Taking Care of You and Your Brain is Possible

Some time in his youth, Andrew Weil spoke to how there could be better medicine. He felt strongly about what he defined as “the meat of medicine”, the placebo effect. Today, most in the medical industry contest the impact of the placebo effect, and dismiss many natural treatments on this alone.

Today, people are seeking help to avoid or lessen the impact of Alzheimer’s dis-ease and memory loss in aging. Looking at what you can do naturally to protect your brain and memory is very important.

Well known herbalist Christopher Hobbs has addressed herbs for the “Over Forty” set, and lists the following ones as helpful:

Ginkgo biloba
Chocolate, without the fat and sugar, a great anti-oxidant and anti-cancer food
Dandelion
Milk Thistle
Hawthorne
Ginger
Ginseng

Other researchers recommend:

B vitamins
Vitamin E
Coenzyme Q 10
Essential Fatty Acids (EFAS), especially flax and walnut oils
Phosphatidyl Serine (a factor extracted from lecithin, which I suggest in place of phosphatidyl serine)
Pregnenelone, the mother hormone

Nutritional supplements and herbs, even though these are under fire by the FDA, can be very helpful in reducing the effects of aging. Taking a look at your health status to find the best supplements for you is something to consider doing now. Do your own research; work with a well-educated natural health practitioner. You might consider getting a Voice Print, which is a form of sound healing that identifies your strengths and weaknesses, and offers remedies, based on the frequencies in your voice.

Other important considerations are exercise, good nutritional supplements (well above RDA levels), and diet.

Some researchers find that the use of calorie restriction by eating less food, and healthier food, is a major contributing factor in the prevention and reversal of the effects of aging and memory impairment. Getting good nutrition, especially more organic and whole foods, with fruits and vegetables aids in the protective process and protects us from degenerative dis-ease and problems of aging.

Exercise contributes improved blood circulation, improved lymph cleansing, and increased oxygenation of blood and therefore better cellular and brain oxygen levels. Some people do use a combined exercise and oxygen system where you ride a stationary bike while breathing high concentrations of oxygen for twenty minutes, on a regular program. One of my favorite exercises is Tai Chi. This martial art has been proven to strengthen bone and improve balance, thereby reducing falls and fractured bones.

Meditation, even for as little as ten minutes daily, serves to lower heart rate and blood pressure according to many studies done over several decades in major medical schools. Reducing circulating cortisol in the blood helps the brain’s memory center. Cortisol is an adrenal hormone produced by these endocrine glands in stress. Meditation and mindfulness reduce cortisol levels. An often overlooked consideration is something called ‘engagement’, which is simply means staying connected to your world, through friends, family, or activities you do with other people.

Unfortunately, some researchers suggest using NSAIDS (Ibuprofen, Acetaminophen, etc.) and estrogen for protective benefit. In my opinion, based on a review of the hazards of these drugs, I do not support their use. NSAIDS are known to cause liver and kidney problems. Estrogen is known to promote some cancers and heart dis-ease.

Avoid fluoride if you can. It is getting harder these days as more and more food, water, and medicines are contaminated with this harmful element. I find it odd that there are so many cases of arthritis, digestive problems, mood and memory dis-orders that are unable to be identified. If you read what I read you know that fluoride is a major factor, but overlooked in mainstream medicine.

I guess if I pray long and hard enough things might just change. Until then take good care.

© CHI 2005