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7 Ingredients for Brain Health: When More is More
Your Brain is Elegant and Complicated Your brain is one of the most complicated machines in the world. It works through many different mechanisms, and it's because of this diversity that our Brain & Memory Power Boost supplement has been so effective at improving cognitive function for so many people. Our Brain & Memory Power Boost utilizes seven intensively researched, key ingredients to improve these many different mechanisms in order to get the best brain-boosting results. Ingredients for Brain Support Two of these ingredients, Vinpocetine and Ginkgo Biloba Extract, work together to support healthy blood flow to the brain, which is vital considering your brain requires 20 percent of your body’s total oxygen and blood sugar resources. In addition, the issues associated with cognitive decline during aging often stem from a lack of proper blood flow. We always say, "Some of the prettiest brain scans we have seen at Amen Clinics come from people who take Ginkgo." Another ingredient, PhosphatidylSerine (or PS for short) works at the synapse, or the connections between brain cells. PS works with your brain cells to help them communicate quickly and efficiently for longer periods, as opposed to slowing down. To ensure your brain has enough energy to function throughout the day at high levels, we incorporated both Acetyl-L-Carnitine (ALC) a key nutrient for creating energy in our nerve cells, and Alpha-Lipoic Acid, which influences the enzymes that help produce more energy in the body. And as if all this weren’t enough, we added N-AcetylCysteine (NAC), the brain’s most useful antioxidant that works to help your nerve cells stay balanced, keeping conditions optimal. In addition to NAC, we included Huperzine A, an extract from Huperzia serrata (club moss), a traditional Chinese medicinal herb, that supports your acetylcholine system, a key brain neurotransmitter. A Multiple-Mechanism Approach to Memory Loss The ingredients in Brain & Memory Power Boost work to support multiple mechanisms in your brain. This multiple-mechanism approach is how we think about formulating supplements. As with health in general, no single approach will help you reach your goals but rather a combination of techniques and habits to contribute to better health. That’s why we always recommend a healthy diet, exercise, plenty of sleep, and good relationship habits to accompany your supplement regimen.
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7 Ways to Boost Your Energy And Mental Focus
If you reach mindlessly for a cup of coffee or a sugar fix to get you through the day when energy or attention flags, consider eating something healthy instead, or trying a supplement that can naturally stoke your stamina, and improve your energy and focus. Unfortunately, the instant jolt that comes from a blood sugar spike is typically followed by an insulin surge -- leading to a quick drop in blood sugar — which leaves you feeling foggy and sluggish. Next time you're dragging, put down the coffee or energy drink, step away from the donuts, and pick up one of these foods or supplements as an alternative way to get a healthy, natural energy boost. 1. Almonds and Cashews These nuts are an amazing source of healthy fats, fiber and protein that help balance blood sugar levels. They are also packed with magnesium, a mineral that plays a key role in converting food into energy. Being low on magnesium can drain your energy. Also try organic nut butters that provide a great-tasting energy boost. Use all-natural nut butters that contain nothing but nuts so you can avoid added sugars. 2. Salmon and Other Fatty Fish It isn't called a "brain food" for nothing! Salmon is high in Omega-3 fatty acids which are nutrients that have been found to improve memory and boost energy. Additionally, this delicious fish is also loaded with protein, niacin, riboflavin and vitamin B6, which are all instrumental in helping your body convert the food you eat into energy. 3. Kale and Darker Leafy Greens Kale is a superfood that provides you with the essential minerals of copper, potassium, iron and phosphorus. And like lean meats, kale contains the amino acid tyrosine, which helps give you a mental lift, as well as fiber to fill you up and help keep your blood sugar stable so you can avoid energy crashes. Like protein, fiber helps keep you full, as well as regulate your digestion and manage blood sugar. Spinach is loaded with iron – nearly twice as much as other leafy greens – which is essential in keeping your energy up. Eat a spinach salad for lunch (bonus for adding salmon or another lean protein) and you won't experience that p.m. energy slump. 4. Hummus and Tasty Legumes This Mediterranean dip has only a few simple ingredients (typically puréed garbanzo beans, sesame-based tahini, olive oil, and lemon juice) that all contribute nutrients for energy. The fiber and protein provided help stabilize blood sugar, take the edge off hunger, and boost energy. 5. Eggs as the Perfect Protein One of the few foods considered to be a "complete protein," eggs contain all nine essential amino acids that the body can't produce on its own. Additionally, eggs are full of the vitamins needed for the body to produce energy such as thiamin, riboflavin, folate, and B12, and B6. 6. Pumpkin Seeds and Other Seeds A handful of these tasty seeds contain more protein per ounce than almonds as well as more iron and magnesium than most nuts. Protein helps supply energy, and it keeps you fuller for longer because it's satiating, and helps manage your blood sugar. Protein-rich foods like seeds, eggs and nuts take slightly longer for you to digest, so you won’t be hungry or lethargic in 20 minutes. 7. Try a Natural Supplement We didn't mean to make you hungry, but getting adequate proteins to maintain focus and energy often requires lots of calories, which is why you might reach for a soda or cup of coffee for a fix. Amen Clinic's Focus and Energy naturally supports your body’s energy level with caffeine-free green tea, choline, and ginseng. These specially selected nutrients work through multiple mechanisms to support enhanced mental focus. Plus, Focus and Energy is safe, natural and non-habit-forming.
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Can You Be Born With a Bad Memory?
Is Bad Memory Due to Genetics? Can it be Fixed? No one quite knows how memory works, and although researchers are getting closer to figuring it out, there is conclusive evidence that you can be born with a poor memory – but you can also fix it. Some evidence in adults shows that hormonal birth control, for one thing, can negatively affect memory retention. The good news is that the effects are not permanent and only affect temporarily while they are taking hormones. How Can You Be Born with a Poor Memory? A recent research study published in the journal of Neurology shows a strong correlation between birth weight and the number of weeks in gestation, and memory and attention problems as an adult. After studying adults who were born prematurely, studies indicate that those with the lower birth weight still score lower on their attention and visual memory tests when compared with those born full term. Although the study didn’t conclusively pinpoint what exactly happens in the womb during those crucial weeks, research indicates the longer a baby is in the womb, the better for his or her brain. Some studies show that this could be because of the development and maturity of the hippocampus, part of the brain that is essential for developing contextual memories. When the structure of the brain itself was studied, Amen Clinic’s SPECT brain imaging showed that the maturity of the hippocampus at birth and memory function as an adult were associated. Those born prematurely appear to have significantly smaller hippocampus’ than full-term babies, and this may explain why specialists find weaker memories in preemies later in life. How Can You Improve Your Memory Now? Poor memory can also be caused by a variety of things, not just hormones or being born prematurely. The most common sources of poor memory tend to be from very preventable conditions: Stress Lack of sleep Traumatic brain injuries By developing routines that can help to alleviate these issues, and using natural supplements to increase blood flow and circulation, your memory can improve over time. BrainMD Health’s Brain and Memory Power Boost was developed for exactly those reasons. With seven powerful brain boosters – including Acetyl-L-Carnitine, Ginkgo Biloba Extract, and Vinpocetine – Ginkgo Biloba and Vinpocetine work synergistically to increase blood flow to the brain, promoting increased circulation. Huperzine A, a medicinal herb, improves the function of acetylcholine, a brain neurotransmitter that plays a central role in memory. The Amen Clinics are committed to promoting, optimizing, and supporting brain health naturally. Your memory is what allows you to treasure and revisit the most special moments in your life. Make sure you fortify your brain with the nutrients and supplements that can strengthen and restore it.
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Tips to Helping You Focus & Set Realistic Goals
Staying on track with consistent fitness can be tough, but it doesn’t have to be. To optimize your chances of reaching your New Year’s goals, you’ve got to actively set yourself up for mind-body success. Here are expert tips for helping you stay focused and set realistic resolutions that inspire you to get a stronger body and an optimized brain all year long: 6 of the Best Ways to Stay Focused and Fit Join a Gym or a Training Studio Just getting there is the hard part. Always try negotiating waiving the sign-up initiation fees especially if you are joining a new or smaller exercise studio that’s privately owned. (There’s more leeway for navigating monthly fees.) Snare yourself a better deal before the big rush on January 1, advises fitness expert Tana Amen, BSN, RN. And finally, sign up with a fitness buddy who will hold you accountable to make it to your workouts, she says. Start a Healthy Supplement Regimen If one or more of your healthy resolutions was to ramp up your mental focus and jumpstart energy then you’ve come to the right place. A deficiency in vitamin D or serotonin, for example, may cause excessive fatigue. Take a good multi-vitamin with vitamin D, B6 and magnesium, for starters, says Dr. Daniel G. Amen, MD. Then add on supplements for other areas of improvement, like mood, focus, or memory. BrainMD even offers the opportunity to try three of our most popular products for free with our 7 day Free Trials. Gravity Classes… Anyone? Find a new activity you love and make that a weekend warrior habit you can look forward to. Anything from ice skating to dance lessons to gravity training can make that dreaded workout a fun activity you look forward to. Gravity training compiles strength, endurance and cardio workouts with Pilates and yoga inspired movements and mindfulness. We think you’ll love how much fun it is as well as the results you’ll see! Both group classes and private lessons are offered depending on your preferences. Give the Gift of Green Tea Dr. Amen’s Focus & Energy supports both focus and healthy energy levels. It is formulated with green tea and choline to help enhance endurance, digestion and stamina. Green tea is made from unfermented leaves and reportedly contains the highest concentration of powerful antioxidants called polyphenols. (Research also indicates that some supplements, made with the amino acids found in green tea, may help anxious people focus more clearly.) Commit to be Fit, One Session at a Time Learn the basics and take notes during one affordable session. Asking for help from a professional not only ensures that you will have the accountability you need to meet your weight loss and health goals, but also adds a level of safety for your future solo sessions, says fitness expert Tana, author of the just-launched Brain Warrior’s Way Cookbook. Personalize Your Fitness Rewards Get inspired to ramp up your workout motivation (and commit!) by attending a group bike class, hikes or Pilates sessions 2-3 times a week for one month, writing down the prize you’ll choose and enjoy once you meet your get-sweaty goals. Then, go treat yourself to a sports massage or a movie night. (You deserve it.) Set yourself up for success: take these recommendations and write down how you can use them. Writing them down means you make then an intention, and will help form them in your mind so you can more easily implement them into a habit. Find out what supplements are right for you and your goals by shopping at BrainMD. And remember that you don’t need to be perfect, just better!
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Become A Brain Warrior and Master Your Brain Health
Every day, we are fighting a war for our health. We are constantly being bombarded by persuasive advertisements, tempted by dangerous habits, and surrounded by “sheep” making it too easy to follow the herd into an unhealthy lifestyle. That is why we have to be Brain Warriors for ourselves, and the ones we love. Our very lives depend on it. What Exactly is a Brain Warrior? A Brain Warrior is someone who has M.A.S.T.E.R.Y over the health of their brain, their attitude and their body because they know what’s really at stake. Everything. M.A.S.T.E.R.Y starts with an M for Mindset If you don’t know your why you’ll never do your what. Before you can start on the way to becoming a brain warrior, you must first determine exactly why you want to start on this path – what is your short-term goal? Do you have long-term or preventive health goals? M – Mindset Fostering willpower and honing your mental concentration is a great place to begin mastering the Brain Warrior’s philosophies. When you begin to consistently think more clearly, nothing can distract you from your goals. A – Assessment You can’t change what you don’t know. You have to make an honest, practical self-assessment of your health; no matter how bad things are now, if you aren’t honest with yourself, they will only get worse. S – Sustenance To start acting like a warrior, you have to start eating like a warrior. Food is medicine. What you put into your body is fueling how you feel and respond, to external stressors. When you eat nutrient-rich foods, and make smarter meal choices, you will feel the benefits in record time. T – Training To be a warrior, you have to train like a warrior. This war for your health is no joke, which is why you have to physically exercise, sweat regularly, get strong, stretch, train, eat right, and prepare every day for the battles ahead. Soon, you will be more prepared for any obstacle you face on your way toward total well-being. (Maintaining a stronger body helps make you feel more equipped, potentially better at handling crisis or health problems that crop up.) And they always do, after all. E – Essence What is a warrior made of? All of us have felt pain, weakness or discomfort. With time and education and professional help, real warriors can turn their pain into purpose. And because of those convictions, you will push yourself to be stronger, clearer and more vital every day. R- Responsibility It’s not just about you; it’s about generations of you and your family. Your actions on the way to becoming a warrior are not simply for your benefit. Good habits affect your offspring and your family tree over generations. Your health and wellness efforts will rub off on those around you and have positive effects you could never have predicted. Y – Years The Brain Warrior’s Way is not a fad diet or a 2-week program, this is a way of living so that you can learn to start each day better than the last. A warrior is rational and focused. Learning to have M.A.S.T.E.R.Y. over your brain, emotions and also your body will benefit you not just for the next few weeks, but for the remainder of your life. (Remember those long-term goals?!) If you enjoy reading this type of inspiration, join me for a weekly Facebook live chat where we’ll discuss all types of health, nutrition, exercise and wellness strategies. Thank you for being an important part of our tribe. We get better together. That’s why it is important for you to start your own tribe and work together with the people you love to get everyone healthy. A great way to start is by gifting The Brain Warrior’s Way Bundle: an amazing package containing both The Brain Warrior’s Way and The Brain Warrior’s Way Cookbook at a special discounted price!
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Why Multiple-Mechanisms are Better for Your Memory
Your brain gets sick or it ages in many different ways, and that is exactly how we assess and optimize it. Assessing and targeting multiple processes like inflammation, blood flow, cell membrane health, and more can make a radical difference in your brain function. Single-mechanism interventions, such as taking just single supplements like chromium or vitamin E by themselves, have not consistently worked in large-scale studies to stave off cognitive impairment. But when we use smart combinations to fight the war for brain health on multiple fronts our effectiveness significantly improves. One such combination formula is BrainMD’s Brain & Memory Power Boost. This is the supplement formulated to help in our brain enhancement work with active and retired NFL players. When used in conjunction with a brain healthy program, we demonstrated significant improvement in memory, reasoning, attention, processing speed and accuracy. It was so effective that I take it every day. Brain & Memory Power Boost includes the super-antioxidant N-Acetyl-Cysteine (NAC), phosphatidylserine to maintain the integrity of cell membranes, huperzine A and acetyl-l-Carnitine (ALC) to enhance acetylcholine availability, alpha-lipoic acid to improve cellular energy production, and vinpocetine and gingko biloba to enhance blood flow. This is a novel combination of powerful antioxidants and nutrients essential in enhancing and protecting brain health. It supports overall brain health, circulation, memory and concentration. Some of the prettiest looking brains I have seen through our imaging work are those on ginkgo. Ginkgo extract comes from the leaves of the Ginkgo biloba tree, the oldest living tree on the planet, dating back roughly 200 million years! It is a powerful antioxidant that is best known for its ability to enhance circulation, memory, and concentration. Studies show that ginkgo extract supplementation supports healthy cerebral blood flow, which brings more oxygen to the brain, promoting cognitive health. However, as I mentioned earlier, single-mechanism interventions are not nearly as effective as multiple-mechanism interventions. This proves true for ginkgo as well – thankfully, clinical research supports that the effectiveness of ginkgo is substantially increased when combined with phosphatidylserine. Phosphatidylserine is a phospholipid, one of a unique molecular category that are essential building blocks for all our cells. Though phosphatidylserine is essential for every cell of the body, it is highly concentrated in the brain where it is crucial for information transfer between nerve cells at the synapses. It is also essential for the mitochondria, the cell’s energy generators. Furthermore, ginkgo biloba has been shown to improve working memory when combined with vinpocetine, an alkaloid compound prepared from the periwinkle plant (Vinca minor). If you want a mind that's clear, sharp and powerful, consider trying Brain & Memory Power Boost – an all-star lineup of potent nutrients that protect circulation in your brain, boost brain circuit function, and promote mental sharpness. [wc_box color="inverse" text_align="left"] Don’t just take our word for it! Here is a recent testimonial to the power of Brain & Memory Power Boost: “Yesterday my husband and I had a fun revelation about your Brain and Memory Power Boost. We ran out about 3 weeks ago. Confession time....we have both REALLY noticed that there has been a drop in focus and memory. Just a little edge has been removed. I can hardly wait to get back on track. Last year at this time I stopped taking them for about month just to see if I noticed anything and boy, oh boy, did I! My husband and I are feeling the same thing again. We will never go without a big supply of Brain and Memory Power Boost again!! NEVER NEVER NEVER!!” - Jill C. [/wc_box]
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Focus on Choline: Improve Focus & Memory
Believe it or not, summer is coming to an end. It is the back-to-school and, for a lot of people, back-to-work, time of year – a time requiring focus, concentration, and memory. Plenty of people struggle with those…and if you are one of those, it is time to pay attention to choline. Choline? Many have never even heard of it before, let alone been aware they needed to pay attention to it. So what is choline? Although not technically a vitamin by strict definition, it is an essential nutrient required for many functions of the body, especially for brain function. It is also involved in healthy liver function, nerve function, and muscle movement, as well as supporting energy levels and maintaining a healthy metabolism. One of the primary functions of choline is helping brain cells in the production of acetylcholine, a key neurotransmitter for mental focus and learning. A choline deficiency can result in poor concentration, poor memory, mood changes and other cognitive impairments, especially as someone ages. Additionally, choline plays an important role in maintaining the structural integrity of cell membranes and for cholinergic neurotransmission, which is responsible for memory, mental clarity, focus and concentration. Choline has been shown in research to be helpful in improving cognitive performance in a young, cognitively healthy, community-based population of 1,391 subjects. Furthermore, choline is a major dietary source of methyl groups, which the brain needs for making the neurotransmitter epinephrine, the sleep hormone melatonin, and the myelin insulation of its nerve cells. Our neurons and all our other cells also require methyl to make and maintain their DNA, to manage their healthy gene activity (epigenetics), for growth and maintenance, regulation of potentially toxic homocysteine, and for numerous other life functions. While our bodies are able to make a small amount of choline on their own, we must obtain the rest from food sources. Choline can be found in foods including egg yolks, liver, beef, salmon, cod, cauliflower, Brussel sprouts, and peanut butter. You may have heard eggs referred to as “brain food” because they are so rich in choline. Research indicates that a large percentage of women, children, and older men are not receiving adequate choline in their diets. Choline is especially present in animal products, so vegetarians and vegans are more prone to experiencing a deficiency in choline. Although eating a varied diet increases the likelihood that you are consuming enough choline, you may want to consider trying a supplement that contains choline – especially if you find yourself struggling with memory, focus, attention, or learning. The nutritional ingredients in our BrainMD products are specifically designed for the health of the organ that controls everything we do, think and feel—the brain. Focus & Energy and Attention Support both contain Choline for improved focus. Read more about these two different products on the BrainMD website to better understand how they may benefit you.
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The Problem With Some Turmeric and Curcumin Supplements
Although often used interchangeably, the words curcumin and turmeric actually describe two different things. Turmeric is a yellow-orange spice, related to ginger, that is found in curry, while curcumin is the naturally occurring chemical compound in turmeric. There are three major curcumins – curcumin, demethoxy-curcumin, and bis-demethoxycurcumin – which are the substances most responsible for the 4,000-plus years of traditional medicinal use of turmeric root. Modern science has extensively researched these curcumins (technically, curcuminoid polyphenols) and established their powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits along with a myriad of other positive actions. It isn't difficult to find research demonstrating the health benefits of curcumin, including benefits to cardiovascular health, cognitive health, and mood. But they have a fatal flaw: they are normally very poorly absorbed when taken by mouth. In fact, conventional curcumin powders and supplements can be so poorly absorbed that NO curcumin is actually found in the bloodstream – which translates to no appreciable benefit to the brain and body. Additionally, there is very little consistency in terms of quality control among curcumin supplements. Research done by ConsumerLab.com found that more than 20% of turmeric and curcumin supplements they selected for review delivered less than 15% of the advertised amount of the compounds. BrainMD Health is very proud to introduce Brain Curcurmins containing LONGVIDA® Optimized Curcumin Extract – a breakthrough formula optimized to deliver curcumin into target tissues through the critical bioavailability requirements of permeability, solubility, and stability. This dramatically improved oral absorption is verified by human trials. Furthermore, a triple-blinded clinical trial revealed important brain benefits of LONGVIDA®: conservation of working memory, improved calmness and "contentedness" (roughly equating to satisfaction) when under mental strain, and less tendency to physical fatigue from such challenges. In this trial the curcumin group also showed cardiovascular benefit, by lowering total and LDL cholesterol statistically better than the placebo group. The Brain Curcumins supplement from the BrainMD Health team supplies 25% more LONGVIDA® per capsule (500 mg) than was used in the clinical trial (400 mg), for additional benefit to mind and body. So if you are looking for a supplement that promotes alertness and calmness, supports working memory while under mental strain, and which is protective to your brain and body through powerful antioxidants, give BrainMD Health’s Brain Curcumins a try – your satisfaction is guaranteed!
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Improve Mood and Movement with SAMe
Do you ever feel: Short on energy? That your body isn't working the way you'd like it to? Less than fully positive about life? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may consider trying SAMe. SAMe (S-Adenosyl-Methionine. Pronounced “sammy”) is a naturally-occurring, hard-working molecule that is found in almost every tissue and fluid in the body. It is organically produced in our bodies from the amino acid methionine in the presence of the cofactors B12 and folate, and is critical to brain and body health. Healthy levels of SAMe support both mental well-being and healthy joints as SAMe plays a role in the synthesis of: Neurotransmitters, critical to proper brain function Melatonin, important to healthy sleep rhythms and outlook Phospholipids, a major component of cell membranes Polyamines, a manager of cellular growth Additionally, it plays a key role in the biological process called methylation. Methylation is a key process that is essential for almost all of your body systems and it occurs billions of times every second. It helps repair your DNA on a daily basis, controls unhealthy compounds that can damage blood vessels, helps recycle molecules that are needed for detoxification, helps maintain your mood, and keeps inflammation in check. And without SAMe, there could be no methylation as we know it. Normal aging, certain medications, toxins, daily stress, and various nutritional inadequacies in your diet (like poor protein intake) can deplete the body’s SAMe reserves and diminish the body’s production of SAMe. Watch this short video featuring Dr. Amen and BrainMD Health’s Chief Science Officer, Dr. Parris Kidd, to learn more about the ways in which BrainMD Health’s SAMe Mood and Movement 400 promotes positive mood and emotional balance, enhances energy levels, and supports joint health and movement. SAMe has been intensively researched for over half a century. Numerous controlled clinical trials support its benefits for mood, cognition, the joints, the liver, the gastrointestinal system, and the other organs. Supplementing with the blister-packed tablets in SAMe Mood & Movement provides the S,S form of SAMe preferred by our enzymes, and helps ensure the body will have adequate SAMe for its needs.
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5 Quick Tips to Improve Your Focus and Energy
According to an article in the Harvard Business review, Beware of the Busy Manager, 1 our unhealthy lifestyles are diminishing our capacity at work. Only 10% of managers are high in both focus and energy, two of the main ingredients for success. The authors found that 20% were disengaged, 30% were high in procrastination, and 40% were easily distracted. This means that 90% of managers, and likely the rest of us, lack both focus and/or energy. You don’t have to be a statistic. There are many things you can do today to have better focus and energy. IMPROVE YOUR FOCUS If you want to improve your focus, it all starts by knowing your motivation. If you don’t know where you want to go and why you want to go there, how will you ever get there? Here is a great exercise to keep you focused on your goals: 1. The One-Page Miracle Clear, focused, written goals are essential to achieving what you want in your life. The One-Page Miracle is a powerful exercise that can make a dramatic difference in your life. Do NOT try to do this exercise in your head – you MUST write it down. The act of writing it down creates a greater connection between your thinking self and your doing self—and makes it appear more real than if you simply think it in your head. Here are the simple steps: On a piece of paper, write down the specific goals for each area of your life, including your health (physical, emotional, and spiritual), relationships, work/school, and finances. Post it where you’ll see it every day, such as on your refrigerator, bathroom mirror or desk at work. Focusing on what’s important to you on a daily basis will make it easier to behave in a way that makes it happen. Ask yourself, “Is my behavior today getting me what I want?” INCREASE YOUR ENERGY 2. Nourish Yourself If you want to look your best, feel amazing, perform optimally at work or in school, and have great relationships in life, eating right is one of the most effective strategies. You’ll have more energy, be in a better mood, and be mentally sharper, which is a recipe for success in every area of your life. 3. Get Restful Sleep Good sleep is essential for optimal brain and body health. It is involved in rejuvenating all the cells in your body, gives brain cells a chance to repair themselves, and activates neuronal connections that might deteriorate from inactivity. You need to sleep well if you want to have consistent, good energy. 4. Exercise One of the most important things you can do during the day to increase your energy, stay healthy and optimize your brain is to exercise. Finding ways to bring small bits of fitness into your day will help you feel energized, relieve stress, improve your mood, and keep your brain vibrant and young! 5. A Natural Boost When you are desperate to increase your energy levels, you may be tempted to try unhealthy methods. Energy boosters to avoid include diet pills, sugary caffeinated energy drinks, too much coffee, caffeinated sodas, and smoking. All of these are harmful to the health of your brain and body. Instead, whenever you need a safe, swift pick-me-up, you can count on BrainMD Health’s very own Brain Boost on the Go to provide the natural, caffeine-free energizers that will leave you feeling sharp and focused. References: 1Bruch H, and Ghoshal S: Beware of the busy manager. Harvard Business Review, February 2002
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Why DHA & EPA Are Essential For Your Brain to Function Optimally
It has been scientifically demonstrated that your brain needs specific types of essential omega-3 fatty acids, such as DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid), to function optimally. These fats are called essential for a reason—our bodies need them, and the only way to get them is through foods or supplements. But what else does science say about how omega-3 fatty acids can support our health? Here is a review of some exciting discoveries: Enhancing Mood New research published in the journal Biological Psychiatry found that omega-3 fatty acids can help lift mood. The researchers noted inflammation has been linked with low moods and found that omega-3 fatty acids had a marked impact on inflammation-induced mood issues. Most of the subjects who took the omega-3s felt better after just two weeks. Supporting Memory Scientists in Rhode Island studied 819 men and women, 117 of who were taking fish oil supplements. The researchers found that those who were taking fish oil scored higher on tests of memory and thinking than those who were not. Also, the brains of those taking fish oil were larger than the subjects not taking it, particularly in two brain structures critical for memory and thinking. A larger brain is generally a sign of better cognitive health. Promoting Focus Research published in the journal Neuropsychopharmacology found that omega-3 fatty acids helped improve focus in children. The subjects who got the omega-3 supplement were rated as more attentive by their parents. What to Look For when Choosing an Omega-3 Supplement If you want the health support benefits that taking a quality fish oil supplement can bring, keep these tips in mind when shopping for omega-3s: Because fish can accumulate toxins such as mercury, dioxins, and PCBs, it’s extremely important that the product be highly purified. Fish oil spoils easily; look for a product that is manufactured according to the highest quality standards. Choose a product that has high amounts of EPA and DHA (at least 500 mg of each). Some inferior quality brands are lacking in one or the other, or sometimes both.
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Do You Really Need Supplements? Think Before You Buy.
Ask yourself…do you: Spend the majority of your time outside where you breathe only fresh, unpolluted air? Drink only pure, clean water? Sleep 8-9 hours every night? Exercise every day? Experience little to no stress? Have no exposure to environmental toxins? Eat wild, fresh, organic, local, non-GMO food grown in virgin mineral- and nutrient-rich soils that has not been transported across long distances and stored for weeks, or even months, before you eat it? If you answered yes to ALL of the above questions, then congratulations—you may not need to take supplements to support your brain and body health! For the rest of us, however, living in a fast-paced society where we too often get food to-go, skip meals, eat too much sugar, buy processed foods, experience stress, are sleep-deprived and dehydrated, drink too much caffeine, and don’t find enough time to exercise regularly, supplements are critical to supporting and optimizing our health. Supplements are NOT a cure-all. They can’t replace important health-supporting habits such as a healthy diet, exercise, sleep, and stress relief. But supplements CAN pick up where food and good health habits leave off, giving our bodies some of the extra firepower they need to fight disease and protect us from the everyday assaults of the toxins that surround us, such as air pollution and pesticides. Supplements can also help reduce inflammation, protect our DNA, boost our immune system, improve our moods, and contribute to brain health. So now that you understand why you can really benefit from supplements, where do you start? There are a lot of supplements out there—if you’ve ever walked down the supplement aisle of your local health food store or pharmacy, you know how many choices there are. Even grocery stores sell supplements these days. The key is to know which supplements to take and in what quantity. Taking the wrong amounts of the wrong supplements is not only a waste of money, but can be harmful to your health. That’s why I developed Brain & Body Power (and Brain & Body Power Max with a double boost of key nutrients for brains that need it). Brain & Body Power and Brain & Body Power Max deliver almost 60 vitamins, minerals, plant extracts, and other nutrients to support optimal brain and body function in a convenient packet that you take twice daily—and at a much better price than if you were to buy all the nutritional supplements separately! We want to provide you with the highest quality, science-based products and Brain & Body Power and Brain & Body Power Max are just that. In fact, there are over 150 clinical trials that have been done on the nutrients contained in Brain & Body Power and Brain & Body Power Max which provide solid evidence about the breakthrough effects that these nutrient combinations can have on brain function. “Of all our supplements, my favorite is Brain & Body Power. I take it every day to support my need and desire for high level performance.”—Daniel G. Amen, MD We are really proud of BrainMD's supplement line, and we want them to work for you. That’s why we offer a 100% money-back guarantee if you are not fully satisfied.
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