Foods and Vitamins that Improve Memory and Natural Brain Function

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Foods and Vitamins that Improve Memory and Natural Brain Function

_http://www.naturalnews.com/026331.html_

(http://www.naturalnews.com/026331.html)

 

NaturalNews) The brain can maintain optimum performance if care is taken

with nutrition to prevent age-related memory loss. Keeping the mind active

is important, especially as the brain ages. Learning a new language or skill

can help keep the brain plastic. Research shows that three hours a day of

mental activity, such as crossword puzzles, can help prevent senile

dementia. Some foods have a special affinity to brain function.

 

Nutrients from the sea

Fish has been called, " brain food " for good reasons. It contains Omega-3

_fatty acids_ (http://www.naturalnews.com/fatty_acids.html) that contribute

to brain _health_ (http://www.naturalnews.com/health.html) . Interestingly,

_iodine_ (http://www.naturalnews.com/iodine.html) , also from the sea, is an

important nutrient used by _the brain_

(http://www.naturalnews.com/the_brain.html) . Iodine is present in seaweed and

in iodized salt. Oysters

contain zinc that stimulates nerve functioning and activity, and cognitive

function.

 

Vitamins for the brain

 

1. Acetyl-l-carnitine is also found in the brain. It protects your

_brain cells_ (http://www.naturalnews.com/brain_cells.html) and increases

blood flow in the brain. One of its important functions is to synthesize

the neurotransmitter, acetylcholine, which helps with memory by increasing

activity of the mitochondria in brain cells. Research with acetylcholine with

Alzheimer and diabetic patients showed improved _brain chemistry_

(http://www.naturalnews.com/brain_chemistry.html) .

 

2. Vitamin B12 helps repair nerve fibers in the brain. Research shows that

it may also decrease the _blood_ (http://www.naturalnews.com/blood.html)

levels of the amino acid homocysteine, which decreases _brain function_

(http://www.naturalnews.com/brain_function.html) .

 

3. Vitamin E

A nationally funded study of _vitamin E_

(http://www.naturalnews.com/vitamin_E.html) showed that it protects _nerve

cells_

(http://www.naturalnews.com/nerve_cells.html) from damage, possibly from its

_antioxidant_

(http://www.naturalnews.com/antioxidant.html) effects. The study used high

doses

that should be prescribed by a physician, as vitamin E can interfere with blood

clotting medications.

 

4. Omega-3 fatty acids

Omega-3s are found in the fatty membranes in nerve cells in the brain.

Research has shown that omega-3s can reduce _dementia_

(http://www.naturalnews.com/dementia.html) . The FDA has now allowed _food_

(http://www.naturalnews.com/food.html) supplements to post health claims on

labels of _omega-3s_

(http://www.naturalnews.com/omega-3s.html) that state, " Supportive but not

conclusive research shows that consumption of EPA and DHA _omega-3 fatty

acids_ (http://www.naturalnews.com/omega-3_fatty_acids.html) may reduce the

risk of coronary heart disease. " The recommended dose, according to _the

FDA_ (http://www.naturalnews.com/the_FDA.html) , is 3 grams a day.

 

Herbal Brain Enhancers

 

1. Ginseng is an adaptogen that helps improve brain function by increasing

the release of hormones. Ginseng has been used to treat those with

_learning_ (http://www.naturalnews.com/learning.html) disabilities.

 

2. Gingko Biloba: Acts as a tonic to the circulatory system by increasing

_blood flow_ (http://www.naturalnews.com/blood_flow.html) to the brain,

which also brings more _nutrition_ (http://www.naturalnews.com/nutrition.html)

to the brain. Several compounds of the plant are thought to provide the

functions of both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties to the brain.

Ginkgo is a traditional Chinese herbal _medicine_

(http://www.naturalnews.com/medicine.html) and further research in its

usefulness in brain

chemistry is ongoing.

 

3. Bacopa is an herb used in Ayurvedic medicine to improve brain function

since the 6th century.

 

4. Huperia serrata has been used in Chinese medicine to aid brain

function. The mechanism seems to imitate that of FDA approved drugs so clinical

trials are underway in the National Institute on Aging.

 

Proper brain nutrition can go a long way in maintaining and restoring

healthy brain function.

 

_http://brain.web-us.com_ (http://brain.web-us.com/)

_http://www.alz.org/_ (http://www.alz.org/)

_http://www.naturalnews.com/025813.html_

(http://www.naturalnews.com/025813.html)

 

 

About the author

Melanie Grimes is a writer, screenwriter, journal editor, and adjunct

faculty member at Bastyr University.She has written an eBook on natural

treatments for _the flu_ (http://www.naturalnews.com/the_flu.html) , available

at

her blog.

A trained homeopath, she also raises alpacas and is an avid spinner. She

is the editor of the homeopathic journal, Simillimum, has been a medical

editor for 15 years, won awards as a screenwriter, taught creative writing,

founded the first Birkenstock store in the USA (_www.mjfeet.com_

(http://www.mjfeet.com/) ) and authored medical textbooks.

Her ebook on Natural Remedies for the Flu is available at:

_http://melanie-grimes.blogspot.com/..._

(http://melanie-grimes.blogspot.com/2009/04/buy-natural-flu-remedy-ebook-here.ht\

ml)

Follow her blog at

_http://melanie-grimes.blogspot.com/_ (http://melanie-grimes.blogspot.com/)

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