Top 10 Highly Effective Brain Foods that Improve Your Memory

 Hi all friends, now I want to show you about the foods that improve our memory. All of this so YUMMY...

There are...

1. Blueberries—Blueberries serve a wide range of functions for improving mental function. Most notably, regular blueberry consumption has been shown to improve memory function. Furthermore, blueberries are rich in antioxidants, helping to prevent free radical damage. Still not convinced? Research has found that blueberries can also reverse age related declines in motor function, balance, and coordination.
2. Salmon—Rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, salmon helps your brain develop tissue for increasing your brain power. Furthermore, salmon also plays a key role in fighting Alzheimer’s and other age-related cognitive disorders.
3. Flax seeds—Flax seeds are crammed with ALA- a healthy fat that aids the cerebral cortex in functioning better. This is the portion of the brain responsible for processing sensory information. Keeping it sharp is vital.
4. Coffee—Regular coffee drinking has been shown to reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s, Dementia, and other mental disorders. That’s because caffeine is good for the brain (in moderation), and it contains antioxidants. The important thing to note is you shouldn’t add in all the other junk to your coffee (the ridiculous Starbucks drinks crammed with sweeteners and fatty products).
5. Mixed nuts—Peanuts, walnuts, pecans, and other nuts contain properties that help with everything from fighting insomnia to promoting mental clarity and strong memory. Walnuts are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids while almonds contain natural mood-enhancing neurotransmitters.
6. Avocados—Don’t let the avocado’s fat content fool you. It’s a healthy fat that promotes blood flow, keeping your mind functioning at its peak. That’s not all: Avocados have also been shown to reduce blood pressure.
7. Eggs—Egg yolks are rich in choline, an essential nutrient to improving memory function.
8. Whole grains—From oatmeal to whole grain bread, whole grains are excellent brain foods as they improve circulation and contain essential fibers, vitamins, and even some Omega-3. Just make your sandwiches from whole grain breads to enjoy the benefits.
9. Chocolate—Dark chocolate is antioxidant-rich, and it also improves focus and concentration. Milk chocolate, on the other hand, improves memory and reaction time.
10. Broccoli—Broccoli has been shown to improve memory function as well as slow the aging process. This means a broccoli-rich diet will keep you young and sharp.

Now I would like invite you to eat together.
YUMMY!

Source: Health Journal

Read More

Natural Solutions for Bladder Control

Because the incidence of minor bladder leakage and some sense of loss of control of urinary function is so prevalent in women after age 40, some physicians consider it a fairly normal part of the ageing process in women. In fact the incidence of a leaky bladder and weakness in controlling the stream of urination is fundamentally tied to a woman's age and reproductive history and health.
Promoting Health to Improve Kidney and Bladder Function
The process of childbirth, weight gain and loss, sedentary lifestyle and other factors all play a role in contributing to the problem of occasional incontinence.
Physicians seeking non-invasive methods of helping women regain good bladder control and a sense of confidence and actually taking proactive steps to improve their bladder control have many lines of defense to offer. Although the methods of healing offered by most naturopaths may not be an overnight solution there are products to help women overcome their sense of embarrassment at minor leakage problems that can be used while the problem is approached from several avenues.
All of these may take time and effort but they do not require invasive surgery neither do they require a woman to weigh pros and cons of prescription drug therapy or the unpredictable outcome of surgical interventions.
Since the aging process and hormonal levels are key to diagnosing the root of a urinary incontinence problem, the first place a naturopathic physician will start is to look at the hormonal levels of the woman who is seeking help.
Getting to the Root of the Bladder Problem
The tissue making up the urethra is prone to thinning and stretching based upon hormonal health and the functioning of this tissue is absolutely related to its health. Correction of a problem stemming from hormonal and nutritional deficiencies may take some time but are certainly worth a try. Correction of the problem at the root makes for a long term solution. Dietary additions and supplements can turn this trend around for many women. Basically eating a diet rich in phytoestrogens and isoflavones and adding soy containing foods to the diet may be all that is necessary.
Long Term Solutions to Minor Incontinence Take Time
Chronic bladder inflammation often contributes to deeper bladder problems and can be linked often to sensitivities and allergies that may have been undetected. Once these are pinpointed, steps to eliminate dietary problems can be taken. This may include elimination of dairy, soy, egg, wheat (gluten) and or other potential allergens. In fact permanent elimination is not always necessary. But tissues need time to heal.
Don't Underestimate Nutrition's Role in Bladder Problems
Other nutrients and foods that are often found culprit include sugar, caffeine, fatty and fried foods, junk foods and refined foods in general. Basically the system can often do without many of these non-nutrients. Whole body healing can occur and urinary bladder health can return to normal.

The simple act of eliminating caffeine and drinking more water can restore bladder function and health. Caffeine often has the effect of causing undue distress to the bladder, making it more active than normal and irritating the tissues and lining of the bladder. The addition of cranberry juice to the diet, especially in the case of a woman who suffers from repeated urinary tract infections can make a huge difference in bladder health.

It is also often discovered that not having the appropriate intestinal and vaginal bacteria present can exacerbate the problem of incontinence and contributes heavily to yeast infections and pelvic discomfort.

The addition of vitamins B, C, and D and flaxseed oil and bromelain have been suggested by some naturopaths to aid bladder health. Yogurt and /or probiotics have also been seen to make a huge difference.
Herbal Medicines Used to Heal the Bladder
Herbal medicines are also used to aid healing and fight inflammation of the urinary tract include those with diuretic action, also those with astringent, antiseptic and soothing actions. Some of the more frequently mentioned herbal supplements include: horsetail, buchu, usnea, cornsilk, marshmallow root and cleavers.

Interestingly enough when a naturopath studies health problems she or he can often link seemingly unrelated health issues to the same factor and what is good for the bladder is often good for the stomach, the nerves and other systems of the body.
Therapeutic Physical Exercise to Improve Bladder Function
Naturopathic doctors will also often suggest proactive physical exercises and other health inducing activities. Exercises to strengthen the sphincter action of the bladder's openings and the pelvic floor can be very important to helping a woman regain strength and bladder health. Kegels exercises are well known to increase a woman's ability to control her bladder function as well as being good for the strengthening of genital muscles used for sexual activity.

Basically it's all connected, according to the doctor looking for more natural means to help your healing and keep you healthy.

Read More

Stem Cells Restore Cognitive Abilities Impaired by Brain Cancer Treatment

Human neural stem cells are capable of helping people regain learning and memory abilities lost due to radiation treatment for brain tumors, a UC Irvine study suggests.

Research with rats found that stem cells transplanted two days after cranial irradiation restored cognitive function, as measured in one- and four-month assessments. In contrast, irradiated rats not treated with stem cells showed no cognitive improvement.
"Our findings provide solid evidence that such cells can be used to reverse radiation-induced damage of healthy tissue in the brain," said Charles Limoli, a UCI radiation oncology professor.
Study results appear in the July 15 issue of Cancer Research, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research.
Radiotherapy for brain tumors is limited by how well the surrounding tissue tolerates it. Patients receiving radiation at effective levels suffer varying degrees of learning and memory loss that can adversely affect their quality of life.
"In almost every instance, people experience severe cognitive impairment that's progressive and debilitating," Limoli said. "Pediatric cancer patients can experience a drop of up to three IQ points per year."
For the UCI study, multipotent human neural stem cells were transplanted into the brains of rats that had undergone radiation treatment. They migrated throughout the hippocampus -- a region known for the growth of new neurons -- and developed into brain cells.
Researchers assessed the rats one month and four months after transplantation, noting enhanced learning and memory abilities at both intervals.
Additionally, they found that transplanting as few as 100,000 human neural stem cells was sufficient to improve cognition after cranial irradiation. Of cells surviving the process, about 15 percent turned into new neurons, while another 45 percent became astrocytes and oligodendrocytes -- cells that support cerebral neurons.
Most notably, Limoli said, he and his colleagues discovered that about 11 percent of the engrafted cells expressed a behaviorally induced marker of learning, indicating the functional integration of those cells into memory circuits in the hippocampus.
"This research suggests that stem cell therapies may one day be implemented in the clinic to provide relief to patients suffering from cognitive impairments incurred as a result of their cancer treatments," Limoli said. "While much work remains, a clinical trial analyzing the safety of such approaches may be possible within a few years, most likely with patients afflicted with glioblastoma multiforme, a particularly aggressive and deadly form of brain cancer."
Munjal Acharya, Lori-Ann Christie, Mary Lan and Erich Giedzinski of UCI and John Fike and Susanna Rosi of UC San Francisco contributed to the study, which was funded by the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, the National Institutes of Health and the U.S. Department of Energy.

Read More

Natural Cold Treatment

Chicken Soup May Be the Answer

Chicken Soup

Having a cold is miserable. No one likes suffering what seems to be a yearly winter ritual as the latest cold bug makes the rounds. Until someone finds a cure from the common cold, we're stuck with stuffy noses and chest-rattling coughs. Fortunately, natural cold treatment is often as effective as over the counter medications, and surprisingly, grandma had it right in a lot of ways.
Natural Ways to Care for a Cold
The age old cold cure, chicken soup isn't that far off the mark. Mom's steamy bowl of warm broth, meat, and vegetables is actually a great way to help reduce the symptoms of a cold. A steaming bowl of soup helps to loosen mucous and clear out nasal passages. The warm liquid soothes an irritated throat and can reduce inflammation. Best of all, the nutrients commonly found in a good chicken soup include antioxidants, protein, and minerals that can help strengthen your body as it fights off a cold virus.
Of course, chicken soup can't really cure a cold. Sadly, there isn't anything yet known to humankind that can do that. However, there are plenty of ways to reduce cold symptoms and make a cold victim more comfortable.
* If congestion is an issue, moist heat is the best treatment. A hot shower or a steaming cup of tea will loosen mucous and ease inflamed bronchial tubes.
* Coughing can be eased with a spoonful of honey. This is a good treatment for young children over 1 year of age that shouldn't take cold medicine.
* Use a cool mist humidifier, especially at night, to ease coughing and congestion.
* Treat a sore throat by gargling with a cup of warm water with 1 teaspoon of salt dissolved in it 2 to 3 times a day.
* Vitamin C can't cure or prevent a cold, but studies show it may shorten the duration of a cold, so try taking a supplement and eating foods high in vitamin C.
In general, your body will combat any sickness more effectively if it is healthy before the infection. Perhaps the best defense against a cold is to eat a wide variety of healthy foods that are mostly plant based. Regular exercise will also result in a strong cardio-vascular system which means a respiratory infection may be less severe. It goes without saying that plenty of hand washing will help prevent colds and protect others if you are infected.
Hydration is essential to combating colds or most other illnesses. Although regular fluid intake is important in general, it can be a vital element in combating a cold. Aim for eight 10 ounce glasses of fluid each day. Water is the best fluid for the body, but juice, sports drinks and herbal tea are also good choices in moderation. Avoid drinks like cola and coffee that are high in caffeine because they will hamper your ability to rest and act as a diuretic that will make you have to go to the bathroom more often and can lead to dehydration. Of course, grandma's chicken soup is not only a great fluid for treating colds, but a great way to lift your spirits too.

Read More

When to Use Cold Medicine

How to Safely Use Cold Medicine

It's easy to reach for cold medicine when you aren't feeling well, and, generally speaking, there isn't any reason why a healthy adult shouldn't. However, there are some medicines that should only be used for a short time and others that are not appropriate for certain people.

                                                           Cold Medicine 101

There has been a lot of press about cold medicine over the past few years. Some doctors have come out saying that cold medicine is not only unhelpful, it can even be harmful. However, the majority of medical professionals still feel that the right medications can be helpful in treating cold symptoms.
In general, problems with cold medicines come in two areas: accidental overdose and previous health conditions. Many people choose combination cold medicines because they are convenient and treat a wide array of symptoms. However, combinations medicines can be dangerous because people often don't realize what drugs the medicines contain and may double dose themselves by taking more than one type of medicine.
Another common problem associated with cold medicines occurs when a person has a previous medical condition and takes a cold medication that aggravates that condition. People with asthma, certain allergies, high blood pressure, heart disease or who are pregnant or take certain prescription medications should be especially careful when taking cold medicines. If you suffer from any pre-existing medical condition, ask your doctor for a list of safe medications.
In general, the following tips can help in the proper use of over the counter cold medicines. If you have any doubts about whether or not a medication is right for you, consult your doctor or a pharmacist.
* Treat only the symptoms that are present. If you have congestion but no cough, don't take a combination runny nose/cough medicine.
* Carefully follow the dosage instructions on a medication and know what is in it.
* People with asthma should avoid medications that contain antihistamines because they thicken mucous secretions and can cause difficulty breathing.
* People with uncontrolled high blood pressure should avoid decongestants or take medications designed specifically for those with high blood pressure.
* Nasal sprays can actually increase congestion if used for more than three consecutive days. Non-medicated saline sprays are a good alternative.
* Many doctors feel cough medicines are ineffective and should be avoided. If you have a serious cough, contact your doctor for a medical opinion.

Cold Medicine for Kids

In 2007, the FDA released a statement recommending that cold medicines not be used in children under the age of 6. The age has recently been reduced to 4, but it's best to consult a pediatrician before administering cold medicine to young children. As with adults, many of the problems with children's cold medicine arose because of combination medicines. Parents often didn't realize that a cold medicine contained a fever reducer like acetaminophen or ibuprofen and gave their children a second dose of those medicines. These overdoses resulted in dangerous medical complications and even deaths. While it is tempting to give cold medicine to an uncomfortable child, you should always consult a pediatrician first. Often, a doctor will okay the use of medication but may have specific guidelines or suggestions for your child.

Read More

Common Cold vs the Flu

                                 Is it the Flu?
Flu season is upon us, and it's likely that you or someone in your family is going to get sick if they aren't already! But is the congestion and body aches the result of influenza or just a nasty cold? Our handy primer will help you tell the difference between the potentially dangerous flu and a common cold.


What is the Flu?

Part of the confusion that surrounds influenza stems from the fact that people use the term "flu" to describe several different illnesses that range from stomach viruses to sinus infections. The "stomach flu," is not an actual medical diagnosis. Instead, it's a common name used for gastroenteritis. Likewise, some people refer to a severe cold as the flu when it is actually a rhinovirus or similar respiratory infection.

True influenza is a specific virus (with three variations known as influenza A, B, and C) and is the only virus that can cause an honest case of the flu. On the other hand, the common cold can be caused by over a thousand different viruses. Unfortunately, many cold viruses can have symptoms quite similar to those seen in influenza. Knowing if you have influenza can be important because the flu can lead to more serious problems like pneumonia.
The Difference Between Colds and Flu

It can be difficult to distinguish between a common cold vs. the flu, especially if you've never had the flu before. If you still aren't sure after reading this article, you may want to call your doctor who can conduct a test to determine if you have influenza.
Common Cold Symptoms

The common cold can be cause by a wide variety of viruses, so it's rare to have two colds that present in exactly the same way. That being said, most colds do have some common features.

* A cold usually begins with a sore throat that goes away after 1 to 2 days.
* Most colds begin gradually and get worse over the course of 7 to 10 days.
* After a sore throat, most colds cause a runny nose or congestion.
* About five days after the first symptoms, many colds result in a cough.
* Fevers are rare in adults with common colds and usually remain low grade (under 102° F).
* If cold symptoms last beyond ten days, you may have developed a secondary bacterial infection and should see a doctor.

Flu Symptoms

Those who have had the flu often say that they would never mistake it for a cold. Influenza is a serious viral infection that often strikes without warning leaving victims feeling as if they were hit by a ton of bricks. The following are signs of the flu.

* The flu is almost always accompanied by a fever, often reaching temperatures of 102° F or more.
* The flu comes on quite suddenly over a period of 24 to 48 hours and initially manifests as sever body aches, headache, congestion, and cough.
* The flu causes extreme exhaustion, especially in the early stages. Many people feel as if they can't get out of bed.
* The flu often causes moderate to severe chest pain.
* Coughing, sneezing, and congestion may come with flu but are usually less pronounced than in a cold.

If you suspect that you or a member of your family has the flu, you should contact a doctor immediately. There are anti-viral medications that can dramatically reduce the symptoms and length of the influenza infection, but they are only affective if given within the first day or two of infection. Most healthy adults recover from the flu within 1 to 2 weeks. Young children, the elderly, pregnant women and those with compromised immune systems are especially vulnerable to the flu and should be watched carefully throughout the duration of the illness.

Read More

Adulterated Cocaine Causing Serious Skin Reactions; With Up to 70 Percent Contaminated, Doctors Warn of Potential Public Health Epidemic

The report, published online in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, said six patients developed purple-colored patches of necrotic skin on their ears, nose, cheeks and other parts of their body and, in some instances, suffered permanent scarring after they had used cocaine.
Doctors in San Francisco had previously reported two similar cases there. Others have also reported on users of contaminated cocaine who developed a related life-threatening immune-system disorder called agranulocytosis, which kills 7% to 10% of patients.
The U.S. Department of Justice has reported that up to 70% of cocaine in the U.S. is contaminated with the drug, levamisole, which is cheap, widely available and commonly used for deworming livestock. Levamisole had been prescribed for humans in the past but was discontinued after developing side effects similar to those found in the cocaine users.
"We believe these cases of skin reactions and illnesses linked to contaminated cocaine are just the tip of the iceberg in a looming public health problem posed by levamisole," said Noah Craft, MD, PhD, a Los Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center (LA BioMed) principal researcher and author of the report in the Journal. "We published this report to educate the public to the additional risks associated with cocaine use and to increase awareness among physicians who may see patients with these skin reactions that are a clue to the underlying cause of the disease. Because this reaction can commonly be mistaken as an autoimmune disease called vasculitis, it is important for physicians to know about this new disease entity."
Dr. Craft said he and other physicians were initially baffled by the severity of the skin damage. He is a member of a team of doctors who advise Logical Images, a company that developed a software program, called VisualDx, for diagnosing skin diseases and other conditions.
During one of their conference calls in May 2010, Dr. Craft said they began discussing the skin damage seen in emergency rooms in New York and Los Angeles and realized they were all seeing similar patterns and that the one common thread was the use of cocaine prior to the development of the skin damage. The cases were pooled and added into the professional database immediately so that other physicians across the US were then able to see this new diagnosis.
"We have had several more cases since we wrote this report," he said. "In one of the more interesting ones, the patient used cocaine again and developed the same skin reaction again. He then switched drug dealers and the problem cleared up."

From: SD

Read More

Could a Birth Control Pill for Men Be On the Horizon? Retinoic Acid Receptor Antagonist Interferes With Sperm Production

Earlier results of the experiments using this RAR antagonist were published in the June 1st issue of Endocrinology, and an abstract extending the studies to longer drug delivery periods is scheduled for the Late Breaking Oral Session of ENDO 2011: The 93rd Annual Meeting & Expo in Boston, Massachusetts.
(The abstract, titled "Meeting Men's Contraceptive Needs -- Long-Term Oral-Administered Retinoic Acid Receptor Antagonist Inhibits Spermatogenesis in Mice with a Reversible and Rapid Recovery," was presented June 4 at the session by first author Sanny S. W. Chung, Ph.D.)
The researchers found that low doses of the drug stopped sperm production with no apparent side effects. And crucial for a contraceptive, normal fertility was restored soon after drug administration was terminated.
Earlier research had led the investigators to the discovery that manipulating the retinoid receptor pathway could interfere with the process of spermatogenesis, which is necessary for sperm production.
Scientists have known for almost 100 years that depriving an animal of dietary vitamin A causes male sterility. While investigating targeted loss of function of the gene encoding one of the RARs, RARalpha, which results in male infertility, senior author Debra J. Wolgemuth, Ph.D., ran across a paper by Bristol-Myers Squibb on a compound that was being tested for the treatment of skin and inflammatory diseases. The compound seemed to cause changes in the testis similar to the mutation that she and Dr. Chung were studying in Dr. Wolgemuth's lab.
(Dr. Wolgemuth is professor of genetics and development and of obstetrics and gynecology; and Dr. Chung is an associate research scientist, both at Columbia University Medical Center).
Bristol-Myers dropped its interest when it found that the compound also was ¬- in the company's words -- "a testicular toxin." The paper did not elaborate on how the drug caused infertility, so Dr. Wolgemuth and her team tested the drug in mice to find out; they noted that the changes it caused were similar to what one sees with vitamin A-deficiency and loss of function of RARalpha.
"We were intrigued," said Dr. Wolgemuth. "One company's toxin may be another person's contraceptive."
To investigate whether the compound prevented conception at even lower levels than those cited in the company's study, Dr. Wolgemuth and her team placed the treated male mice with females and found that reversible male sterility occurred with doses as low as 1.0mg/kg of body weight for a 4-week dosing period.
One advantage of using a non-steroidal approach, the researchers say, is avoiding the side effects commonly associated with steroidal hormone-based methods.
Male steroid-based options have been plagued with adverse effects, including ethnic variability in efficacy, as well as an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and benign prostatic hyperplasia.
Another side effect of hormonal options for men has been diminished libido. That drawback will also likely be avoided if a method involving manipulation of the retinoid receptor pathway proves successful.
"We have seen no side effects, so far, and our mice have been mating quite happily," said Dr. Wolgemuth.
The researchers say the drug will not affect vision. Although dietary vitamin A is responsible for the production of light-sensitive receptors in the eye, it does not use the RARs in this process.
"An additional benefit of our compound is that it can be taken orally as a pill, avoiding the injection process. It also appears to have a very rapid effect on sperm production and an even more rapid recovery when fertility is desired," said Dr. Chung.
But to make the pill a reality, researchers need to show that the compound is safe, effective -- and reversible -- when used for years.
Drs. Wolgemuth and Chung are now planning longer-term studies to determine how long fertility can be disrupted and still recover after administration of the drug stops. "We hope that in the not so distant future, we may finally have more choices for people," said Dr. Chung.
Authors of the Endocrinology study are Sanny S. W. Chung, Xiangyuan Wang, Shelby S. Roberts, Stephen M. Griffey, Peter R. Reczek, and Debra J. Wolgemuth.
This study was supported in part by grants initially from CONRAD and subsequently from the NIH, NICHD.

Reference: SD

Read More

Pollinators Make Critical Contribution to Healthy Diets

The new study was carried out by an interdisciplinary research team, composed of pollination ecologists and a nutrition expert, based at the Leuphana University of Lüneburg, the University of Berlin in Germany, and the University of California at Berkeley and San Francisco. The research team showed that globally "animal-pollinated crops contain the majority of the available dietary lipid, vitamin A, C and E, and a large portion of the minerals calcium, fluoride, and iron worldwide. The yield increase attributable to animal-dependent pollination of these crops is significant and could have a potentially drastic effect on human nutrition if jeopardized."

More specifically, the team showed that in the global crop supply, several key vitamins and other nutrients related to lower risk for cancer and heart disease are present predominantly in crops propagated by pollinators. These include the carotenoids lycopene and ß-cryptoxanthin, which are found in brightly colored red, orange and yellow fruits and vegetables. Other important antioxidants, including several forms of vitamin E and more than 90% of the available vitamin C, are provided by crops that are pollinated by bees and other animals.

Key minerals for the development of bones and teeth, including more than 50% of calcium and fluoride available in the global food supply, are present in crops produced with pollinators. Plant sources of calcium, such as sesame seed, almond or spinach, are particularly important in regions of the world where dairy production is often not culturally, environmentally or financially feasible.

The animal-pollinated crops included in this study vary in the extent of their dependence on animal pollinators, with many able to propagate via alternative mechanisms, such as wind or self pollination. Despite this, the researchers estimate that up to 40% of some essential nutrients provided by fruits and vegetables could be lost without pollinators.

Bees and other animal pollinators are experiencing declines in many parts of the globe. Many farmers around the world depend on the European honey bee, importing them seasonally to pollinate their fields. However, the European honey bee has suffered massive overwintering losses, proposed causes of which include disease, pesticides and lack of nutritional (floral) resources. Wild pollinators that provide pollination services "for free" are also declining rapidly as habitat is destroyed by intensive farming practices such as agrochemical-based monoculture. The results of this study demonstrate the potential impact of this pollinator decline on human health.

Read More