HOW TO PROTECT AND HELP YOUR BRAIN
My training and teaching has taught me that the body is designed to heal and create itself anew during the course of a person’s lifetime, replacing old cells and rebuilding new ones as long as you live. This is a natural law designed for each and every one of you, and this is wonderful news, because how you care for your body can make a difference.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, your brain is located in the kidney system. If you support the brain through the kidney during the aging process, this will be very advantageous for you. I use Chinese Formulas to build and/or cleanse the urinary system. And in my line of work, I am driven to care for and support these precious organs.
The health of your body is determined by what you eat every day. We are walking gardens that require 240 nutrients daily. If a person is deficient in both calcium and magnesium, they may become susceptible to aluminum toxicity through their diet and environment. Sugar is eight times more addictive in the brain than narcotics; sugar and Alzheimer’s go hand in hand. Studies have shown that the increase in blood sugar, along with high-carbohydrate foods increases the risk of dementia. And this is also true with Alzheimer’s. Genetics loads the gun, lifestyle pulls the trigger, and YOU are the solution.
If you want to keep your brain healthy, you need to work on your gut. As your gut grows bigger your brain grows smaller. Scientists now know that the brain in your gut controls the brain in your head. Being aware of this powerful information will help stop degeneration. Digestion slows as you age, so supporting the gut with enzymes, nutrients, and the proper food for your body type can go a long way towards repairing and healing the brain. Since the brain is very fatty, it requires a diet full of good fat. When I encounter clients who are experiencing memory issues, I always suggest a daily intake of virgin organic coconut oil. I also have clients who have had their gallbladders removed. This can cause adverse side effects on the brain itself as it ages; because the gallbladder emulsifies fats, and without one, brain tissue can harden.
The brain is significantly influenced by hormones. Women have been shown to be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s more often than men. Research has revealed that estrogen and progesterone play a huge role in increasing neurons in the brain and may help with cognitive decline in postmenopausal women. When memory slips, I use natural herbal formulas to balance my hormones.
Dr. Perlmutter, Neurologist and Director of Perlmutter Health Center in Florida, says that forgetting things, names, or losing the ability to concentrate are signs that the brain needs attention. Changing daily habits will keep you from “pulling the trigger” on yourself. He suggests B vitamins, N-acetylcysteine, L-carnitine, alpha lipoic acid, CoQ10 and gingko biloba. I also highly recommend Berberine BP, a product that Nature’s Sunshine Products has created from his work. His case studies show that Berberine helped to restore brain function in his patients by working on the gut. He is an author and scholar on brain health.
In closing, just remember that the body follows the mind, and you have the power to change your body. It is amazing to see how this works. Try speaking loving thoughts to your brain, such as, “I am getting smarter and smarter in every way every day,” or “I can learn anything.” When you speak negatively about yourself and make derogatory remarks out loud, the brain cells hear what you say and know what you think. So, start using affectionate language and be grateful for your magnificent body. I live by this principle and know from experience that it can change your life.