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Kid's NeuroVite Supplements
By definition, vitamins and essential minerals are substances that are essential for normal health and functioning. Without them we develop deficiency symptoms that can be serious. Since they cannot be made by the body in sufficient quantities, they must be taken in from the environment – typically through food. Thanks to the dramatic amount of growth and development they are experiencing, children are especially in need of generous allowances of vitamins and minerals, which are critical for healthy growth, activity, learning, and behavior. Without question, the best possible source of vitamins and minerals for kids is high-quality, organic, locally-grown, unprocessed food. However, for most time-crunched families, eating home-cooked, well-balanced meals made from these ingredients 100% of the time just isn’t possible. Additionally, it is possible for genetic variation to raise an individual's requirements for a vitamin or mineral to way higher than they can obtain even from a perfect diet. Many Children Eat Less Than a Minimum Daily Allowance of Nutrients Alarming studies show that a high percentage of children in North America and other developed countries eat less than the minimum daily allowance of many essential nutrients. Additional studies indicate that modern foods don't meet children's needs for these nutrients. Adding an expertly designed multivitamin/mineral supplement to their diet helps to fill any nutritional gaps. Many clinical research studies have established that supplementing children's diets with multiple vitamins and essential minerals supports their brain and body development. So now that you know the importance of giving your child a multiple vitamin-mineral supplement, you are still faced with trying to figure out which one to buy: There are a lot of multiples out there – if you’ve ever walked down the vitamin aisle of your local health food store, pharmacy, or grocery store, you know how many choices there are. That’s why Dr. Amen and his BrainMD team developed Kids’ NeuroVite – to take the guess work out of what multiple vitamin-mineral supplement to use for your kids. This science-based formulation provides generous amounts of well-utilized nutrients for: making energy (magnesium, the B vitamins) supporting the brain's maturation (methylfolate, methylB12, choline) improving immunity (vitamin C, zinc, selenium) supporting vision (lutein, zeaxanthin) "Get kids started with the support they need. Kids’ NeuroVite was developed for my own children and grandchildren. It can help yours, too." – Daniel G. Amen, MD The BrainMD team scoured the clinical research to document which nutrients are best proven for kids over the long term. We didn't take any shortcuts when selecting the ingredients for our Kids’ NeuroVite. A broad spectrum of nutrients for healthy minds and active bodies was chosen while paying close attention to purity, optimal absorption, and utilization. You know what you WON’T find in Kids’ NeuroVite? Ingredients that you might find in other kids’ multivitamin/mineral supplements that: May be unsafe, such as cyanocobalamin (cyanide with vitamin B12) Are poorly absorbed, such as magnesium oxide, zinc oxide, other oxides Are poorly utilized once absorbed, such as folic acid, beta-carotene (poorly converted to vitamin A), and vitamin D2 Are simply unnecessary, such as titanium dioxide, artificial colorants, and sugar Your child will LOVE the taste of the orange-flavored penguin chewables which are free from sugar, dairy, gluten, wheat, eggs, and artificial colorings or flavorings. Give BrainMD’s Kids’ NeuroVite a try- risk free! We offer a 1-year, money back guarantee on your first bottle of any supplement. And you will have peace of mind knowing that you are providing your child with high-quality "nutritional health insurance," adds Dr. Amen.
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Brain Health in Veterans: How to Honor & Support Veterans
“On Veterans Day, we salute the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen who have rendered the highest service any American can offer, and we rededicate ourselves to fulfilling our commitment to all those who serve in our name.” President Obama, Veteran’s Day 2014 Veteran’s Day is one day, every year, when we are called by our nation to consider, remember, honor and thank those who have risked their lives and offered themselves for the preservation of our freedoms. Today, we remember what has been risked by these courageous men and women, and more importantly, what has been sacrificed. While these soldiers were fortunate enough to return home with their lives, we must remember that they have still made great sacrifices: time away from their families, physical injuries, and likely even their mental health. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, about 11-20 out of every 100 Veterans who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom have PTSD in a given year. PTSD, or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, is defined as a mental health problem that can develop after experiencing or witnessing a life-threatening or otherwise traumatic event. While PTSD is not limited to members of the military, its history in soldiers after returning from battle goes back centuries. It has not always been well-understood or even commonly accepted. Previously called nostalgia, soldier’s heart, railway spine, shell shock, battle fatigue, combat stress reaction, and gross stress reaction; these conditions all reflected similar symptoms. In 1980 PTSD was added to the third version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders or DSM-III. Symptoms of PTSD include: Intense recollections such as flashbacks and nightmares Inability to recall certain aspects of what happened Avoidance of people, places or things that are reminders of the event Distressing memories Inability to stop thinking about it Increased or excessive anxiety Always being on guard or “jumpy” Feeling emotionally numb Problems with sleep Anger and irritability Depressive symptoms Social isolation It’s important that we do not overlook, or underestimate, the seriousness of this condition. Attempting to return home to normal life, to their families and their previous responsibilities after service can be difficult enough, but suffering from any combination of the symptoms listed above adds more stress to the adjustment process. The length of suffering varies, but can also lead to other struggles, with relationships, jobs, and even addiction. We must do all that we can to help care for our Veterans, and all of those who suffer from PTSD. At BrainMD, our mission is to help support the brain health of everyone we can. Natural supplements can support the structures and the functions that makeup what we would argue to be the most important organ in our bodies. We also encourage everyone, especially those who think they may be suffering, or know someone who is suffering, from PTSD to seek help. Amen Clinics, a leader in brain health and brain SPECT imaging, helps people suffering from a wide array of conditions to improve their brains. One great way to help a Veteran in need is by helping them take care of their brain. This may include encouraging them to see someone who can help. By giving them support as a friend or loved one, this is a great way to show your respect, honor, and thank them for their sacrifice. BrainMD would like to thank all the men and women who have served, and continue to serve both near and far, in order to protect our freedoms and our safety. We are able to continue the work we do, because of you. Thank you.
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4 Brain Warrior Ways to Attack Aging
We all want to know how to stay healthy as we age. We ask ourselves, “Are there secrets to looking and feeling younger, longer? Are there small, daily habits I can easily start to protect my mind and body as I age?” It’s clear that not everyone—or every brain—ages the same way. But by putting neuroscience into practice in our daily lives, there are a number of things we can all do to help preserve our mental abilities; prevent cognitive impairment, memory problems, and illness; and improve our brain health for a higher quality of life as we grow older. The key to staying healthy is to keep our bodies, including our brains, in top form. But as opposed to strategies that depend on deprivation, “Brain Warriors,” as we call them, focus on the abundance of amazing habits. Now we all know exercise, diet, and quality sleep are important, but here are 4 Brain Warrior ways to attack illness and aging that you probably haven’t thought of. 1. Find Your Tribe Who you spend time with matters. Their daily habits are contagious. Good friends are good for your health. And, as you guessed, unhealthy friends and/or minimal contact with friends is bad for your health. So it’s important to have friends and be selective with them because they can affect your brain, mood, and physical health. Interacting with others helps people feel connected. We’re social animals, who by nature have always needed others for survival. It's in our genes. Studies have found that healthy friends can actually help lower your risk of cognitive decline, may protect against dementia by providing emotional and mental stimulation, and can make a key difference in life longevity. Tip: Try joining new social circles— perhaps a community group, book club, chess club, faith-based group, or a volunteer meet-up. 2. Eat More Fat! What you put in your mouth affects your mind. Good fats are essential to your health. And it’s important to start eating right as early as possible— to restore energy, optimize brain and hormone functioning, reduce the risk of disease, and help maintain a healthy weight. Brain Warrior’s tap into the power of food with both an abundance of illness-fighting nutrients from whole, living plant foods and high-quality protein (plant or animal), with an essential mixture of healthy fat. It’s the good fat that helps keep the brain sharp, fuels muscles, and regulates vital organs to function properly. Tip: Try eating a diet that’s 70% plant-based foods, 30% high-quality protein, and focus on eating healthy fat like avocados, cashews, coconut oil and olive oil mixed in. 3. Manage Your Stress These days, when stress factors seem unrelenting (work stress, financial stress, traffic, raising kids, and so on), stress may seem like a normal part of life. But chronic stress can wreak havoc on your mind and body causing actual physical wear and tear. Research has shown that stress causes physical changes in the body that can take a heavy toll on our physical and emotional health and actually accelerate aging. Stress causes a variety of health issues, including anxiety, depression, obsessive anger and hostility, insomnia, high blood pressure, and heart attacks. That’s because stress sends surges of adrenaline and cortisol to the brain and body, which cause blood pressure to rise and the heart to beat faster. Tip: Try meditation, it’s one of the most effective ways to neutralize stress. Remember, the most important thing is to find something you enjoy that helps you relax, like a hobby, reading a book or doing yoga. 4. Do Mental Aerobics Novelty, variety, and new experiences will help keep your mind sharp and healthy. New experiences, even small, simple changes, stimulate more neural connections in your brain. This causes nerve cells to produce nutrients that strengthen cells and makes them more resistant to the effects of aging. Studies show that brain exercises can help prevent cognitive decline. The best learning activities for your brain are mentally engaging, interactive, enjoyable, and new for you. Make lifelong learning a priority in your life. At BrainMD, we’re dedicated to providing the highest purity nutrients to support your brain health and overall well-being. For more information about our full list of supplements, please visit us at BrainMD.
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8 Ways to Have a Positive Effect on Future Generations
Your life is not just about you, it is about generations of you, literally. A new field of genetics, called epigenetics, has exploded onto the scientific scene in the last 20 years. Epigenetic means "above or on top of the gene." It refers to the recent discovery that your habits, emotions, and environment can turn on or off certain genes, making illness more or less likely in you, as well as in your children, grandchildren, and even great-grandchildren. Your habits, feelings, and environment impact your biology so deeply it causes changes in the genes that are transmitted to the next several generations. It is these epigenetic "marks" or “etches” that tell your genes to switch on or off or to express them more loudly or softly. It is through epigenetics that immediate environmental factors like diet, stress, toxins, and prenatal nutrition can affect the activity of the genes that are passed to your offspring and beyond. Once you know this, it is your responsibility to act on it! For you to have a positive effect on others you need to do everything you can to make sure that your own brain is healthy and working in top condition. Here are 8 steps to take NOW: Keep your brain and the brains of those you love safe by avoiding toxic foods, chemicals, and illicit drugs, and staying away from dangerous activities that could traumatize your brain or theirs. Stabilize your weight at a healthy level, and gently encourage others to do the same. Get exercise that keeps your blood flowing – especially to your brain, and preferably do it in a group. Get sufficient sleep every night and resolve problems like sleep apnea. Keep your brain flexible and active by exercising it and learning new information. Resolve issues like ADHD, depression, anxiety, and stress by getting appropriate help. Surround yourself with a network of supportive people who will encourage your efforts and help you stay on your healthy program. Take action to be the change you want to see with fun, creative ways of engaging those around you. For example: Encourage family and friends to join you for exercise with group walks, hikes, and bike rides Teach your children and friends brain healthy recipes you learn Start family game night or invite friends to trivia or other memory games Make doctor appointments for your family to address any health issues that may be harming brain function if left untreated These things won’t happen on their own and no one will do them for you. You must be conscientious for your own health. Not only is this for your own good, but for the good of everyone you influence. And there’s only one time when you can make the necessary changes to boost the power of your brain and improve your health, and that time is right now. Putting it off until tomorrow usually means putting it off indefinitely. How long have you been intending to start living differently? Hasn’t it been long enough? In keeping with the BrainMD core value of being committed to helping you transform your life for the better by focusing on improving the health of your brain, this information is being shared as a sneak peek into the new book, The Brain Warrior's Way, by New York Times bestselling authors Daniel & Tana Amen. We are even offering some amazing free gifts to celebrate the pre-order of the book. See all the details here.
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Lack of Real Breaks Can Take a Serious Toll on Health
Summer is officially here; the season typically associated with recreation, relaxation, and restoration. However, if you are like most Americans, you will miss out on the year’s best opportunity to revitalize the health of your brain. In fact, according to a survey published on the career website Glassdoor, the average American employee only takes half of their earned vacation or paid time off each year – with 40% of employees reported using less than one-quarter of their earned vacation. Furthermore, of those that take a vacation, 61% admitted working while on their vacation! This has earned the United States the nickname of “no-vacation nation”. This is a huge mistake in terms of health and happiness. A growing body of research demonstrates what our minds and bodies already know – staying constantly on-the-go without taking REAL breaks can take a serious toll on physical and mental health. For example, when the receptors in our brain become overloaded for extended periods of time by excessive amounts of cortisol, your body’s primary stress hormone, cell death happens in your brain. The primary area of the brain affected by the cell death is the hippocampus, which plays a very important role in things like memory and anxiety. Damage to the hippocampus can decrease memory and increase anxiety. Research has also shown that those who DO take breaks experience a multitude of mental and physical benefits, including: Living longer Sleeping better Decreased risk of heart disease Enhanced performance More creativity Improved mood Increased motivation and productivity So reducing stress and giving your brain a break is critical to optimizing your brain's health and performance. This does not have to involve an expensive, long-lasting, elaborate vacation. Here are some quick and proven techniques to reduce stress and give your brain a break. 1. Consistent Exercise. One of the most important things that you can do for the health of your brain, exercise will help you manage stress by immediately lowering stress hormones and helping you become more resistant to stress over time. Raising your heart rate through exercise also makes you better handle stress because it raises beta-endorphins, the brain’s own natural morphine! 2. Sufficient Sleep. Skimping on sleep can affect your health in more ways than you might imagine. When you don’t get enough sleep, you have overall decreased blood flow to your brain, which disrupts thinking, memory, and concentration. 3. Spend More Time. With people, not tasks. Never underestimate the power of being around the right people! The health habits of the people you spend time with have a dramatic impact on your own health and habits. 4. Meditate. This is a very effective way to soothe your mind and help you create a state of deep relaxation. Interestingly enough, meditation actually stimulates the brain; increasing blood flow to the areas responsible for attention and forethought, while calming down the areas that perceive pain. 5. Disconnect. From technology, not people! Multiple research studies have indicated that too much time online can lead to stress, sleeping disorders, anxiety and depression. 6. Supplement. If your brain is deficient in key nutrients, it becomes more difficult to deal with stress. Clinical studies demonstrate that nutraceuticals can be used to relax your body and mind and help alleviate the stress you feel on a day-to-day basis. 7. Try Yoga. Many people think that yoga is just stretching. While stretching is certainly involved, yoga decreases stress. Additionally, recent research found that 20 minutes of yoga stimulates brain function more than walking or jogging on the treadmill for the same amount of time.
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Simple & Fun Ways to Help Kids Develop Healthy Habits
Every child in this country should be physically active, well-nourished, and healthy. Unfortunately, that is not the case. In fact, childhood obesity has increased from 4% in 1982 to 32% in 2015, an 800% increase. Obesity increases inflammation, a low level fire in the body that destroys our organs, and is a risk factor for over 30 medical illnesses. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, obese youth are more likely to have: risk factors for cardiovascular disease, such as high cholesterol or high blood pressure prediabetes, a condition in which blood glucose levels indicate a high risk for development of diabetes bone and joint problems sleep apnea social and psychological problems such as stigmatization and poor self-esteem Additionally, research has indicated that obesity is associated with poorer academic performance beginning as early as kindergarten. Evidence shows that students who eat right and are physically active learn lifelong habits and are better equipped to succeed academically. In celebration of Every Kid Healthy™ Week, here are simple and FUN ways to help kids develop healthy habits: Play with food – Even the pickiest of eaters are often more willing to try new foods when they are disguised as trains, boats, cars, bees, butterflies, or cows. To make a penguin, dip ½ of a banana in a melted Brain In Love dark chocolate bar, add raw almonds to make a beak and feet, and finish with a little shredded coconut for snow and eyes. Plant a family garden – Kids are far more likely to try new foods if they have been involved in choosing what to plant, mulching, watering, weeding, and eventually harvesting. Caring for a garden also teaches them about responsibility and physically working a garden is a great form of exercise! If you are short on space, try a community garden or plant some tomatoes or spinach in a container. Get the whole family moving – Exercise is one of the most critical ways of supporting healthy development. Make time for everyone to get moving together. Go swimming, take walks, ride bikes (make sure everyone wears appropriate helmets), or try geocaching together. The exercise and time together will benefit the overall health of everyone in the family. Tell a story – Reading aloud to your children is one of the most effective ways of building the “language” neural connections in their growing brains. Additionally, when you read to your child, he learns to use logic, to understand cause and effect, and how to think in abstract terms. He learns the consequences of actions, and the basics of what is right and wrong. For those that are able, have your child read aloud to you. Research additionally indicates that reading together is one of the most powerful ways to develop bonds with your child. “Fatten” their brains – With omega-3 fatty acids, that is! The human brain goes through tremendous growth in childhood and it is critical that kids consume adequate amounts of specific types of essential omega-3 fatty acids, such as DHA and EPA, in order to support their brain’s rapid development. BrainMD Health offers Coromega’s unique omega-3 supplement – a full daily dose in delicious lemon-lime or orange flavored creamy, pudding-like packets with no fishy aftertaste. Who knew that taking fish oil could be this much fun? Eat the rainbow – This does NOT mean Skittles or jelly beans. It means teaching your children to choose healthy foods in a variety of different colors, such as blueberries, spinach, pomegranates, yellow squash, and red bell peppers, at every meal. Eating foods of different colors isn’t just fun—it has health benefits too. Help your kids understand the nutritional value of including a rainbow of colorful fruits and vegetable in their regular diet. Make a game of challenging them to eat a meal that consists of every color of the rainbow. Look at Labels (Food, Not Clothes) – Although your kids (especially tweens and teens) may care most about the label on their clothes, it is important to teach them to pay more attention to food nutrition labels. Show kids how to read the labels that actually affect their health. Focus on a few key parts of the label (such as the amount of trans fats, and grams of sugar or sodium) to avoid overwhelming them. Be curious, not furious – Model for your children how to be resilient. It’s easy for kids to get discouraged when things don’t go their way. Show them the importance of staying positive and learning from their mistakes. Help your kids develop healthy self-esteem and a positive mindset by teaching them they are unique, lovable, and capable no matter what challenges they experience. Make it a practice to take turns at dinner talking about things each person is grateful for. Play every day – Show your child that exercise can be fun rather than a chore! Have a hula hoop contest, play Dance Dance Revolution together, build an obstacle course, play freeze tag or hide-and-seek, throw a Frisbee, toss a ball, or jump on a trampoline. Aim for 30-60 minutes of movement each day, but it does not have to happen all at once. Several small bursts of active play can add up to a healthy kid!
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7 of the Best Ways to Handle Holiday Stress
For many of us, the holiday season represents a much anticipated joyous time of the year; a time of happiness and good cheer. But for others, it’s a period of chaos, stress, and overwhelming expectations that has become synonymous with exhaustion, overeating, accruing debt, and enduring one's relatives. Just hearing the word "holiday" can create anxiety and stress for some people. We have little time to get a lot done, and it seems as if the year has just flown by. In fact, a survey by Consumer Reports found that 90 percent of Americans find at least one thing stressful about the holiday season. Stress and depression can ruin your holidays and hurt your health. If you are already experiencing stress in other areas of your life, you may be especially vulnerable to increased feelings of anxiety and depression during the holidays. However, you don't have to let this time of year become something you dread. Instead, take steps to prevent the stress and depression that can descend during the holidays. Here Are Some Tips to Help You Cope with the Holidays! Take Time for Yourself You may feel pressure to be everything to everyone, but there is only so much that one person can accomplish! Increase your energy and stamina by giving yourself a “time out.” All of us need time to recharge our batteries and self-care is often the best thing you can do. Plus, others will benefit when your stress is reduced and your mood is improved. Get a massage, read a new book, or take time out to listen to your favorite music. Maintain Healthy Routines Don’t stop doing whatever it is you normally do throughout the year to keep yourself healthy. Eat nutritious foods, drink enough water, get enough sleep and keep exercising! Taking care of your health will help you deal with stressful situations during the holidays. Use a Natural Calming Supplement BrainMD Health’s own Everyday Stress Relief and GABA Calming Support are two natural supplement formulas that contain ingredients shown in clinical studies to help relax your body and mind so you can stay calm and healthy during stressful times. Learn To Say No Experts say that the holidays can make people feel out of control—at the mercy of tradition or expectations. But you DO have a say. The key is to take some control over the holidays; instead of letting them control you. Say “no” to events and activities that aren't important to you. Be conscious about what you do, how you spend your time and energy. Don’t unthinkingly do things the same way just because that’s how you’ve always done them. If what you’re doing isn’t making you happy and is causing holiday stress, it’s time to do something different. Know Your Spending Limit Financial worries are one of the biggest causes of stress during the holiday season. Make a realistic budget to determine how much you can spend without jeopardizing your financial health. Then stick to it! Creating debt will only add to the stress you are already feeling. Let Others Help You don’t have to do everything yourself – you can share your “to do” list with others. Ask for help! Enjoy spending time with friends and family while you share tasks like preparing the holiday meal, shopping, cleaning and decorating. You don’t have to be the hero of the holiday season. Give To Those in Need The holidays are usually a time when everyone is focused on their families and friends. However, it's also a great time to focus on giving to others in need. Research shows that volunteering not only alleviates stress but also increases health and happiness. Shovel an elderly neighbor’s driveway, work a few shifts at the local food bank, or donate a few gifts to a charity for children and families. While you may not be able to completely avoid stressful situations during the holidays, you can plan to respond to them in a healthy way.
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Getting Your Healthy Brain Back
Like most people, you may not wonder why almost all psychiatrists never look at the organ they treat. But one man has. He’s Daniel G. Amen MD, clinical neuroscientist, board certified psychiatrist, brain imaging expert, nine-time New York Times best-selling author and founder of the Amen Clinics. And his curiosity makes perfect sense if you think about it. Cardiologists look, neurologists look, and orthopedic doctors look. In fact, virtually every other medical specialist looks at an image of the area they are treating. Yet, amazingly, psychiatrists look for symptom clusters and then they, well…guess. That’s right…guess. Dr. Amen has been trying to change that approach for over 25 years with his forward-thinking and innovative practice using SPECT imaging--Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography--to treat patients at the Amen Clinics. SPECT is a nuclear medicine study that looks at blood flow and activity, and how the brain works. It reveals three things about the brain--good activity, too little or too much—and plays an important role in the diagnosis and overall treatment process Dr. Amen uses at his clinics. Dr. Amen was among the first physicians to begin using SPECT in a clinical setting to generate critically important information about a patient’s brain activity. He and his colleagues went on to build the world's largest database of brain scans related to behavior—nearly 100,000 scans on patients from 111 countries around the world. The positive results and outcomes keep pouring in and clearly show that illnesses such as ADD, depression, anxiety and addiction can be helped significantly with a brain-health program that starts by “looking.” According to Dr. Amen, looking at the brain is important because many of these issues are not singular or simple disorders in the brain. There are multiple types. For example, two patients diagnosed with major depression can present brain scans that look very different. One might have low brain activity and the other could show elevated activity. Although the diagnoses are the same, these brains need different treatment protocols. In this brief but power-packed TEDx talk, Dr. Amen shares his passion for psychiatry and how SPECT imaging combined with a rigorous brain-health program can reverse brain damage and positively impact generations to come in a family. These results have shown that you are not stuck with the brain you have – brain health can be improved. A former army x-ray technician, Dr. Amen first learned about SPECT imaging at a medical lecture in 1991. It was then that Dr. Amen’s love of medical imaging and psychiatry came together and ignited a passion that changed his life—and the lives of thousands of others. But his innovative approach has had its critics. For years researchers have been complaining that a clinical psychiatrist like Dr. Amen should not be doing scans. They argue that brain imagery should be used exclusively by researchers in academia. Dr. Amen disagrees, of course. Here’s how he puts it: “Without imaging, psychiatrists then and, even today, make diagnoses like they did for Abraham Lincoln in 1840--by talking to people and looking for symptom clusters.” With the diagnostic information revealed in a SPECT scan, Dr. Amen and his colleagues can tailor treatment to individual brains, not clusters of symptoms. Traumatic Brain Injury and Psychiatric Illness One of the most significant findings of the Amen Clinics imaging work is that mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major cause of psychiatric illness. Brain injuries often go undetected by psychiatrists who mostly focus on the problems presented by the patient—things like: temper, anxiety, depression and insomnia. Because psychiatrists never look at the brain, they never know. TBI has far-reaching implications when it comes to mental health and social welfare concerns. It’s not a shock that researchers have found that undiagnosed brain injuries are a major cause of homelessness, drug and alcohol abuse, depression, panic attacks, ADHD and suicide. That connection has prompted judges and defense attorneys to seek help from Dr. Amen to understand criminal behavior. To date, the Amen Clinics have scanned over 500 convicted felons, including 90 murderers. The work produced two important findings: 1) People who do bad things often have trouble brains; and 2) Many of these brains could be rehabilitated! Imagine if our society evaluated and treated troubled brains rather than simply warehousing them in toxic, stressful environments? When Dr. Amen and his colleagues performed the first and largest study on active and retired NFL players, the results showed high levels of brain damage. This came at a time when the NFL was still maintaining that they didn't know if playing football causes long-term brain damage. Dr. Amen put the players on his brain-smart program and demonstrated that 80 percent of them could improve in the areas of a blood flow, memory, and mood. That study provided even more compelling evidence that you are not stuck with the brain you have and you can make it better on a brain-healthy program like the one used at the Amen Clinics. Dr. Amen’s favorite story that clearly demonstrates the power of “looking” at the brain comes from a 9-year-old boy named Andrew who attacked a little girl on a baseball field for no apparent reason. At the time, Andrew was drawing pictures of himself hanging from a tree and shooting other children. He was Columbine and Sandy Hook waiting to happen. Most psychiatrists would have medicated Andrew as they did Eric Harris and the other mass shooters before they committed their horrific crimes that day. But SPECT imaging taught Dr. Amen that he should look at Andrew’s brain and not simply guess at a treatment plan. It’s a good thing he did. Andrew’s SPECT scan showed a cyst the size of a golf ball lodged in his brain’s temporal lobe. A medication or therapy would never have helped Andrew. When the cyst was removed, his behavior completely went back to normal and he became the sweet, loving boy hiding under the negative behavior. Andrew happens to be Dr. Amen’s nephew. Now, more than 18 years later, he owns his own home, is employed, and lives a full, brain-healthy life. And it’s all because someone bothered to look at his brain. He has been a better son and will be a better husband, father and grandfather down the road. That poignant story is one of the chief reasons Dr. Amen continues to innovate and change the practice of psychiatry. “When you have the privilege changing someone's brain, you not only change his or her life, you have the opportunity to change generations to come.” - Daniel G. Amen, MD
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Brain Healthy Foods
We all want to feed our children healthy, well-balanced meals loaded with healthy protein, grains, fruits and vegetables. But there are…uh…“things” that sometimes get in the way—like having a picky eater. Getting any nutrition at all into a picky eater is an achievement in itself! And unfortunately, healthy food is not very fashionable among most youngsters. They like the junk that they see their friends having at school. Even when a parent makes an awesomely healthy lunch, it often boomerangs home barely touched. Then there’s that “thing” called modern living. With more working parents—and single working moms and dads than ever before, who has the time and energy to shop, prepare meals and lunches—and clean up afterwards day in and day out? It’s no wonder that parents rely on takeout and school cafeteria lunches to feed their children at least some of the time. Last, there’s the very real issue of soil depletion yielding fruits and vegetables with fewer and fewer nutrients and the advent of processed foods…oh, but let’s not go there! As much as we’d like these “things” not to factor into nutritional deficiencies, they undoubtedly do. Studies show that a high percentage of children in North America and other developed countries eat less than the minimum daily allowance of many essential nutrients. Chances are pretty high that our children’s brains are not getting all the nutrients they need to function optimally. Time for a Supplementation Intervention Don’t worry or waste energy feeling guilty! If you want to gain some peace of mind, simply take out some “nutritional” insurance with a quality children’s supplement. It will of course need to taste good and be free of artificial colors, sweeteners or additives. But most important of all, make brain health a priority and look for adequate amounts of nutrients for the brain. While conventional brands may give you a smattering of vitamins and minerals, they typically overlook providing the amounts needed for optimal brain health support. In choosing a multi, be sure you get these vitamins at 100 % recommended daily allowance or more: B Vitamins Too many children’s supplements do not provide adequate amounts of the B vitamins! B vitamins are important to the nervous system, and vitamin B6 and B12 play a role in the synthesis of neurotransmitters. Studies show that adolescents who have a borderline level of vitamin B12 can develop signs of cognitive changes. And a recent study on children showed a statistically significant association with cobalamin (vitamin B12) and folate supplementation and cognitive performance. Remember, B vitamins for the brain! Vitamin D Most of us know that vitamin D helps a child’s body absorb minerals like calcium and build strong teeth and bones. Yet, in the last 20 years, a resurgence in vitamin D deficiency and nutritional rickets has been reported throughout the world, including the United States! Vitamin D also acts as a hormone, supporting immune system health, insulin production, and regulation of cell growth. And recent research suggests a correlation with mental health issues and vitamin D deficiency. A recent study found that mentally ill children have twice the rate of vitamin D insufficiency as mentally healthy children. Another study showed that cystic fibrosis patients with depressive symptoms also had low levels of vitamin D. Support your child’s mental well-being with plenty of vitamin D. Vitamins C and E When fresh fruit and vegetable consumption is less than optimal, ensure your child gets ample amounts of these two antioxidants, which are both vital to brain health. Vitamins C and E are both important to immune health and protect against the brain’s oxidative stress. Your child’s brain also needs ample amounts of healthy fat in the form of omega-3s. Omega-3s Good things happen when kids begin to get enough of omega-3 essential fatty acids (EFAs). EFAs from fish oil play an important role in brain cell membrane structure, which allows for better intercellular communication. Be sure to select a quality supplement that is ultra-pure and provides at least 100 mg of the omega-3s EPA and DHA and preferably 500 mg or more at a 60/40 ratio. Conventional brands typically skimp on the amounts of EPA and DHA or give the wrong proportions. Remember that when “things” get in the way of your child’s nutrition, you can always take out some nutritional insurance. Here’s to Children’s Health Week and your brain healthy child! References Bourne, JM. Effects of nutrients (in food) on the structure and function of the nervous system: update on dietary requirements for brain. Part 1: micronutrients. J Nutr Health Aging. 2006 Sep-Oct;10(5):377-85. Strand, TA, et al. Cobalamin and folate status predicts mental development scores in North Indian children 12-18 mo of age. Am J Clin Nutr. 2013 Feb;97(2):310-7. Walker, VP, et al. The vitamin D connection to pediatric infections and immune function. Pediatr Res. 2009 May;65(5 Pt 2):106R-113R. Zhang, M, et al. Do children with mental disorders have higher prevalence of hypovitaminosis D?F1000Res. 2013 Jul 17;2:159. Smith, BA, et al. Vitamin D and depressive symptoms in children with cystic fibrosis. Psychosomatics. 2014 Jan-Feb;55(1):76-81. Widenhorn-Muller, K, et al. Effect of supplementation with long-chain ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on behavior and cognition in children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): a randomized placebo-controlled intervention trial. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids. 2014 Jul-Aug;91(1-2):49-60. Heilskov, R, et al. Diet in the treatment of ADHD in children-A systematic review of the literature. Nord J Psychiatry. 2014 Jun 16:1-18. Montgomery, P, et al. Low blood long chain omega-3 fatty acids in UK children are associated with poor cognitive performance and behavior: a cross-sectional analysis from the DOLAB study. PLoS One. 2013 Jun 24;8(6):e66697.
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