Wellness Blog

Brain Boost on the Go

Your brain is 80% water, which means you need to stay well-hydrated in order to keep your brain functioning optimally. According to a study published in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, participants in the study who drank water before performing cognitive tasks reacted faster than people who did not drink water beforehand. Conversely, being dehydrated decreases your thinking, increases your stress hormones, impairs your judgment, and can damage your brain over time. Hydration is key not only to brain function, but to whole-body health. Every organ in the body needs adequate hydration to function properly. It is recommended that you drink at least 84 ounces of water a day. But who really likes to drink plain water all day long? That’s why Dr. Amen created Brain Boost on the Go. It is primarily for people who don’t like drinking water all day – or who simply want some variety when seeking healthy hydration. And, he took it to another level by adding brain healthy ingredients to boost your mental function and energy with a delicious, refreshing flavor! 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 the newly reformulated Brain Boost on the Go can help: promote concentration and attention enhance mental clarity and cognitive function increase energy levels without caffeine We’re constantly on the run, trying to juggle all the things we have to do with all the things we want to do. And in order to make it in today’s fast-paced world, you’ve got to stay focused with plenty of energy. It is tempting to reach for a “quick-fix” energy drink or cup of coffee. But watch out! Relying on caffeine and energy drinks actually makes you feel worse in the long run by causing your system to crash, burning out your energy reserve, and constricting your blood vessels (NOT what you want for your brain!) Furthermore, excessive long-term caffeine use is associated with dehydration (which can harm your brain and body in numerous ways), stress on your heart, high blood pressure, sleep issues, moodiness, jitteriness, and headaches, to name a few. So why not opt for the smarter choice? Here’s what you get with Brain Boost on the Go: Effervescence – helps to oxygenate your brain and body as you drink it B6 – calms things down in the brain and can be helpful for memory function B12 and Folate – promote cognitive health and mental sharpness L-Theanine – a component of green tea (decaffeinated) which has been demonstrated to promote relaxation and focus as well as enhance feelings of well-being Organic fruit blend – powerful antioxidant fruits which are providing you with phytonutrients which are chemicals from plants that may help prevent disease and keep your body working properly And best of all, it tastes GREAT! Brain Boost on the Go is a convenient way to "feed your brain" with easy-to-carry drink sticks that add nutrients and flavor to your daily hydration.   “Your active brain needs nutrients, but it also needs water. I put a Brain Boost on the Go stick in a bottle of water and I stay energized and focused.”
– Daniel G. Amen, MD

Healthy and Not-So-Healthy Ways to Boost Your Energy

Do you feel exhausted all day, even after a full night's sleep? Are you too tired to have fun? We’re constantly on the run, trying to juggle all the things we have to do with all the things we want to do. And in order to make it in today’s fast-paced world, you’ve got to stay focused with plenty of energy – both physical and mental. As our energy levels decrease because of our overstressed lifestyles, many people look for a quick fix to combat fatigue. However, there are good and not-so-good ways to increase your energy! On Wednesday, September 16th, I was featured on The Dr. Oz Show “Energy Pick-Me-Ups That Won’t Make You Crash,” that explored healthy and not-so-healthy ways to boost your energy. As part of the show, Dr. Oz came to Amen Clinics NY for quantitative electroencephalography (QEEG) brain scans (a painless and non-invasive procedure) in order to demonstrate the effect caffeine e-cigarettes have on the brain and body. Caffeine e-cigarettes, also known as vaporized caffeine, are a new form of energy stimulant. We used QEEG because it measures the brain’s electrical activity in the form of brainwave patterns, which is an indicator of how your brain cells are communicating, and is used to evaluate brain function. We look at 5 main types of brainwaves: Delta: very slow waves seen mostly during sleep Theta: insight, creativity and daydreaming Alpha: calm and focused Beta: focused High Beta: heightened attention and anxiety Additionally, QEEG can be used to track the changes in brain function from various interventions such as neurofeedback, supplements, medication or, as in the case of Dr. Oz, vaporized caffeine. Dr. Oz underwent one QEEG before smoking the vaporized caffeine to establish his baseline information. Then he underwent another series of them while he smoked vaporized caffeine. The results? The effects of the vaporized caffeine showed lower delta and theta waves (better energy), higher alpha waves (more alert), BUT lower beta waves, which could decrease a person’s judgment. In preparation for filming The Dr. Oz Show, we did preliminary QEEG studies on the effects various commercially available stimulants have on the brain: Energy drinks (containing caffeine and sugar) – Lowered the slow brain waves (delta and theta) which is consistent with better energy. However, the relaxation (alpha) and focus (beta) brain waves were also lowered, which is consistent with a lower sense of peace and concentration. This is definitely not a good idea! Caffeine (from a strong cup of coffee) – Lowered the relaxation (alpha) and focus (beta) waves, which again, is consistent with a lower sense of peace and concentration. This also may not be a great idea for many people. Still think that extra cup of coffee or energy drink is harmless? Think again. Excess, long-term caffeine use is associated with dehydration (which can harm your body in numerous ways), stress on your heart, high blood pressure, sleep issues, moodiness, jitteriness, and headaches, to name a few. Relying on caffeine and energy drinks makes you feel worse in the long run by causing your system to crash, burning out your energy reserve, and constricting your blood vessels (NOT what you want for your brain!) So, we’ve established some of the not-so-good ways to boost your energy. What about the good ways? We also did preliminary QEEG studies on three people to observe the effects of our Focus and Energy supplement from BrainMD Health. Here’s what we found: [wc_box color="secondary" text_align="left"] Patient #1 … Increased focus (beta) brain waves. Patient #2 … Marked reduction in theta waves, which is consistent with better energy and less daydreaming. Patient #3 (Dr. Amen) … I really felt its effects; it lowered sleepy brain waves (delta) and raised my beta and high beta waves, which is consistent with focus. [/wc_box] There are healthy and no-so-healthy ways to boost your energy. From my clinical experience and this small case series, I prefer Focus and Energy (link to the product page). Plus, it is always very important to protect your energy by eating right, getting good sleep, and staying away from things that don't serve your brain, such as caffeine and alcohol. If you want to learn more about improving your energy and having a healthier brain, you can order a copy of my new book, Change Your Brain Change Your Life, Revised and Expanded 2015. Click here for more information. Over the past 25 years, Amen Clinics has helped tens of thousands of people change their brains and their lives! If you feel that you or a loved one could benefit from an evaluation, contact the Amen Clinics Care Center today or call 888-288-9834.

Benefits of Brain-Directed Herbal Supplements

Dr. Oz did a show on healthy ways to boost your energy and less-than-healthy ways to boost your energy. As part of the show Dr. Oz came to Amen Clinics in Manhattan for brain QEEG brain scans. QEEG measures electrical activity in the brain. We did one at baseline, and another series of them while he was smoking vaporized caffeine, a new form of energy stimulant. The effects of the vaporized caffeine showed lower delta and theta waves (better energy), higher alpha waves (more alert), but lower beta waves, which could decrease judgment. To prepare for the segment, we did preliminary QEEG studies on the effects of various commercially available stimulants on the brain: Energy drinks (caffeine and sugar) … Lowered the slow brain waves (delta and theta) in the brain, consistent with better energy. But they also lowered the relaxation (alpha) and focus (beta) brain waves, consistent with lower sense of peace and concentration. This is definitely not a good idea. Caffeine, from a strong cup of coffee, lowered relaxation (alpha) and focus (beta) waves, consistent with lower sense of peace and concentration. This may not be a great idea for many people. We then did three people on our Focus and Energy supplement from BrainMD. Patient #1 … Increased focus (beta) brain waves. Patient #2 … Marked reduction in theta waves, which is consistent with better energy and less daydreaming. Patient #3 (me) … I really felt its effects, lowered sleepy brain waves (delta) and raised my focus (beta and high beta waves), which is consistent with focus. The real key to boosting your physical and mental energy as well as mental focus, is finding nutritional support that gives, but doesn’t take. The Amen Clinics testing showed multiple benefits from a smartly formulated brain-directed herbal supplement designed to enhance mental focus and energy The supplement is BrainMD Health’s very own Focus and Energy formula. The positive energy and mental focus benefits are not too surprising considering the selection of ingredients were made by Dr. Amen himself based on findings from clinical research. As you will learn in this short video featuring Dr. Amen and BrainMD Health’s Chief Science Officer, Dr. Parris Kidd, Focus and Energy is made up of several potent herbal extracts that support focus and energy naturally through many channels, not just one or two. This is the key to its efficacy and why it benefits so many people, like you, who are seeking a real energy and mental focus boost! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YV0T9XrgMY Focus and Energy Explained Focus and Energy is loaded with a substantial amount of decaffeinated green tea—roughly 600 milligrams! Research shows that green tea catechins boost circulation to the brain. They also support optimal function of the nerve cells. Both are good for optimal mental function. The formula combines several adaptogenic herbs too, which help the body to deal with stress and adjust to change. Who doesn’t need support in combating stress and life’s curve balls? Specifically, Ashwagandha, a long-established Ayurvedic herb, is provided in a highly concentrated, standardized form called Sensoril. It has been clinically studied for its mood- and memory-boosting properties as well as calm support. Also included are the adaptogenic herbs rhodiola and panax ginseng – both very high quality extracts that provide stress support, help to raise brain energy and help the brain and body adjust to the circulation boost from the green tea extract. Last, choline, which is now classified as a vitamin, is included to help regulate overall functioning of the nerve cells. Focus and Energy’s strength and efficacy stem from this unique combination of well-studied herbs and nutrients supporting energy and focus on multiple levels. If you have issues either with your energy or you need to focus so you can perform better, consider skipping the short-term caffeine fix and trying a healthier solution with Focus and Energy.

How Exercise Can Help You Live Healthier

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.