Exercise Body and Brain to Maintain Lifelong Cognitive Health
Copyright (c) 2008 SharpBrains
The American Medical News, a weekly newspaper for physicians published by the American Medical Association, just published an excellent article on the importance of Exercise – Physical and Mental:
A few quotes from the article titled “Steps to a nimble mind: Physical and mental exercise help keep the brain fit”:
“Until recently, conventional wisdom held that our brains were intractable, hard-wired computers. What we were born with was all we got. Age wore down memory and the ability to understand, and few interventions could reverse this process. But increasingly, evidence suggests that physical and mental exercise can alter specific brain regions, making radical improvements in cognitive function.”
and
“With nearly 72 million Americans turning 65 over the next two decades, physicians need the tools to handle growing patient concerns about how to best maintain brain health. Armed with this new brand of science, frontline physicians will be better equipped to address the needs of aging baby boomers, already in the throes of the brain fitness revolution.
One of the physicians quoted in the article is Gary J. Kennedy, MD, Director of the Division of Geriatric Psychiatry at Montefiore Medical Center in NYC and a professor in the Dept. of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Albert Einstein College of Medicine.
To put the AMA article in better perspective, we asked Dr. Kennedy a few follow-up questions. Below you have his questions.
Alvaro Fernandez (AF): Can you summarize how cognitive functions tend to evolve as we age?
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Gary Kennedy (GK): As we age cognitive functions that rely on processing speed or reaction time decline, slow down. Problem solving speed declines. This is in part the result of frayed neuronal insulation as the myelin sheath surrounding the axons wears thin with advanced age or illness. However it is possible to specialize and optimize some cognitive processes through experience, practice and planning. For example vocabulary can increase to age 90 provided there is ongoing stimulation and motivation to learn. And the growth and development of new brain cells can be augmented with the stimulating effects of physical exercise.
AF: Now, there are very significant cognitive differences among individuals of the same age, so age itself is not the main predictor. Can you explain what may be?
GK: Age also has the effect of amplifying differences between individuals. This is the result of variability in aging itself, freedom from or accumulation of illnesses and injury, and life style. The influence of genetics is largely exhausted by the 6 and 7th decades of life which means that habitual activities and social relationships have a larger and larger impact resulting in greater and greater variability between individuals.
AF: Can you please explain the relationship between cognitive and emotional health (what we typically call “brain fitness”)
GK: Cognitive health requires motivation to sustain it and motivation depends on emotion and social reinforcement. Emotional self-regulation is not simply self control. Rather it is the capacity to respond to an emotional stress without prolonged loss of equilibrium. And it is the capacity to modify emotional reactions to resonate with others in the environment. Thought and feeling when linked together can be a powerful stimulus for learning, both for better and for worse. A positive outlook with an active response style is more protective than a tendency toward negativism and withdrawal.
AF: What advice would you give to people who want to maintain their brain in top shape?
GK: Simply finding a partner for regular physical activity is one of the best prescriptions for improving brain function. Staying emotionally, intellectually and socially engaged is also good advice. And the more the better. The brain is a muscle – use it or lose it.
AF: And what advice would you give to doctors and health professionals on how to help their patients?
GK: Doctors and all health professionals need to know how to motivate their patients to make the changes in life style that will promote healthy aging. Small, meaningful changes are relatively easy to achieve if the professional simply asks. Two straightforward examples: “how often do you enjoy an alcoholic beverage?” and “how often do you get a half hour of physical activity, walking or exercising?” can help the older person to minimize alcohol and maximize exercise. Brief interventions work surprisingly well.
AF: Thank you very mmuch for your time and advice.
GK: You are welcome.
Alvaro Fernandez is the Co-Founder of SharpBrains.com, which reviews resources for brain fitness, such as cognitive assessments and cognitive therapy . SharpBrains has been recognized by Scientific American Mind, The New York Times, and more. Alvaro holds MA in Education and MBA from Stanford University, and teaches The Science of Brain Health at UC-Berkeley Lifelong Learning Institute.
Two Sunshine Coast Mothers Have Created the Worlds First Customized Recipe Search Tool For Foodies with Multiple Food Allergies & Food Intolerances
Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia (PRWEB) January 23, 2012
Every mother knows that preparing meals for the family each night is a task filled with peril. The same old favorites can become monotonous & routine, and trying new dishes runs the risk of rejection. There is much disappointment when hours of food preparation have been met with lacklustre responses or blatant refusal by family members.
Imagine how this could be compounded when choices are limited by multiple food allergies or intolerances.????It is this conundrum that inspired the creation of TheAllergyMenu.Com, the Worlds First Customized Recipe Search Tool, for people with multiple food allergies or intolerances.
The Allergy Menu is the brainchild of two Sunshine Coast mothers, Pauline O’Sullivan & Michelle Kazukaitis, who have spent the last two years building the online resource, specifically to cater for those with multiple food restrictions. The idea came about after Pauline’s 7 year old daughter, Emmanuelle, developed severe facial eczema.
“When my daughter was diagnosed with intolerances to gluten, dairy and salicylates 3 years ago, I felt like I had to learn the equivalent of a degree in nutrition. Learning to prepare safe meals for her and understand how to manage her condition became an all consuming occupation.” It affected every aspect of Pauline’s life, requiring her to cook everything from scratch & prepare for every food related eventuality. “I was desperate for a resource that could help me pull it all together and was constantly trawling the internet and bookstores looking for recipes and health information. That’s when I decided that if the market did not have what I needed, I would need to create it myself.”, she says. Pauline joined forces with long-time friend Michelle Kazukaitis, and The Allergy Menu was born.
There has been a significant increase in food allergies and intolerances during the past ten years. Official figures estimate that 1 in 20 Australian children have food allergies, but a recent study conducted by Immunologist Professor Katie Allen from the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, reveals that the figures may be much higher. The Victorian based study found that one in 10 of the 5000 Australian infants studied, had a potentially fatal food allergy. The most common food allergens are everyday proteins like eggs, peanuts, milk and fish.
Disconcertingly, Australia has the highest prevalence of peanut allergy among children, gluten intolerance is at epidemic proportions and one child in every 50 has a dairy allergy.
The numbers of people suffering from salicylate sensitivities, fructose malabsorption, corn allergies & reactions to the amines, nitrates & glutamates in everyday food items is rapidly increasing too. These food related health epidemics mean that the waiting list to see an allergist in Australia can be up to 2 years long in many locations.
As a result, families are struggling with the day to day necessities of providing suitable meals and snacks for the ever increasing number of children with serious food allergies and intolerances. It can be an enormous burden, and a steep learning curve for the newly diagnosed, requiring the cooperation and understanding of the entire family, as well as friends, teachers & schools.
“When dealing with food allergies, simple events like birthday parties and weekend barbecues can become a minefield, and can contribute to the already heightened level of stress in modern families”, says Pauline. “I could see that what was needed was a dedicated recipe website, that would enable users like me to quickly access healthy, varied & safe recipes free of multiple allergens”.
http://www.theallergymenu.com goes beyond the top 8 allergens (milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, soy & wheat), and allows users to customize their recipe search to eliminate over 20 different items, such as fructose, corn, amines, salicylates, oxalates, fructans, polyols & glutamates. The website also caters for specific diets such as the GAPS diet & the Gluten Free, Casein Free diet which are commonly recommended for children with Autism & ADHD.
With our site you can focus again on what you would like to eat, rather than on what you cant eat, says Pauline. Everyones dietary needs are different, so you will find a wide variety of foods on our site (including nuts for celiacs and eggs for vegetarians). If you cant tolerate these ingredients, the search function will eliminate them from your selection in one easy search.
“There are hundreds of beautiful recipes that we have carefully adapted to be safe and taste great too, says Michelle. And we add new ones constantly. “We are so proud of what we have achieved together. It has been a labour of love, and we are confident that it will help many people”.
Visit The Allergy Menu at http://www.theallergymenu.com
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Bay Area Best Hair Salons, Body, Soul and Spirit Salon Offers New Products, Hair Care Tips
San Francisco, CA (PRWEB) January 21, 2012
Body, Soul and Spirit Salon, one of the Bay Areas best hair salons, offers two new hair care treatment options: Nourish by Healthy Hair Plus Awaken & Replenish? Shampoo, and Nourish by Healthy Hair Plus Awaken & Replenish? Conditioner.
“These two new products contain advanced Trichogen? complex and a combination of herbal extracts that reduce hair and scalp dryness; add moisture, elasticity and nutrition; enhance hair volume, body and texture; and fight dryness and breakage,” said June Armstead of Body, Soul and Spirit Salon.
For more information about the benefits of the Nourish by Healthy Hair Plus shampoo or conditioner, please view Body, Soul and Spirit Salons online store at http://www.bodysoulandspiritsalon.com.
Body, Soul and Spirit Salon would also like to recommend the following hair care tips for different types of hair:
1) Always blow dry hair on low to medium heat, not on high heat.
2) Split ends are the most common cause of hair breakage. Regular trims will help avoid split ends and retain the best shape and natural volume for thick or curly hair.
3) Olive oil nourishes a dry scalp and the hair. It also improves hair’s overall strength and elasticity.
4) When shampooing, use finger tips to gently rub scalp.
5) To dry hair, pat and squeeze with a towel.
Opened in 2002 by expert cosmetologist and trichologist June Armstead, Body, Soul and Spirit Salon caters to clients who have special hair treatment needs. Having experienced hair loss for years herself, Armstead has thoroughly researched hair treatments and therapy techniques. Her intimate knowledge of hair has made her an authority in hair care and maintenance, and she and her staff are truly committed to the maintenance of healthy hair that looks exquisite.
Body, Soul and Spirit Salon is a Trichology Clinic specializing in achieving and maintaining healthy hair by providing treatment and services to those suffering from scalp issues, hair damage, hair breakage and/or hair loss. Aside from addressing hair and scalp disorders, the hair salon provides basic hair care services to clients struggling with hair damage.
For more information about any of Body, Soul and Spirit Salons products or services, call 415-333-7261, view the salon on the web at http://www.bodysoulandspiritsalon.com or visit 222 Leland Ave. in San Francisco.
For daily hair care tips from Body, Soul and Spirit Salon, visit it on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/BodySoulSpirit or Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/BodySoulAndSpiritSalon.
About Body, Soul and Spirit Salon
Body, Soul and Spirit Salon is one of the best hair salons in the Bay Area. It specializes in achieving and maintaining healthy hair. Through meticulous hair care treatment and hair therapy, Body, Soul and Spirit Salon makes every effort to help a clients hair reach and sustain its maximum health potential. Products are custom blended for each client because what works best for one client may not work well for another.
Services include consultations, hair lab analysis, hair care services, treatment and therapies.
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Low-Carb Diets and Diabetes
Article by Hugh Mauldin
In a low-carb diet, the carbohydrate intake is limited to about 5 to 10 percent, such that protein and fats take precedence in one’s eating habits, to be able to keep sated and avoid bouts of hunger. It is in maintaining that feeling of fullness that one is able to avoid craving for sweets, and this is a good reason for diabetics to adopt a diet that is low in carbohydrates to control their condition. Following this type of diet prevents excessive consumption of carbohydrates, which leads to higher levels of blood sugar.
Diabetes is a condition in which the body is unable to properly take in starch and sugar. For a diet to work in favor of a diabetic, it has to be low in fat, high in fiber, and packed with minerals, vitamins, phytochemicals, and antioxidants. Keeping to the kinds of food with low glycemic index is also important. Foods that are permitted in low-carb diets are meat, poultry, eggs, cheese, fish, and some selected vegetables.
Although some sources say that to eliminate carbohydrates altogether is not recommended for diabetics, as carbohydrates in the diet are vital, because they serve as the main resource of energy and nutrients within our bodies. In a diabetic’s diet, carbohydrates in excessive amounts may be frowned at, but authorities recommend a daily dosage of not less than 130 grams. On the other hand, studies have shown that the low-carb diet caused no undesirable effects on the levels of insulin, glucose, blood pressure or cholesterol. It is also worthwhile to note that one can alter a diet according to his or her specific needs. In this regard, before following any diet, be sure to check with your physician to make sure you will be getting all the right nutrients that will help you control your condition. Doing so will also help you pinpoint areas of the regimen that you should alter for a more appropriate eating habit.
The effects of limiting the amount of carbohydrates in your diet manifest as loss of weight due to a lesser calorie intake, or the successful maintenance of your ideal weight. Remember that with weight loss, the body’s blood sugar and insulin levels naturally improve. Even just a 10 percent weight loss is a substantial improvement towards being in better control of diabetes.
Also, when weight loss is part of your goal of achieving better health to make your condition more bearable, then a carefully planned diet is best paired with an exercise routine that is easy enough to follow. Daily walks and a couple of dozen repetitions with free weights are good low-impact exercises you can adopt. Regular exercise doesn’t only help combat diabetes; it also promotes a sense of well-being that helps you maintain the right attitude towards living a healthier life for good.
Hugh has been writing articles online for nearly 2 years now. Not only does this author specialize in diet, fitness and weight loss, you can also check out his latest website on revitol which offers the best skincare products.
Buying Individual Health Insurance Tips
We all need to have health insurance, and for anyone who is are self employed, or are unable to obtain insurance from your employer, you will have to look into purchasing individual health insurance. Insurance on your own is generally considerably more costly than when you get it from a company, so it pays to shop around and find the best coverage for you. Despite the fact that they are called individual policies, they usually can insure your spouse and kids as well. However, whenever you apply for a policy, there is no guarantee that says you will be approved for an individual policy. If you have certain health conditions, since the policy is medically underwritten, your insurer might deny your application, or add exclusions to your plan. There are a few states that make this practice illegal, and this means that health insurers will have to offer you a policy, whatever medicals problems there are.
People who are older or who are in bad health, will have to pay higher premiums than those who are younger and in excellent health.
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Knowing how health insurance is priced is without doubt one of the most confusing aspects of obtaining individual health insurance, so researching various companies and their rates might make a big difference in the amount you have to pay for health insurance.
When you are hunting for individual health insurance, don’t let all the confusion make you shy away from obtaining a policy. Even for people that are in great health, one accident could land you in economic peril without health insurance. Some questions to think about when buying individual health insurance are: Easy To Insure ME has the answers
Do I wish to keep my current doctor? If there is a doctor that you really like, this might determine whether an HMO or PPO plan is best for you and your family. In case you have an HMO, then you have to use their doctors, but a PPO plan will allow you to use the physician that you pick.
Just how much will it require me to pay out of pocket, and just how much will my premiums be every month? Is it smart for me to pay more for lower out of pocket costs? For a comprehensive health plan that doesn’t have many out of pocket charges, an HMO could possibly be what you are searching for. However, if you’re in your 20?s or 30?s, do not have children, and also have more money saved up, you can save money by only obtaining insurance for catastrophic illnesses. This will mean that you will have to pay out of pocket for virtually every tests or doctor appointments.
Just how much health care will my family need? Think of any services that could be needed by your loved ones on a regular basis. If someone has asthma in the family, will they need to go to an asthma specialist to regulate their illness?
When you can take some time to compare and think about the health insurance you and your family need, it could possibly make buying individual health insurance much less difficult, and provide the health coverage you and your family need for a price that you’ll be able to live with at the same time.
Easy To Insure ME has the answers health insurance quotes / Health insurance quote / individual health insurance
Weight Depot Announces Free Shipping on All Weight Loss Program and Diet Pill Orders Over $100
(PRWEB) January 23, 2012
Launched in 1998, Weight Depot was created as a weight loss guide to offer the safest and most effective weight loss products available at the best possible prices. Over the last 14 years, Weight Depot has developed a strong following and has become known as one of the top weight loss vendors online. Aware that consumers are becoming more money-conscious than ever, Weight Depot announces that free shipping will now be offered on all domestic orders over $ 100.
This free shipping offer is given on top of Weight Depot’s already greatly reduced prices. Most weight loss programs and diet pills available on Weight Depot are buy 2 get 1 free and buy 3 get 2 free a multi-bottle discount option that simply can’t be matched by competitors.
“I refuse to shop anyplace else for my weight loss needs. When it comes to diet supplements the quality, pricing and service of WeightDepot.com can’t be beat.”
Lillian, Weight Depot Customer
In addition to free domestic shipping, Weight Depot offers an industry-leading 100% money-back guarantee this means that customers can feel confident that they are ordering weight loss programs and diet pills that work.
In a smart marketing move, Weight Depot has arranged its products into multiple categories to help users determine the best option for them. Classifications include fat burners, weight loss programs, weight loss kits, appetite suppressants, vitamins, body cleansers and more. To view Weight Depot’s product selection or to read about the best ways to lose weight, please visit WeightDepot.com.
Editor’s Notes: Weight Depot was launched in 1998 to offer the top weight loss programs and supplements to help users lose weight fast. Each of the products sold by Weight Depot is all natural with no side-effects, chemicals or fillers. Weight Depot ships internationally and offers a 100% money-back guarantee on all orders.
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