Concerns about Brain Health and Memory Loss Rise as We Age

Mood, memory, cognitive function and brain health continue to be some of the most discussed health topics as we grow older. About 1 in 5 people experience depression in the U.S., and 6.7 million Americans 65 years and older are living with Alzheimer’s disease according to the Alzheimer’s Association.

The good news is that research scientists are expanding knowledge in the field of brain health backed by the ever-increasing demand for more natural solutions. Brain health scientists such as Martha Clare Morris, Ph. D., Daniel Amen, M.D., and Dale Bredesen, M.D., are discovering natural approaches to maintaining and improving cognitive health. 

The Impact of Lifestyle on Brain Health

Dr. Bredesen developed the first program to prevent and reverse the cognitive decline of dementia. He states, “Drugs are the dessert, not the entrée.” He further states that a drug program without a healthy lifestyle—including a healthy diet, exercise, sleep, stress management, social support and supplements such as Bacopa monnieri and pantothenic acid—does not optimally address the complexities of the process and, therefore, will not prevent or arrest, and certainly will not reverse, cognitive decline.

Did you know that a healthy brain also provides the ability to sleep, speak, hear, taste, smell, see, feel, balance, and have coordination and other healthy vital functions? As we age, brain health can become compromised, but there is so much we can do to maintain brain health at every age. Harvard experts state that the heart of their brain health and cognitive fitness program is selfcare, so they developed a five-step method for supporting cognitive health.

Harvard’s 5 Steps for Cognitive Fitness

1. Eat a plant-based diet
2. Exercise regularly
3. Get enough sleep
4. Manage stress
5. Nurture social contacts

Natural Brain Health Supplement to Aid Memory

NeuroShine^® is a 3-in-1 dietary supplement for improved focus, concentration, mood, memory and cognitive function.

TriVita worked with top brain health clinicians to develop a natural supplement formula with ingredients clinically shown to maintain and improve healthy cognition, memory, mood and cognitive performance. The result is NeuroShine, consisting of BacoMind^® (Bacopa monnieri), pantothenic acid, and a special form of lithium called lithium orotate to enhance bioavailability and absorption.

BacoMind to help improve memory

BacoMind is a patented form of an antioxidant-rich aquatic plant called Bacopa monnieri. Bacopa monnieri has been used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine for centuries to promote memory and longevity. Bacopa monnieri (BacoMind) has been reported to aid adults in cognitive performance. For instance, positive results were recorded in a double-blind placebo study, an age-related memory impairment test showing that BacoMind was found to enhance cognitive functions including focus and concentration, as well as verbal memory.

Lithium orotate to support a healthy mood

Lithium orotate, a specific form of lithium salt found in food and drinking water, is known as one of the best and most effective natural mood stabilizers. Lithium orotate delivers all the benefits of lithium without the risk of dangerous side effects. Unlike pharmaceutical lithium, lithium orotate is effective in extremely small amounts.⁵ One study compared the low environmental dose range of 300 micrograms of lithium to placebo in a group of patients who had mild cognitive impairment. The data of the study showed a microdose of lithium prevented cognitive loss.

Pantothenic acid for stress reduction and greater energy

Pantothenic acid, otherwise known as Vitamin B5, is required for the synthesis of some essential neurotransmitters needed for focus and attention. Vitamin B5 supports overall energy production and is necessary for the synthesis of some essential nutrients. It is popularly known for its energy metabolism and its contribution to the proper functioning of the brain. This vitamin is also required as an important precursor of Coenzyme A category, an essential enzyme for energy and protein metabolism.

Start feeling brighter today with NeuroShine.

About Paul Bernitt, DHH

Paul Bernitt, DHH Passionate advocate for helping others experience greater physical, emotional and spiritual wellness. Board-Certified Doctor of Holistic Health and Director of Wellness Services, TriVita, Inc.

References

1. https://www.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/learn/index.htm
2. https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/facts-figures
3. Bredesen, Dale. The End of Alzheimer’s, The First Program to Prevent and Reverse Cognitive Decline.
4. https://www.health.harvard.edu/promotions/harvard-health-publications/cognitive-fitness-ecourse-apr2020-test
5. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22746245/ 
6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20590480
7. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4063497/
8. http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/vitamins/pantothenic-acid 

By Sandra Bond Chapman, Ph.D. We know the physical changes that aging brings: graying hair, wrinkles and a tendency to gain weight. Less well understood, but more important to our ability to live long, healthy lives, are age-related changes in our brains. According to a recent survey by AARP (American Association of Retired Persons), staying mentally sharp is important to 93% of Americans, but few know how to maintain or improve brain health. Until recently, cognitive (brain function) losses in healthy adults were viewed as an inevitable consequence of living longer. Since our life expectancy has increased steadily over the years, this caused alarm. Scientific research shows that cognitive aging is a natural pro cess that affects everyone, to varying degrees, with both positive and negative effects. But here is the good news: each of us has the ability to strengthen our brain function throughout our lives, and to prevent, slow or even reverse cognitive decline. That is, if we take the right steps, eliminate toxic routines and adopt healthy habits. For thousands of years, people have searched in vain for the Fountain of Youth to stay young. However, science is pointing the way to a different approach, which is to embrace the continued potential of our aging mind. We have tremendous power to strengthen and heal our brain’s health throughout life. Without brain health, we simply do not have health.

9 WAYS TO STAY SHARP

Whatever your stage in life, use these brain-healthy habits to strengthen brain systems and enhance brain “fitness”:

Get a good night’s sleep

Eight hours is optimal. It allows us to reset an exhausted brain engine, to consolidate learning of new information at higher levels of understanding and to derive “aha” moments. These “ahas” happen when we connect ideas in newer, more innovative ways.

Slow down to succeed

Working constantly without taking time to step back and reflect on actions hinders productivity and performance along with increasing stress. While it seems counterintuitive to increase mental energy by slowing the pace, try it; it works. Give weighty decisions and projects the time, reflection and contemplation they need.

Block out

Consciously filter extraneous information to focus on the task at hand. This technique has not only been shown to impact cognitive health but is also a sign of higher intellectual function. It may come as a surprise, but our current daily lifestyle habits—even some we believe are good for our brain such as the myth of multitasking—are toxic to good brain health.

Think at a deeper level

Instead of being bogged down in minute details, give information new meaning by absorbing it and relating it to your own experiences. Achieving a new perspective will inspire your brain to generate new ideas and solutions.

Enjoy aerobic physical activity

Exercise is one of the most important ways to increase blood flow to the areas of the brain crucial to memory and attention. In a recent study, our researchers at the Center for BrainHealth found that an hour of aerobic exercise three times a week significantly improved memory function of adults ages 57-75 within 12 weeks.

Eat right

Fill your plate with vegetables, fruit, nuts, fish, legumes and olive oil. Go easy with red meat, dairy products and sweets. This diet balance reduces disease of the blood vessels and arteries, which is a major contributing factor to dementia and mental decline. Deficiencies of the nutrients from a healthy diet can impair brain function and long-term brain health.

Manage medications effectively

Some medications—including certain anxiety or sleep drugs and antihistamines—can lead to mental fogginess. Regularly discuss and review medications that may affect brain function with your healthcare provider.

Reduce cardiovascular disease risk factors

Your heart and your brain are uniquely intertwined. Be sure to control high blood pressure and diabetes and stop smoking.

Connect socially

Social networks are positively related to higher cognitive performance. This article is intended for educational purposes only.

References:

http://www.aarp.org/about-aarp/press-center/info-01-2015/staying-sharp-brain-health-survey.html

http://journal.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fnagi.2013.00075/abstract

With over 74 million Baby Boomers in the U.S., it’s no surprise that brain health and cognitive function are popular topics. However, mood management and mental health awareness are on the rise as well. According to Mental Health America, one in five adults has a mental health condition, and millions are searching for natural solutions, such as scientifically validated dietary supplements, and lifestyle choices that can help support a brighter mood, better concentration, and overall cognitive function.

The brain serves as a go-to-get source for the various functions in our body system such as hearing, taste and smell, vision and the entire body balance. In addition, our brain plays an important role in controlling our behavior, mood and memories. Therefore, it is equally important for our brain to balance this function and research shows that a regular intake of certain dietary supplements in combination with exercise and diet such as the MIND Diet are some of the best ways to support the functioning of the brain and our mood; not only to make us feel brighter and better but also healthier.

An outbreak of nutritional science news with a particular emphasis on mood and brain function reflects the increasing interest in non-drug, natural interventions to help support that our brain is healthy and performs better as we age. Given the present state of our society where senile dementia like Alzheimer’s disease, Depressive disorder and other related variations are of greater concerns, this heightened interest of the populace to find a more effective and natural solution to brain health is timely. Particularly with the soaring costs of health care, increasing rate of Alzheimer, heightened occurrence of Bipolar Disorder (also called Manic Depressive Disorder), and the aging population which places more priorities than ever on changing lifestyle and prevention.

Over the years, however, pantothenic acid also called Vitamin B5, BacoMind, a standardized and branded form of Bacopa Monnieri and Lithium Orotate, have been shown to play a major role in brain health function and mood management, and these are ingredients that can be integrated into our diets and taken as dietary supplements.

A 3-in-1 Supplement for Brain Health and Mood Management

Dietary supplements, and the ingredients from which they are produced, with their bioavailability and level of absorption, provide us with amazing natural product choices that have been clinically confirmed for their effectiveness to improve cognitive functions, manage mood and improve brain functions.

From BacoMind and Lithium Orotate to the varieties of natural cognitive supplements that can be derived from the pantothenic acid and other natural sources, individuals are now particularly interested in the effective methods of managing their mood and improving their cognitive function. Many people are increasingly wary of consuming the common prescription pharmaceutical drugs to enhance the proper functioning of the brain, as they are commonly produced from the combination of synthesized materials like amphetamine salts which can lead to severe health issues like disruption of sleep patterns, anxiety, depression, psychosis, loss of appetite and death.

NeuroShine — Why Do You Need It?

“As a primary care physician, I encourage my patients to take responsibility for their brain health. I recommend that if they want to experience healthy aging of the brain, they should modify their diet, receive the proper amount of sleep and get regular physical activity. I also recommend adequate dietary supplementation to cover any nutrients that may be missing from their diet.
After reviewing the NeuroShine formula and the science behind each of the three ingredients, I’m confident that people who seek to optimize brain health can benefit by supporting their mood, memory and cognitive function with this product”

Ankit Chander, MD, MD (H)
Board Certified Integrative Medicine
Licensed Doctor of Homeopathy

BacoMind^® (Bacopa Monnieri)

As it supports mood, helps with psychological stress and supports the functioning of the brain including the memory, Bacopa Monnieri, (BacoMind^®) has been especially reported to aid adults in cognitive performance. For instance, positive results were recorded in a double-blind placebo; an age-related memory impairment test. BacoMind® was found to enhance the cognitive functions including focus and concentration, and verbal memory.

Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid)

Similar to the other Vitamin B categories, Vitamin B5, also called pantothenic acid, has been discovered to play an essential role in the regulation and synthesis of several biochemical pathways. It is popularly known for its energy metabolism and its contribution to the proper functioning of the brain. This vitamin is also required as an important precursor of Coenzyme A category (an essential enzyme for energy and protein metabolism).

Lithium Orotate

As scientists continue to study the effects of Lithium Orotate, studies have also shown that low doses of lithium consumed has positive benefits on the brain and mood. In fact, one particular study reported communities that had micro amounts of lithium in the drinking water experienced less suicide, homicide and violent crimes versus communities with no lithium in the drinking water.

One study compared the low environmental dose range of lithium of 300 micrograms to placebo in a group of patients who had Mild Cognitive Impairment, a condition that can deteriorate to Alzheimer’s Disease in some who have it. Those given the low dose lithium stabilized and did not lose cognitive function while the group on placebo had continued deterioration.

The research borne out of the environmental findings indicate numerous benefits from lithium at low microgram level of doses.

NeuroShine – Why the hype?

For every bottle of NeuroShine , you have a supplement with the combinative power of pantothenic acid, BacoMind and Lithium Orotate. These ingredients are specifically packaged to form a single, yet powerful and confirmed dietary supplement. Each of these ingredients works with each other in amazing and unique ways. Lithium is the oldest and best treatment for the protection of the brain. As it also supports reducing decline in cognitive performance, and is known as one of the best and most effective mood stabilizers available today in the market.

Included in NeuroShine at twice the Recommended Daily Allowance, Pantothenic Acid is needed for the synthesis of some essential neurotransmitters in focus and attention. It is also effective for the metabolism of energy in the brain and the entire body system. BacoMind is present in NeuroShine in its standardized and patented form as it adds an extra level of protection to ensure that the required level of active ingredients in the herbal product are present. Its protective role as a good antioxidant also gives NeuroShine its competitive edge in the market. The combination of these three active ingredients offers an amazing and synergistic formulation to support brain health and function in several ways that complement each other.

Each bottle of NeuroShine provides 30 capsules and support for brain health and function, mood and concentration.

References

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19407280

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20590480

http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/vitamins/pantothenic-acid

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1699579

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22746245

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4063497/

With age, some amount of memory loss is considered normal. A lost wallet or forgetting where the car is parked isn’t an immediate cause for concern. As people get older, changes occur in the body (including the brain), which can result in occasional forgetfulness. Some people may also notice it takes longer to learn new things or have difficulty recalling information as quickly as they used to. This can begin as early as the 20s and 30s for some people.

What’s Normal

For most people, occasional lapses in memory are moderate and are not disabling. The following examples are typical for older adults:

• Sometimes forgetting what word to use
• Losing things occasionally
• Forgetting an appointment or bill from time to time
• Becoming easily distracted
• Not entirely being able to remember information that’s “on the tip of your tongue”

What’s Not Normal

The main difference between age-associated memory loss and more severe forms, such as mild cognitive impairment or dementia, is how it affects your daily life. Age-related lapses in memory or thinking have little impact on your performance and ability to enjoy life. On the other hand, mild cognitive impairment and dementias are persistent, debilitating and are marked by a decline in two or more intellectual abilities like memory, language, abstract thinking, and judgment.

Below are examples of potential signs and symptoms:

• Trouble holding a conversation
• Difficulty recalling details of recent conversation or events
• Frequently forgetting dates or events
• Difficulty recognizing or remembering the names of family members and close friends
• Trouble making decision or poor judgment
• Unable to follow directors or feeling lost and disoriented in familiar places
• Difficulty performing simple tasks (paying bills, dressing appropriately or household chores)

When to Get Help

It’s time to see your doctor when memory lapses or difficulty thinking becomes frequent and noticeable. If family members, friends or co-workers have expressed concern, it’s important to speak with your physician as soon as possible for an assessment.

Keep in mind that memory loss can be exacerbated by certain medical conditions, such as head injury, nutritional deficiencies, stress, and depression, or can be a side effect of medications. If you experience memory loss or other issues thinking, it’s important to speak with your doctor to determine what’s causing them.

Reference: https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/memory-and-thinking-whats-normal-and-whats-not

The importance of heart health is widely acknowledged and promoted. Everyone knows it’s essential to maintain healthy body weight. So why is it that too few people actively pursue better cognitive health? Brain health is critical to maintaining a healthy and independent life.

Throughout your life, your brain changes and adapts to the many different things you experience and learn. When your brain is healthy, broken connections can be repaired and new ones created. But with age and poor lifestyle, the brain’s natural capabilities can begin to decrease. Many aging adults fear this decline in cognitive function, but it isn’t inevitable.

What are cognitive skills and abilities?

Cognition has to do with how a person perceives, understands, and performs in the world around them. It’s the set of mental abilities and processes that are performed in nearly every action while awake. These include thinking, knowing, remembering, judging and problem-solving. These are higher-level functions of the brain and encompass language, imagination, perception, and planning.

Cognitive skills are brain-based functions needed to carry out any task—from the simplest to the most complex. Your cognitive functioning has less to do with intellectual knowledge and more to do with how you learn, remember, and problem solve.

For example, answering the door involves perception (hearing the doorbell), decision making (deciding whether or not to open the door), motor skills (turning the handle and opening the door), language skills (speaking and understanding language), and social skills (interpreting tone of voice and interacting with another person appropriately).

What happens when cognitive skills decline?

Like most ailments, cognitive disorders are caused by a variety of factors. These can include genetic predispositions, certain medical conditions, lifestyle, and environmental factors. Neurophysiological changes an also result from over-consumption of certain substances like drugs or alcohol, or as the result of physical trauma or injury. A combination of these factors can result in varying degrees of cognitive dysfunction.

Symptoms of cognitive dysfunction can vary widely, but many common signs include:

• Confusion
• Poor motor coordination
• Loss of short-term or long-term memory
• Impaired judgment
• Identity confusion

With age, some brain functions tend to decline. This is usually seen with executive functions—abilities that enable goal-oriented behavior like planning. However, cognitive skills aren’t fixed—they can be improved and strengthened through lifestyle and training.

Natural ways to care for and protect your most precious asset

Across the lifespan, the human brain goes through numerous changes, both structurally and functionally. Mental decline is common with age, but it’s not inevitable as many once thought.

Simple lifestyle modifications and natural interventions can promote better brain health and drastically change how you think and feel.

What is Brain Health

Brain health means a lot of things to different people, but it can roughly be broken down into two areas of focus; feelings and mood, and thoughts and cognition. These two areas are very different but both influence overall brain health. For example, if someone feels great but can’t calculate a tip, that’s an opportunity to strengthen their cognition. Similarly, if someone says work is going well, but they often feel sad, that’s another aspect of brain health that can be improved. For physicians, it’s critical to examine and enhance both of these areas.

How Fat Affects the Brain

Lifestyle often has a lot to do with how well your brain ages, and there are many natural, low-cost options beyond using pharmaceuticals. The first and simplest step is to look at your diet and how those foods might be affecting your brain.

A Mayo Clinic study of 1,230 adults between the ages of 70 and 89 found that those whose diets were highest in carbohydrates had nearly four times the risk of developing mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Conversely, participants that consumed foods high in healthy fat were 42 percent less likely to develop cognitive impairment.¹

This is astonishing, and no medication can claim results like this. It is so important to remember that what you choose to eat dramatically influences your brain.

How exactly does a high-fat diet support the brain? Fat fortifies the brain in many ways. The human brain is approximately 60 percent fat and has a unique fatty acid composition. This is pivotal because it supports the membranes around every cell in your body.

Dendrites are where neurons receive information from other cells, and these dendrites are primarily comprised of fat. Axons, or nerve fibers, are the primary transmission lines of the nervous system- think of these as wires through which neurons send signals to other cells. These axons are protected by a myelin sheath which is made up of—you guessed it—fat!

In addition to contributing to the physical structure of cells, fats are a rich source of energy and aid the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins. Fats, proteins and carbohydrates are all macronutrient sources of energy found in the human diet. However, fat is the most concentrated source and provides double the energy content of protein and carbohydrates.

Boost Brain Power with Supplements

Diet is crucial to a healthy brain, but that is only part of the equation. You can positively influence neural health using specific supplements. One of the products prescribed at TriVita Clinic of Integrative Medicine includes three ingredients to support different facets of brain health.

The first ingredient is bacopa monnieri, an herb that has been used for thousands of years. In animal models, over months of use, bacopa was shown to increase the number of dendrites that any one cell has.² This is huge because it impacts how cells communicate with other cells which influence memory.

Human trials continue to show that memory can be enhanced with bacopa supplements. This is encouragement for everyone to seek optimal health as early as possible to improve potential health outcomes later in life.

The second component is pantothenic acid, which is also known as Vitamin B-5. Pantothenic acid plays an essential role in the synthesis of acetylcholine. Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter that is involved in learning, thinking, attention and the formation of memory. Without acetylcholine, signals cannot transfer, and brain function begins to decline.

Lithium Orotate is the final component. Typically, when people hear lithium, they instantly think of the form used pharmaceutically. But Lithium Orotate is a different form that has been shown to strengthen mood and memory function.³ Also, studies have shown that it can increase neuroplasticity.⁴ Neuroplasticity refers to the brain’s ability to change itself. This can occur in either a negative or positive direction, but the ultimate goal is to increase neuroplasticity positively.

Lithium Orotate has also been shown to increase brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). BDNF is one of the growth factors that stimulates new neuron growth and is essential when the goal is to improve memory function.⁵

Retrain Your Brain

If you’re eating healthy and using supportive supplements, one more thing you can do is provide the brain with stimulation or exercise. One intervention commonly used is neurofeedback, which is similar to biofeedback, but specifically for your brain.

To understand how neurofeedback works you first need to look at the different brain waves. The first type of wave is delta which is predominant during deep sleep. Secondly, theta waves are present during lighter sleep or a state of deep meditation. Next are alpha waves which are active in times of daydreaming or light meditation, and lastly, beta waves are associated with normal waking and thinking states. Generally, alpha waves tend to be related to mood and beta waves translate into thinking and cognition.

Many patients are hesitant to discuss mood disorders with their doctor. For physicians, neurofeedback provides an opportunity to objectify anxiety, depression, attention deficits and memory loss.

The first step of neurofeedback is to create a brain map, or quantitative EEG, which helps map out alpha and beta levels and any asymmetry that may be present. This provides clues to where individuals may be dealing with depression or anxiety and how to harness neuroplasticity for best results. During neurofeedback, electrodes are applied to the scalp to monitor brainwave activity, and specific frequencies are targeted to retrain the brain toward healthier or more regulated brainwave states.

Redefine What’s Possible

The future of brain health relies on access to early assessment and preventative protocols, similar to heart health screenings. Individuals are screened early and regularly for cardiovascular disease, and if they are found to be at risk, they partake in medical treatment or lifestyle modification. The same type of responsibility needs to be demonstrated with brain health to mitigate rates of cognitive impairment, mood disorders and increase optimal living.

When the brain is given healthy nutrition to sustain function and integrity, supplements to stimulate growth and regular exercise to amplify neuroplasticity you can see significant changes in mood and memory function in as little as a few months—all without the use of pills.

References:
1 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3494735/
2 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3093798/
3 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22746245
4 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3743945/
5 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4063497/