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10 Superfoods that Improve Brain Health
What to Eat for a Stronger, Healthier Brain
Whether you’re looking to combat brain fog or wish to reduce your risk of developing Alzheimer’s or dementia, consuming a healthy diet should be your first line of defense. In recent years, research has revealed a host of powerful “superfoods” which both improve everyday brain function and protect against age-related cognitive decline, such as the 10 foods listed below:
1. Walnuts
Not only are walnuts packed with heart-healthy and anti-inflammatory nutrients, they are high in alpha linolenic acid (ALA), which promotes blood flow to the brain, keeping it oxygenated and healthy. A preliminary study on mice with Alzheimer’s disease suggests that ALA may help to ease symptoms of the condition.
2. Olive Oil
Olive oil is an excellent source of monounsaturated fats, which help to protect the brain against the effects of aging.
3. Berries
Berries, especially blueberries, are essential to good brain health. According to a recent study published in the Annals of Neurology, a diet high in blueberries, strawberries (and other berries) was linked to a slower mental decline in memory and focus in a large sample group of middle-aged women.
4. Fatty fish.
Fatty fish such as salmon, tuna, and sardines have become renowned for their brain-boosting benefits thanks to their high concentration of the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA. Omega 3s, which are also excellent at lowering “bad” cholesterol and protecting against cardiovascular disease, have been linked to a lower risk of dementia, improved memory and focus, and are even useful in treating depression.
5. Artichokes.
Artichokes are an excellent source of vitamin K, which has been found to protect neurons in the brain against damage, possibly helping to prevent Alzheimer’s disease. Artichokes also help improve blood flow to the brain.
6. Red onions.
Not only are onions (along with garlic and chives) full of nutrients and antioxidants, red onions have been shown to help the brain heal after a stroke by reducing brain edema and promoting blood flow.
7. Apples
According to a research study from Cornell University, quercetin, a particular apple flavonoid, has been shown to protect brain neurons against oxidative damage. Oxidative damage, wear and tear, to the brain can contribute to diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
8. Spinach
Spinach is rich in the antioxidant lutein, which has been shown to stall cognitive decline, according to research conducted at Tufts University and at Harvard Medical School. These studies revealed that women who regularly ate leafy greens like spinach had a markedly lower rate of cognitive decline, compared to those who seldom consumed them.
9. Avocados
Like olive oil, avocados are full of monounsaturated fats that improve vascular health and blood flow to the brain, keeping it well supplied with life-giving oxygen.
10. Wheat Germ
Wheat germ is extremely rich in choline, which the body requires to produce acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter needed for proper memory function.
What do you eat to strengthen your brain?
Thank you for visiting. We hope you come again!
Your partner in health and wellness,
Coach Cindy
Keep Your Heart Healthy 365 Days a Year!
Simple Lifestyle Choices Can Lower Your Risk of Heart Disease
In the United States, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death among women and men. According to the CDC, about 600,000 Americans die of heart disease annually. This represents almost 25% of all U.S. deaths. To raise awareness of this disease, February has been recognized as “American Heart Month” since 1963. While much progress has been made in the last 53 years, with fewer Americans dying from heart disease and stroke since the 1980s, too many Americans are still dying from this preventable lifestyle disease. This February and every day of the year, you can lower your risk for heart disease by making simple lifestyle choices, and following these 8 heart-healthy tips.
Eight Heart-Healthy Tips to Follow all Year Long
1. Eat Healthy Fats: Yes, you can get healthy by eating fats-the right fats. According to Dr. William Sears, the biggest scientific breakthrough in the prevention of cardiovascular disease is that the type of fat in your diet is more significant in maintaining a healthy heart than the amount of fat in your diet.The healthiest fats to consume are fish fats due to the high concentration of omega 3s.
Omega 3s provide amazing benefits for the heart: a. can lower your blood pressure, decreasing the pounding pressure on your heart. b. increase nitric oxide which relaxes your arteries and improves blood flow by dilating blood vessels. This results in lower blood pressure. c. can reduce the stimulating effects of increased stress hormones. This means less wear and tear on the heart. d. can lower bad cholesterol (LDL) and raise good cholesterol (HDL). Also, it can lower triglycerides, which are considered the most artery clogging fats. Heart-healthy oils you should include in your diet are fish oils (seafood, especially salmon), flax oils, olive oil, Nut oils.
2. Eat More Plant-Based Foods: Experts agree that plant eaters outlive animal eaters. Eating more plant-based foods and less meat can help to lower high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, and high blood sugar. To blunt the effect of a high-fat meal from affecting your heart, eat more plant-based foods during or while you eat, especially fruits and salads.
3. Decrease Sodium; increase potassium: According to a 2008 study from Harvard Medical School, people who ate twice as much potassium than sodium could cut their risk of cardiovascular disease in half. This balance helps to lower blood pressure. Some foods rich in potassium are: Salmon, medium potato with skin, figs, cantaloupe, artichokes, avocados, yogurt, and bananas. You can reduce your sodium intake by using sea salt; it is lower in sodium than regular table salt.
4. Get Lean/Stay Lean: If you are overweight or obese, you are at greater risk for heart disease that someone who is lean. The fatter you are, the more wear and tear on the heart. A lean body promotes a longer life. Losing weight and getting lean is one of the best things you can do for your heart.
5. Relax: The cardiovascular system and the nervous system are closely connected. Uncontrolled stress or chronic stress causes the brain to pour out stress hormones that stimulate the nerves around the vessels to constrict, resulting in high blood pressure and eventually causing the heart to wear out. Some effective ways to reduce stress are: listening to soothing music, deep breathing, exercise, laughter, and meditation.
6. Move: Physical activity or movement helps to increase nitric oxide which lowers blood pressure, and relax your arteries. Engage in activities that get your heart rate up and pumping. Your heart will thank you for more nitric oxide.
7. Graze: What does it mean to graze? According to Dr. William Sears, when you eat more often, in smaller mini-meals-a pattern called grazing-you won’t feel hungry or uncomfortably full. Follow Dr. Sears’ rule of twos for heart-healthy eating: Eat twice as often, eat half as much, and chew twice as long.
8. Quit Smoking: According to the 2014 Surgeon General Report on smoking and health, smoking is a major cause of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and causes one of every 3 deaths from CVD. Chemicals in cigarette smoke cause the cells that line blood vessels to become swollen and inflamed. This can narrow the blood vessels and can lead to many cardiovascular conditions, but smoking damage is repaired quickly for most smokers who stop smoking. Even long-time smokers can see rapid health improvements when they quit.
For more information about the benefits of quitting, see the American Heart Association’s Web page entitled “Why Quit Smoking?” This page provides information about smoking and coronary heart disease.
Photo: www.canstockphoto.com
Resources:
William, Sears, MD, “Prime Time Health,” Chapt.3-pgs. 31-60
http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/sgr/50th-anniversary/pdfs/fs_smoking_CVD_508.pdf
How Much Sleep Do We Really Need to Stay Healthy?
Research suggests there’s a clear correlation between sleep and optimal health—but the exact relationship may surprise you.
When it comes to the relationship between sleep and health, myths abound; many people assume that our sleep needs correlate directly to our age—with babies needing the most sleep and elderly people needing the least—and that some people have an almost miraculous ability to function on just three to four hours of sleep per night. Likewise, it is believed that sleeping “too much” carries the same (or similar) health risks as sleeping too little.
While it’s true that babies and children need a great deal more sleep than adults, the amount of sleep we need to maintain optimal health remains remarkably stable as we grow older, and in reality, there are very few confirmed cases of adults being able to function properly on just a few hours of sleep. According to most sleep experts, such as Sudhansu Chokroverty, MD, professor and co-chair of neurology and program director for clinical neurophysiology and sleep medicine at the New Jersey Neuroscience Institute, the average adult (including senior adults) needs at least 7.5-8 hours of sleep per night, though “Many people can function with 6 hours’ sleep, and there are also some who need 9 hours or more.” Chokroverty goes on to explain that “The amount of sleep needed to function the next day varies from individual to individual, and is determined genetically and by heredity.
If needing 9 or more hours of sleep is natural to some individuals, why is getting more sleep correlated with health risks? Many experts believe that the studies which seem to suggest more sleep is bad for the body are inherently biased: Needing much more sleep than usual is often one of the first signs of an underlying illness, meaning that the higher death rates which appear to be associated with excess sleep are likely not due to the sleep involved but rather undetected illness. As such, most physicians recommend that, rather than forcing ourselves to sleep just 8 hours, we listen to our bodies and get as much sleep as is required to feel rested. (However, if your sleep needs are truly far from the norm, i.e. in excess of 10-11 hours per night, it’s best to seek medical attention to rule out any underlying health issues.)
As to those individuals who believe they can maintain optimal health on just 3-4 hours of sleep per night, tests of their motor functioning, short-term memory, and cognitive performance almost always reveal that they are, in fact, impaired by their sleep-debt—they have just gone so long on little sleep that they’ve forgotten what being well-rested actually feels like. Even if they can function each day, says Dr. Kingman Strohl of University Hospitals Case Medical Center, they are opening the doorway to health problems and an increased risk of early mortality. If you sleep less than six hours per night, “You’re subject to certain metabolic problems, such as pre-diabetes; you have more likelihood to have cardiovascular problems and hypertension,” warns Dr. Strohl.
As inconvenient as it may feel to have to stay in bed for 8 or more hours each night, if you wish to live a long and healthy life, it’s necessary—so turn off the television, set aside your smartphone, and give your body the time it needs to recharge and repair itself each night.
Thanks for visiting. We hope you come again. Please leave a comment!
Your partner in health and fitness,
Coach Cindy
I would like to share a personal note, as it relates to this post. For many years, I only slept 4-5 hours at night, and honestly believed that I was the exception to the rule. However, my sleep deficit finally caught up with me and I experienced several metabolic problems-uncontrollable food cravings, uncontrollable weight gain, extremely elevated triglyceride levels, and pre-diabetes. So, if you are only sleeping 4-5 hours and having the same problems that are mentioned in the post or that I have mentioned above, please get more sleep so that you can improve your overall health.
Dr. William Sears’ Prestigious Prime-Time Health Workshops Coming to Southern Cook County of Chicago, IL in Spring of 2016
Chicago, IL (PressExposure) December 18, 2015 — Prime-time Health is a scientifically proven plan for those who want to take charge of their health, prevent disease, avoid disability and spend money on something other than doctors! Prime-Time Health is based on twelve years of scientific research and a lifetime of medical expertise and is a road map to a prime time filled with health, happiness and vitality.
This healthy aging program is taught by Health Coaches who are certified through the Dr. Sears Wellness institute. The fun, interactive Prime-Time Health workshops teach adults and seniors how to add years to their life, and life to their years. Prime-Time Health is based on scientific research that explains why it is important to make health your hobby and become an informed consumer. Eating healthy is not just about learning all the foods to avoid; instead, it is more about ensuring that you are consuming the right foods. In addition, the Prime-Time Health program will show you how to open your internal pharmacy and help your body produce custom-made medicines to repair and protect your body against damage.
“I can honestly say that the Prime-Time Health plan has resulted in the best change in my life, one for which I will be forever grateful” stated Bill Bridegroom, a healthier prime timer. “At age sixty-nine, I am happy to hear my personal physician say that I look a lot younger, and when people ask me how I’m feeling I can honestly say that I feel terrific.”
William Sears, MD is a world-renowned pediatrician, nutrition expert, medical and parenting media consultant, and author of over 40 books including The Pregnancy Book, The Portable Pediatrician, The Family Nutrition Book, The Baby Book, and more! He is a co-founder of the Dr. Sears Wellness Institute and currently lives and practices in San Clemente, CA.
About Assured Wellness
Assured Wellness is owned by Certified Health Coach Cynthia Brooks. For more information, or to register for Prime-Time Health Workshops in Southern Cook County of Chicago, IL, please call 708-300-2422 or visit http://www.assuredwellness.com
Press Release Source: http://PressExposure.com/PR/Assured_Wellness.html
How to Avoid Winter Weight Gain
3 Little-Known Tips for Beating the Holiday Bulge…
Contrary to popular belief, winter weight gain need not be an inevitability; extensive research shows that, unlike many mammals, humans are not biologically predisposed to weight gain during the colder months—our metabolisms don’t slow down and our appetites don’t actually increase. The only reason our weight changes during winter is that our habits change.
While holiday overeating is often pinned as the culprit, in reality, having an extra slice of pie at Thanksgiving or a large Christmas dinner is unlikely to be the sole cause of seasonal weight woes. Instead, it’s the long-term differences in how we eat, drink, and exercise that do the most damage, leading to a gain of (on average) 5-7 pounds by the time spring rolls around.
Not all of these bad habits are immediately obvious, however, which is why winter weight gain creeps up on so many of us even if we’re careful not to binge-eat during the winter holidays. If your past efforts to cut down the size of your holiday portions did nothing to keep the numbers on the scale from creeping up, try these three strategies to help you avoid winter weight gain:
- Reduce (or eliminate) alcohol consumption. Between Christmas and New Year’s parties at the office, with friends, and with family, even usually light or moderate drinkers tend to end up consuming many more glasses of wine or mixed drinks than they would regularly—unaware of just how many calories this heaps on top of their (already heavier) holiday diets. A single glass of wine often contains in excess of 100 calories, while a sugary mixed drink may have over 300 calories per serving; as such, having several drinks at every function between December and January can therefore add up dramatically.
- Pay attention to how much you’re snacking. While having a one-day food marathon on Thanksgiving or Christmas day is unlikely to totally ruin your diet, many of us find ourselves in possession of a lot of leftover food after these holidays end. Not wanting it all to go to waste, we feel a subconscious pressure to finish it up, and are soon snacking much more than we usually would, and on more calorie-rich food to boot. In order to avoid doing so, consider giving leftover food away, either to friends or to a charity, and return to your normal diet as soon as these holidays have ended.
- Make exercise a priority. When it’s freezing cold outside and we’re coming home in the dark, it becomes very tempting to just curl up in front of the TV for the rest of the evening—leading to a complete lack of physical activity. This, of course, subsequently compounds our heavier holiday eating habits. Instead of succumbing to this sluggish lifestyle, make a habit of finding some way to still work exercise into your day—either by taking trips to the gym, walking somewhere indoors (such as at the mall), or purchasing home gym equipment.
Share with me some of the ways you avoid gaining winter weight. I look forward to hearing from you.
Thank you for visiting. We hope you come again!
Your partner in health and wellness,
Coach Cindy
