.
Thiamin
Thiamin, or vitamin B1, is a critical nutrient for brain health. It is used to manufacture neurotransmitters, which carry signals throughout your body. In particular, your memory and mental performance rely on one transmitter called “acetylcholine.” B1 is need for the production of this neurotransmitter.
Your brain also uses glucose to function properly — and thiamin is needed to complete the process of turning glucose into energy. So if your intake of vitamin B1 is very low, it will have a definite impact on your brain’s mental function.
Vitamin B6
This water-soluble vitamin plays a big role in many different bodily functions and remains essential for brain health. This is primarily because protein is a brain food.
In order to metabolize proteins, there are more than 100 enzymes in your body that rely on vitamin B6. The more protein you eat, the more vitamin B6 is needed. Keep your levels of B6 up to help with cognitive function and memory.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 plays a unique role in your body. It ensures that your red blood cells are made properly, including your DNA. When cells rapidly divide, B12 is needed. In fact, anywhere in your body that has a high turnover of cells — for example, your intestines and your blood — requires adequate amounts of B12.
Among its many roles, vitamin B12 also helps you maintain a healthy nervous system. Specifically, it helps protect the important protein “myelin” that surrounds your nerve cells.
Vitamin E
Not surprisingly, numerous studies have found that this vitamin plays a role in preventing and treating Alzheimer’s disease by inhibiting damage caused by free radicals. This is because vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant. A trial conducted by the Alzheimer’s Disease Cooperative Study treated those suffering from Alzheimer’s with 2,000 international units (IU) of vitamin E. The study determined that vitamin E might slow deterioration as compared to placebo.
Fatty Fish
What’s so special about fatty fish? And why is it the one time when you will actually hear nutritionists say “the fattier the better?” A recent study proved that older adults who ate fatty fish could slow their cognitive decline by 10% per year. That means that if you eat one serving of fatty fish per week over a 10-year period, you could slow your mental decline by 100% of what it might have been had you not consumed any fish.
Fatty fish contains “DHA,” an omega-3 fatty acid that plays a critical role in your brain’s function. More studies are now being done to link fish with a reduced risk of dementia, memory loss and stroke. Some of the best sources of fatty fish are salmon, sardines, albacore tuna, halibut, trout, herring, cod and whitefish.
Green Tea
Green tea is full of antioxidants — particularly one called “EGCG.” EGCG protects the brain. It lowers the amount of protein that builds up as plaque. This plaque has been linked to the type of memory loss and nerve damage that’s common in Alzheimer’s patients. Two cups of green tea a day should give your brain a boost, enhancing your memory and your ability to concentrate. Green tea could also improve your mood.
In one Japanese study, green tea consumption was analyzed in 1,003 participants who were 70 years of age or older. It was found that those with the highest consumption of green tea had the lowest prevalence of cognitive impairment.
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Article Source :
http://www.articleseen.com/Article_Vitamins & Herbs to Keep Thinking Skills Sharp _74145.aspx
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Keywords :
sharpen your memory, nutrient for brain health,
Category :
Health and Fitness
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Health and Fitness
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