Ginkgo Biloba Treatment Annandale VA

8 Ways to Feed Your Brain

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It really is all in your head—all three pounds and 100 billion neurons of it, that super biocomputer affectionately known as the brain. And now that Americans live, on average, for 78 years (three decades longer than they did in 1900), it doesn’t take, well, a brain surgeon to figure out that nurturing the brain’s health makes perfect sense.

Studies clearly illustrate how lifestyle choices can directly impact the brain’s physiological well-being. Mental stimulation, loving companionship, social interaction, regular exercise, and a healthy diet undoubtedly benefit the brain—and the individual as a whole. Of course, our genes have their own fateful designs, and Father Time ultimately takes his toll—with Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis, stroke, or depression as the potential fee. Fortunately, a growing body of research suggests that certain natural substances may help protect the brain during aging, along with possibly enhancing its function in the short and long terms. Here are 10 to consider. Ginkgo biloba. Almost universally accepted as an effective treatment for deteriorating memory and early-stage Alzheimer’s disease, this age-old herb boasts high levels of antioxidants and enhances blood flow in the brain.

1. Omega-3 fatty acids
Used to manufacture and maintain cell membranes, omega-3s act as anti-inflammatories and mildly thin the blood. Omega-3s come in three major types: Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). Omega-3s, especially DHA and EPA, may augment brain function by fortifying the myelin sheath, a fatty membrane that covers and insulates each nerve cell. They might also help the blood deliver nutrients directly into neurons. Results from a Harvard Medical School-McLean Hospital study found that DHA/EPA supplements significantly reduced depression and mania in bipolar-disorder patients. Dosage: 200 mg to 2 grams/day.

2. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
CoQ10 activates specific enzymes in the “powerhouses” of cells, the mitochondria, to produce adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the cells’ primary energy source. Then, in its role as an antioxidant, it helps neutralize the free radicals that get created during ATP production. Scientists from University of California, San Diego School of Medicine demonstrated that Parkinson’s patients had lower levels of CoQ10 than healthy controls, possibly indicating diminished ATP production in the patients’ brains. The research also showed that CoQ10 supplements actually slowed the functional decline of early-stage Parkinson’s. Dosage: 30 mg to 200 mg/day.

Acetyl-L-Carnitine (ALC)
Acetyl-L-carnitine (ALC helps deliver long-chain fatty acids into the nerve cells’ mitochondria for ATP production and acts as a potent antioxidant. Recent research suggests that levels of ALC decrease with age, which may lead to decreased ATP production and free-radical stress in neurons, potential factors in the loss of mental acuity or age-related demen...

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