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Tips from a Pro: Here's How to Play "Brain Smart" Golf
How do you feel when you get the chance to play a round of golf? If you’re like most golf enthusiasts, you’re excited beyond belief! The butterflies in the stomach and the anticipation of a great round with friends, hosting the low round trophy, or perhaps being the envy of the entire club or your peer group. You’ve worked hard with your coach, endless hours of lessons and drills and work on your swing. You’ve prepared well technically for the best golf of your life, but when you get to the first tee, you may be nervous, unsure, and edgy. As the round gets underway, your confidence begins to weaken and anger and stress sets in. You’re defeated and can’t seem to change the pattern or get to a “positive place.” You just want the round to be over. You wonder if all the hard work was worth it. You may even, God forbid, have a few choice words you want to direct at your coach/teacher. Much of the feeling is disgust and embarrassment. How could someone who works so hard, play so poorly? I’m here to tell you golf is an incredibly hard game! Golf is the only sport where the training field isn’t the playing field. Think about that. We practice adjacent to where we play the game. It’s a miracle anyone can take skills from the practice area to the course and do well. The 4 Buckets Approach to Golf To be our best, there are “4 Buckets” we need to work from as we learn to play the game well. These buckets are physical, mental, technical, and tactical. Many teachers and players focus only on the technical aspects of the game, so the players are incomplete and naturally get exposed when playing. If we only work on one area, we’re deficient in three areas that are just as critical to our success. In my initial assessment of players I ask, “What have you done for your mental game?” Most say “Nothing,” or they have no idea what I’m asking. Our mental game, a.k.a. our brains, are as important if not more important than how far we hit our driver or our spin rates with a wedge, because all we do comes from the brain. We cannot visualize or make decisions without our brains. We cannot have recall, good or not so good, without our brains. Without our brain we cannot perceive ourselves and our confidence level on a skill (internal influences) or perceive the environment around us (external influences) like danger or safety. Our responses to internal and external influences can make or break the day, so mental game work is critical to success. Beyond Technique As a coach and competitive player, I know from experience that we can work on our technique all we want, but we need to also add a physical and mental component to our training as well. Yes, I mean the gym and the creation of habits that help you function and move effectively, but also help prevent injury and assist in recovery. Yes, I mean proper hydration and nutrition and avoiding substances that prevent you from playing your best like caffeine, alcohol, and sugary foods/drinks. If you really think about it, many of the “things” we consume hurt our clarity and decision-making ability on the golf course and accelerate a surge of cortisol, adrenaline, and norepinephrine, which are our body’s three major stress hormones. Isn’t golf supposed to be relaxing and fun? It is, if we do things right. Playing Golf with Your Brain I’ve seen so many players inflict harm on themselves either through substances, thoughts, or self-talk. It’s important that we play “brain smart” golf by understanding our brains and how we can care for them. As for me, I’ve had 5 TBIs (traumatic brain injuries) and have done many things over the past few years to learn how to control my mood, stress level, and breathing off and on the golf course. I was introduced to BrainMD by a long-time student and friend who played 9 years as a center in the NFL. I took a simple brain quiz online and was encouraged for my best health to take daily supplements (my bundle is Brain & Body Power MAX, ProBrainBiotics, Serotonin Mood Support, and Magnesium Chewables). I do all I can to create a positive brain environment, for example, not consuming substances I know are irritants and cause edema. I try new and exciting activities to challenge my brain and create neuroplasticity. I also recommend these practices to the students I coach as this journey of golf is for a lifetime and we’re on it together; we need our brains to be healthy for life and golf. I coach for the brain as well as the player’s technique and tactics and my players not only take care of their brains physically, but we also play thought-inducing games and randomize practice, so we’re always taking an acquired skill and placing ourselves under pressure. When the real pressure is present in competition, or on course play, my students notice that they have proper placed perception and resilience and know they’re going to respond well to a variety of stressors. This develops confident, competent, and happy golfers! Know Your Brain Type My advice is to take the Brain Health Assessment and find out where you are on the spectrum. Get the supplements going, find a coach who challenges you in the 4 Buckets I’ve outlined, and get out there and play your best golf! Meet Brian Jacobs Brian Jacobs is a MS ED and PGA Professional. He’s a Lead Coach for Golf Channel Academy, a 2-time Golf Digest Best in State Teacher (NY), a multiple PGA section award recipient, and a 2-time PGA Magazine Top 100 Growth of the Game Professional. He has been Golf Channel Coach of the Week and appeared on that channel’s “Morning Drive” multiple times. His partners include Callaway Golf, Bobby Jones Golf, Flightscope, Sportsbox.ai, and Club Champion. At BrainMD, we’re dedicated to providing the highest purity nutrients to improve your physical health and overall well-being. For more information about our full list of brain healthy supplements, please visit us at BrainMD.
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How Sugar Affects the Brain: What You Need to Know
Don’t believe your tastebuds, sugar isn’t your friend. Refined sugar is over 99 percent pure calories, with no vitamins, minerals, fats, or proteins – just carbohydrates that can spike blood sugar. This spike is soon followed by a sugar crash, which can activate cravings for even more sugar. Harmful Effects of Sugar Eating sugary foods tends to make people hungry and tired. It also can lead to unwanted weight gain. Excessive refined sugar consumption can create mineral deficiencies, interfere with the actions of calcium and magnesium, trigger an unhealthy inflammatory response, increase erratic brain cell firing, and may even cause aggressive behavior. Additionally, sugar consumption has been associated with mood issues and attention problems. It also can increase triglycerides, lower HDL, and increase LDL cholesterol. BrainMD’s Chief Science Officer, Dr. Nicole Avena, has identified many harmful aspects of sugar in her TED-Ed lesson, “How Sugar Affects the Brain.” In the short but informative video, Dr. Avena discusses the dangers of sugar and how sugar affects your brain and gut. Key Takeaways from Dr. Avena’s “How Sugar Affects the Brain” In simple terms, sugar belongs to a class of molecules called carbohydrates (carbs). On food labels, sugar may appear as glucose, fructose, sucrose, maltose, lactose, dextrose, or starch. Keep an eye out for corn syrup, fruit juice, raw sugar, and honey, which also contain sugar. When considering sugary foods, we tend to think of the usual culprits, like cake, cookies, candy, and candy bars. The alarming reality is that sugar can be found in a host of items at the grocery store. Sadly, sugar is added to a wide array of products including dried fruit, yogurt, ketchup, granola bars, and even flavored water. How Sugar Affects the Brain Hypothetical: you take a bite of cereal. The sugars in the cereal activate the sweet taste receptors at the tip of the tongue. These receptors send a signal to many areas of the brain via the brain stem. One of these brain regions, the cerebral cortex, registers different tastes, including bitter, salty, umami and, of course, sweet. The unique taste sensation activates the brain’s reward system, which is a complex network of chemical and electrical pathways across several different regions of the brain. Eating a spoonful of cereal prompts the subconscious question, “Should I do that again?” Unfortunately, overactivating the reward system can lead to a loss of control, greater cravings, and increased intolerance to sugar. Sugar and the Gut Did you know your gut has sugar receptors? These receptors don’t function like tastebuds, though. They send signals to the brain that you’re full or that your body should produce more insulin to counter the increased intake of sugar. Sugar and the Brain Central to our reward system is the neurotransmitter dopamine. Alcohol, nicotine, or illicit drugs can help send dopamine into overdrive, leading people to continuously seek the high they get from these substances. Sugar may affect our reward system in a similar manner to these substances. In fact, some animal studies have demonstrated the drug-like effects of added sugars. If someone eats too much sugar, the dopamine level doesn’t level out; eating too much sugar will continue to feel rewarding. This may explain how many people get hooked on sugary foods. Bottom line: overconsumption of sugar can have addictive effects on the brain. So, now that we’ve seen how sugar affects the brain and body, let’s look at some practical ways you can curb sugar consumption. 3 of the Best Ways to Reduce Your Sugar Intake 1. Avoid Hidden Sugars Even if you aren’t adding sugar to the foods and beverages you enjoy, you still may be consuming sugars without even realizing it. Many so-called health foods contain added sugars. Always read food labels to identify these hidden sugars. Here are 10 “health” foods that may contain hidden sugars: Pre-made protein smoothies Flavored bottled water Instant oatmeal Milk alternatives Nut butters Gummy vitamins Bottled green tea Salad dressing Flavored Greek yogurt Protein powder 2. Balance Your Blood Sugar Low blood sugar levels are associated with overall lower brain activity, including lower activity in the prefrontal cortex (PFC), the brain’s brake system. Low brain activity in the PFC can translate to more cravings and bad decisions. Research in the journal Personality and Social Psychology Review shows that self-control failures are more likely to occur when blood sugar levels are low. Drinking alcohol and eating sugary snacks, sweetened beverages, and other high-glycemic foods (rice, pasta, cereal) can cause blood sugar levels to drop. Stabilizing blood sugar levels throughout the day can help improve self-control and overall feelings of wellness. These simple tips can help you keep your blood sugar balanced: Eat protein and healthy fats at every meal. Have smaller meals throughout the day. This helps eliminate the blood sugar rollercoaster ride that can impact your emotions and increase cravings. Replace simple sugars and refined carbs with healthier options. For example, swapping candy for a square of sugar-free dark chocolate can help you kick a sugar habit. 3. Try Sweetener Alternatives If you want to avoid sugar and artificial sweeteners, there are better, healthier options to consider. To add a little sweetness to your coffee or tea, reach for natural, lower-calorie sweeteners like monk fruit powder, erythritol, or unprocessed stevia. In their raw and natural state, these are much healthier choices than their refined counterparts and include vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber. Note: stevia should be used in limited amounts as it can keep the tastebuds hooked on the “sweet” taste of foods. Curb Your Sweet Tooth Consuming large amounts of sugar can be detrimental to your health. Many illnesses have been linked to excessive sugar intake over extended periods of time. If you’ve been struggling to curb your sweet tooth, these three tips may help you outsmart your sugar cravings. Now’s the perfect time to say, “So long, sugar!” For a deeper dive into the dangers of sugar, be sure to purchase Dr. Avena’s new book, “Why Diets Fail.” At BrainMD, we’re dedicated to providing the highest quality supplements to improve your physical health and overall well-being. For more information about our full list of brain healthy supplements, please visit us at BrainMD. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This content is for informational purposes only. It is not meant to substitute for medical or healthcare advice from a physician, nor is it intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult your healthcare provider before beginning a new health regimen.
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5 of the Top Benefits of Reading and How to Read More
It’s no coincidence that many of the world’s brightest, most accomplished, and successful people are voracious readers. When considering the benefits of reading, it's clear that reading boosts intelligence, comprehension, imagination, critical thinking, empathy, vocabulary, and more. Reading books does the double duty of enriching an individual with knowledge and/or engrossing stories, while also stimulating the brain in unique ways. It’s more neurobiologically demanding than simply processing images or speech. When you read and work to understand a concept or start to picture a character or story, different parts of your brain – such as vision, language, and associative learning – begin working together. We use both hemispheres of the brain when we read. Also, reading activates the corpus callosum (the tissue that connects the two hemispheres) which allows for a better exchange of information (connectivity) between the hemispheres. Let’s take a closer look at some of the benefits of reading, and how to read more. 5 of the Top Benefits of Reading + Reading Tips 1. Improves Brain Power and Structure Reading increases your brain power and can even improve your brain structure. The mental stimulation it provides stokes the development of new neurons, which boosts brain functioning in numerous ways. One of the top benefits of reading is that it enhances your imagination. We use our imaginative powers to create images of the people, places, and actions described in books. This practice strengthens the mind as it acts like a muscle. This makes it easier for your mind to imagine things in real life as well. Imagination encourages creativity and innovative thinking. Reading has been shown to boost intelligence. In an ongoing longitudinal study involving nearly 2,000 sets of twins, the twin with stronger early reading skills showed higher intellectual aptitude later. Also related to intelligence, reading critically (as one does with literature) appears to boost mental flexibility. Mental flexibility is the ability of a person to shift a course of thought or action according to the changing demands of a situation. Students who read for pleasure have been shown to do better in multiple subjects, including English, Math, Science, and History. That’s because reading helps students to think critically and improves reading comprehension skills. It’s no surprise that reading is also good for your memory and may protect against neurodegenerative brain health issues. Research indicates that more frequent cognitive activity (such as reading) across the lifespan is associated with slower late-life cognitive decline. Reading can literally change the structure of your brain, making it stronger. One study showed that poor readers can be trained to become better readers, and their brains get stronger as a result. A six-month program of daily reading revealed that the volume of white matter in the language area of the brain of poor readers increased. 2. Increases Empathy Reading literary fiction, especially stories that go deep and explore the inner lives of their characters, helps one to develop the ability to empathize with others. Also called the “theory of mind,” it’s an important process in social cognition. Officially, it refers to one’s capacity to understand that other people hold beliefs and desires and that these might differ from one’s own beliefs and desires. Long-term readers of literary fiction (in comparison to nonfiction or popular fiction) showed better-developed theory of mind in tests. 3. Reduces Stress Reading can be immensely relaxing. A research study on stress management techniques for students found that reading for 30 minutes decreased acute stress. Additionally, a University of Sussex study found that reading can reduce stress by up to 68%, and worked better and faster than other relaxation methods, such as listening to music or drinking a cup of tea. Stress reduction is also beneficial to heart health, and it may account for why reading tends to make people feel good and can help boost mood. 4. Helps You Fall Asleep Reading and bedside tables go together for a reason. A 2019 study involving nearly 1,000 people had roughly half the group read before bed for 7 days, and the control group go to bed without reading. Those who read before bed were up to 22% more likely to report better sleep than the control group. The Sleep Foundation suggests winding down at least 30 minutes before bed with something such as quiet reading (from a book, not a digital device), stating it helps you “get into the right frame of mind for sleep.” 5. Builds Your Vocabulary Research involving adults shows that extensive reading is an excellent way to expand one’s vocabulary. Students who read for pleasure tend to be better readers, better writers, and have more grammatical competence. This can have real-world payoffs. One recent poll found that soft skills are among the most important skills wanted by employers. Among the top soft skills are communication skills, which are honed by a strong vocabulary. It’s Never Too Late No matter your age or reading level, it’s never too late to enjoy reading. Here are a few tips for how to make reading a healthy habit: Make time to read every day. Whether it’s 5 minutes or a half hour, build a regular time/place to read into your day. Take your book with you wherever you go. It will encourage reading whenever you have extra time. Read books you really enjoy. You’ve got to love it to make it a habit. Join a book club. There’s nothing more motivating than having a regular time to discuss books with others. So, pick up a book and start boosting your brain power today! At BrainMD, we’re dedicated to providing the highest purity nutrients to improve your physical health and overall well-being. For more information about our full list of brain healthy supplements, please visit us at BrainMD.
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What Are the Best Vitamins & Nutrients for Memory?
Though no one knows exactly how memory works, it is affected by brain health. Sadly, it’s all too obvious when someone’s memory isn’t working well or is failing. Memory decline can be related to a variety of issues, such as: Unhealthy lifestyle Excessive stress Poor circulation Little or no exercise Being overweight Inadequate nutrition Lack of sleep Head injuries The good news is that it’s possible to avoid or alleviate these issues. No matter how you’ve treated your brain in the past, you can rescue your memory over time by following a health plan. It’s recommended that you get consistent physical exercise, eat a healthy diet and take high-quality dietary supplements with ingredients proven to help memory. Best Vitamins & Nutrients for Your Memory An essential way to support your memory is with proper nutrition. Nutraceutical ingredients, verified from clinical research, can help keep your mind sharp and efficient. BrainMD combines these ingredients into powerful supplements aimed at boosting your memory. Daily Vitamin Packs for Your Memory Brain & Body Power MAX is the most powerful dietary supplement system available today.* It contains superior memory nutrients and provides clinically researched levels of vitamins, minerals, omega-3s, concentrated plant extracts, and digestive enzymes.* This all-in-one supplement system makes it easy to stay healthy on the go with easy-to-carry packets for your purse or pocket.* Each daily vitamin packet contains: NeuroVite Plus Multivitamin - Provides over fifty vitamins, essential minerals, and other nutrients your body needs.* It also includes other clinically-researched ingredients, vegetable and fruit concentrates, and digestive enzymes.* All these ingredients combine to give you a solid foundation for brain and body health.* Omega-3 Power - To operate at peak performance, a healthy brain, heart and body require substantial dietary intakes of the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA.* Each serving of Omega-3 Power provides 1,440 mg of EPA and DHA – 4 to 5 times what you’ll find in conventional brands and big box stores.* To ensure purity, Omega-3 Power is tested by independent labs to ensure lack of rancidity and to exclude 250 potential toxins and environmental or organic contaminants.* Brain & Memory Power Boost - Contains potent ingredients that are clinically-researched to promote the brain’s basic functions, such as its need for blood flow, its high energy demands, and its connectivity through trillions of nerve cells.* Supporting these multiple functions can translate into healthy memory performance.* Powerful Daily Vitamin Powder to Sharpen Your Memory BRIGHT MINDS Memory Multivitamin is scientifically formulated to support memory and other brain functions – such as attention, mood, judgment and behavior – without the hassle of swallowing handfuls of capsules or tablets each day.* We included the most effective ingredients for brain health in this powder, including: plant nutraceuticals, standardized herbal concentrates, vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.* Simply add this sugar-free, citrus-flavored powder to water, juice, or a fruit smoothie and mix. Don’t like swallowing capsules? Now there’s an easier way to get all of the nutrients you need…try a memory-boosting vitamin drink!* Omega-3 Supplements for Memory The omega-3 fatty acids in Omega-3 Power are critical to building healthy cell membranes, which are crucial for all our cells to work.* Surveys indicate most Americans are deficient in omega-3s, getting barely a third of the daily amounts they likely need for optimum brain and body health.* Omega-3 Power complements BRIGHT MINDS Memory Multivitamin to ensure your brain cells are adequately supplied with the biochemical fundamentals they need for growth, maintenance, repair, and for creating and accessing memories.* Best Turmeric Supplement: Brain Curcumins for Memory BrainMD’s Brain Curcumins provides all three of the curcuminoid substances found in the turmeric root. These curcuminoids have been concentrated into the highly effective, activated curcumin formula called Longvida® Optimized Curcumin Extract.* In a double-blind clinical trial, subjects who received Longvida curcumin showed better-sustained attention and working memory (such as multitasking) just 1 hour after taking it.* Brain Curcumins supplies 25% more Longvida per capsule (500 mg) than was used in the trial (400 mg), for additional benefit to the mind and body.* Your memory is what allows you to revisit and treasure the most special moments in your life, so be sure to fortify your brain with the nutrients that can strengthen and restore it.* At BrainMD, we’re dedicated to providing the highest quality supplements to improve your physical health and overall well-being. For more information about our full list of brain healthy supplements, please visit us at BrainMD. *These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This content is for informational purposes only. It is not meant to substitute for medical or healthcare advice from a physician, nor is it intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult your healthcare provider before beginning a new health regimen.
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What Are Some of the Best Supplements for Gamers?
Let’s face it, gaming is a largely sedentary activity. In fact, many gamers sit for 8-10 hours (or more) per session. Though traditionally not known as the healthiest pastime, video game playing has seen some positive changes in recent years. Somewhere along the way, gamers started realizing that physical and mental fitness could help give them a competitive edge. A growing number of gamers are now making a concerted effort to improve their lifestyle. One competitive player, Nick “XLNC” Ward, said in an interview with Red Bull: "My attitude and reactions are the benchmarks of a good diet. They’re sharper and it even allows me to concentrate on other areas because I know I can rely on my shot. When you just start out, it’s easy to put it down to a placebo effect but now I’m convinced that it plays an important part in my ability, especially on the day." Since diet and other lifestyle measures can play such a key role in gaming performance, let’s look at some of the Ins & Outs of healthy gaming, and how to take things to the Next Level. Ins Energizing Exercise In addition to its physical benefits, exercise boosts blood flow which helps deliver oxygen and other needed nutrients to the brain. It stimulates neurogenesis, the brain’s ability to generate new brain cells. Exercising also can aid the process of neuroplasticity, the brain’s way of adapting to challenges. To keep your brain stimulated, and growing, get up and move around at least once an hour, and try to get at least 30 minutes of exercise every day. Take Breaks Your brain is only able to remain focused for about 90 minutes before it loses steam and needs a break. Pushing yourself past this point actually reduces cognitive performance and lowers your ability to problem solve. Shifting your attention to something else for a brief period can help you return to the original task with renewed focus. By taking regular breaks, you give your brain and body a chance to recover and reset. It’s recommended that you take a 15-minute break after every 90 minutes of intense focus. Outs Bad Diet The standard American diet (SAD) is typically filled with pro-inflammatory and allergenic foods, many of which are laced with artificial ingredients and chemicals. People (including many gamers) who subsist on a junk food and soft/energy drink diet are at a greater risk of developing severe health issues, both physically and mentally. Skip any foods that are processed or high in fat or sugar, and reach for a healthy snack instead. Making healthier choices in your diet can benefit your waistline, help lift your mood, and provide a long-lasting increase in energy and focus. Your brain requires foods that are high in vitamins, essential minerals, and other nutrients to help meet its huge energy requirements throughout the day. Consider adding these foods to your grocery list: fresh vegetables and fruits seeds and nuts berries beans free-range poultry grass-fed meats wild-caught, cold-water fish Sacrificing Sleep According to the Institute of Medicine (US) Committee on Sleep Medicine and Research, as many as 70 million Americans have ongoing sleep problems that interfere with their daily functioning. 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. Also, insufficient and inconsistent sleep can increase irritability and moodiness. It’s recommended that adults get 7-9 hours of sleep each night to function optimally. Getting less than 6 hours of sleep a night has been associated with lower overall brain activity, poor judgment, and slower reaction times in tasks. Next Level Nutritional Support Your brain is the most energy-hungry organ in your body and needs nutrients that are proven to improve your energy, focus, memory, and overall mental acuity. To stay at the top of your game, it’s vital that you get proper nutrition, especially nutraceutical ingredients that are specifically designed to keep your mind sharp and efficient. If you’re ready to take your brain health to the next level, try these ultra-pure, nootropic supplements for gamers. 3 of the Best Brain-energizing Supplements for Gamers Brain & Memory Power Boost Support Focus, Cognition and Memory…Naturally Brain & Memory Power Boost was designed to promote healthy brain metabolism and the optimal functioning of its almost 200 billion cells.* This advanced brain and memory formula is developed from clinical research to help sustain circulation to your brain, which is crucial for you to maintain your mental edge.* Brain & Memory Power Boost has a generous amount of ginkgo biloba extract to support healthy blood flow.* Other ingredients help support the blood vessel walls and the brain’s enzyme systems, neurotransmitter systems, and overall connectivity.* Formulated with 6 key brain-boosting nutrients, Brain & Memory Power Boost: Promotes healthy memory and mental sharpness* Facilitates healthy brain circuit functioning* Protects and promotes circulation to the brain* Supports brain energy generation* Defends against oxygen free radicals and other toxic threats to the brain* Together, these powerful ingredients can help you feel mentally sharp and focused so you can think and react quickly...one of the ultimate supplements for gamers.* Focus & Energy Clean, Long-lasting, Crash-free Energy Focus & Energy was designed to promote sharpness and improve productivity without lowering blood sugar.* It’s formulated specifically to reinforce the brain and body’s ability to fight fatigue and adapt to stress.* If you’re looking for a smarter “pick me up,” Focus & Energy naturally supports your body’s energy level with caffeine-free green tea, choline, and the special adaptogens Rhodiola, ashwagandha, and ginseng.* And unlike the energy drop you can experience from consuming a stimulant (coffee, diet soda, caffeine pills, energy drinks), there’s no mood-thudding crash.* It’s clean energy that promotes mental sharpness and productivity all day long!* So, skip the caffeine and get focused with this natural, non-habit-forming blend of adaptogens and energizing herbs for mental focus and concentration.* Focus & Energy is the perfect way to feel energized, productive, and alert.* Brain MCT Energy Superfuel for Optimal Brain Performance The human brain requires lots of energy to function.* Though only 2% of the body’s total weight, the brain uses at least 20% of the body’s total energy.* The brain and body derive energy from many sources. One of the most potent sources of energy are the medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) from coconut oil. Brain MCT Energy offers MCTs that rapidly boost the body’s energy generation, especially in the brain.* These are “good fats” that provide tremendous benefits for mental performance including focus and learning.* This organic oil provides healthy fats that are rapidly, efficiently, and safely converted into energy for the brain and body.* It’s also a great option for improving brain energetics, as well as healthy cognitive and memory function.* Brain MCT Energy is a clean, fast-acting energy source for peak brain and body performance.* Sharpen Your Mental Edge In a society where eating fast or processed food, consuming massive amounts of sugar, skimping on sleep, drinking too much caffeine and/or alcohol and not enough water, and consistently passing up on exercise has become the norm, eating a healthy diet and taking high-quality supplements aren’t just good ideas, they’re critical to supporting and optimizing your health.* These natural, brain-boosting supplements for gamers can help power up mental sharpness and cognition.* They can help you get the most out of your gaming experience.* Try these three powerful cognitive boosters today!* At BrainMD, we’re dedicated to providing the highest quality supplements to improve your physical health and overall well-being. For more information about Brain & Memory Power Boost, Focus & Energy, Brain MCT Energy and our full list of brain healthy supplements, please visit us at BrainMD. *These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This content is for informational purposes only. It is not meant to substitute for medical or healthcare advice from a physician, nor is it intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult your healthcare provider before beginning a new health regimen.
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These Are Some of the Best Ways to Prevent Bloating
No one likes the uncomfortable, bloated feeling of trapped gas, pressure, and/or fullness after eating. Yet, research indicates that 15-30 % of the U.S. population experiences these unpleasant bloating symptoms. But you don’t have to! If you often find yourself full or bloated after a meal, here are several tips you can try to help prevent bloating. 8 Ways to Reduce or Prevent Bloating After Eating 1. Skip Intolerant/Allergic Foods Nearly 20% of the general population experiences some form of food intolerance or allergy, which may cause occasional bloating. When you’re intolerant or allergic to a specific food, it can cause gas to become trapped inside the gastrointestinal tract (GI), which can lead to bloating. Try to identify your problem foods through the process of elimination. Avoiding the bad foods may help reduce bloating. Milk products, wheat, and gluten are among the most common foods that cause reactions. 2. Watch Your Fiber Getting plenty of fiber in your diet is a basic tenet of good health. However, certain high-fiber vegetables, fruits, and legumes can really put the “b” in bloating. That’s because they aren’t fully absorbed in the small intestine and make their way down to the large intestine where they’re broken down by bacteria in your gut, which causes gas and, you guessed it, bloating. Experts recommend skipping high-fiber foods known to be gassy if you wish to avoid bloating. Here are some of the most common: Fruits – apples, oranges, pears, and stone fruits Grains – whole oats Legumes – beans and lentils Vegetables – broccoli, Brussels sprouts, kale, and cauliflower (Note: these foods are so nutritious, you might want to consume them anyway and use some of the other recommendations to prevent bloating listed below.) Instead of those foods, choose less gassy options such as: Fruits – berries, cherries, grapes, and cantaloupe Grains – rice and quinoa Vegetables – bell peppers, fennel, spinach, cucumbers, lettuce, yams, and zucchini 3. Sugar Alcohols Sugar alcohols such as xylitol, sorbitol, and mannitol are notorious for causing digestive issues. They reach the large intestine unchanged where the gut bacteria feed on them and cause bloating. They’re commonly found in sugar-free baked goods and chewing gums. Instead, you can try erythritol, which is a little easier on digestive system. Or try stevia, another healthy alternative to sugar and sugar alcohols. 4. High-Fat Foods Healthy fats are essential to wellness, and dietary guidelines suggest that 20-35% of your daily intake should be comprised of them. Balanced meals with some sources of good fats can create a sense of fullness, slow down the digestion of carbohydrates, and add flavor to food. However, the slower processing of fats can cause issues. In some people, foods that contain high amounts of fat can create a delay in the stomach’s emptying process. One study examining the diets of people who have stomach emptying problems found that high-fat meals exacerbated bloating. Of course, this applies to the less-healthy fats found in chips, pastries, and fried foods since saturated vegetable oils and trans fats can negatively affect digestion. But it also can happen with healthy fats such as nuts, seeds, and avocados. It’s recommended that you closely monitor how your body responds to healthy fats, perhaps by keeping consumption moderate, and avoiding the less healthy options altogether. 5. Avoid Swallowing Air Believe it or not, certain activities can make you swallow air. This air can build up in the GI tract and cause bloating in some people. For example, drinking carbonated sodas can allow carbon dioxide to get into your digestive system and cause bloating. Other common air-swallowing activities may include chewing gum, talking while eating, eating too fast, drinking with a straw, smoking, and breathing through your mouth. Avoid them to minimize bloating. 6. Try Digestive Enzymes and Probiotics Digestive enzymes can help break down food, improve nutrient absorption, and support healthy digestion, which can help reduce bloating. According to Johns Hopkins Health, alpha-galactosidase is particularly useful in breaking down a non-absorbable fiber called galactooligosaccharides (GOS), which is found in beans, root vegetables, and some dairy products. While GOS is known to be a healthy fiber, it can cause gas and bloating in some individuals. Other digestive enzymes may include amylase, lipase, and protease, which help break down carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. Probiotic supplements can be helpful too. They help to support healthy bacterial populations in your gut. Balanced microflora in your gut can help decrease bloating. 7. Drink Herbal Teas Ginger and other herbs (peppermint, spearmint, lemon balm, etc.) have been used to soothe digestive issues for hundreds of years. Some research indicates that ginger may help speed up stomach emptying, relieve digestive upset, and reduce intestinal cramping, bloating, and gas. Peppermint oil has been shown to help with digestion and bloating. Enjoy a cup of ginger, lemon, or mint tea after a meal to help reduce bloating. 8. Take a Post-Meal Walk Light exercise, such as an easy walk after a meal, can do wonders for digestion and help reduce bloating. In fact, research shows that light physical exercise can help reduce gas from the GI tract and relieve bloating. Also, a walk can help boost your mood! These tips may help prevent bloating. However, if you find that you’re consistently experiencing bloating and/or discomfort after eating, it could be a sign of a more serious digestive or medical issue. In such cases, be sure to consult with your medical doctor. At BrainMD, we’re dedicated to providing the highest purity nutrients to improve your physical health and overall well-being. For more information about our full list of brain healthy supplements, please visit us at BrainMD.
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Protein Benefits: One of the Best Ways to Boost Your Brain and Body
We’re constantly being bombarded with changing and conflicting information about diet and nutrition from news outlets, social media, doctors, and books. This can muddy the waters in terms of grasping the solid tenets of diet and health. However, one nutritional recommendation has remained constant: consume adequate amounts of lean protein. A remarkable macronutrient, protein deserves all the positive attention it gets. Here’s why… Protein 101 There are many reasons why protein is good for you. For starters, it performs many critical functions in your body. The human body contains about 100,000 types of proteins made up from different combinations of 20 amino acids. Among their many duties, proteins catalyze biochemical reactions and serve as chemical messengers, make up (and repair) your body’s hard and soft structure, bolster immune function, balance fluids and pH, transport and store nutrients, and more. Protein is literally in every cell of your body. Of the 20 amino acids your body uses to make proteins, it can synthesize 11 of them. They’re non-essential amino acids. However, nine of them must come from your diet. They’re essential amino acids. Animal sources of protein contain all nine of these amino acids, making them a complete protein. Plant sources generally contain any number of them, but not all nine (with a few exceptions such as soy, quinoa, Brazil nuts, buckwheat, hempseed, chia seed, etc.). When we eat protein and get the nine essential amino acids, our brain and body can perform all the functions listed above and deliver all the benefits listed below. 5 Ways High-quality Protein Benefits Your Brain & Body Here are five ways consuming adequate protein can benefit you. 1. Balances Blood Sugar and Mood Protein is important to consume at each meal (or snack) as it helps to balance blood sugar levels, especially when combined with healthy fats and/or quality (high fiber) carbohydrates. When blood sugar is balanced, research shows that mood levels are more balanced too. The brain also may have better focus and concentration. Adding lean meat, eggs, cheese, or nuts to a snack or meal limits the fast absorption of carbohydrates. You don’t get the mental fog that goes with eating simple carbohydrates, like a sugary pastry – and you’ll have fewer sugar cravings! 2. Supports Healthy Muscle Growth Muscle is made primarily of protein. Getting adequate protein helps to facilitate muscle growth, maintenance, and repair. High protein intake can help you gain muscle mass during strength training sessions. And it can help reduce muscle loss during weight loss. Athletes and aging bodies typically require more protein to build and maintain muscle mass. Protein is also essential for cell and tissue growth. Getting plenty of protein allows your body to meet the increased demands of rapid tissue growth (post injury, during pregnancy, while breastfeeding, during youth, etc.). 3. Promotes Bone Health Did you know that people who eat more protein tend to have better bone mass maintenance as they age? It’s true. Some research has found that protein is as important to bone health as calcium and vitamin D, and helps to protect against bone health issues as you age. Adequate protein is especially important for women, who are at a higher risk of having bone health issues. 4. Encourages a Healthy Appetite Getting protein into your meals and snacks (especially with healthy fats and quality carbohydrates) can help you to feel fuller, which means you might eat fewer calories! One study showed that overweight women who increased their protein intake significantly reduced their caloric intake. Researchers believe the increased protein helped to improve the function of weight-regulating hormones, which help signal fullness in the brain. 5. Boosts Brain Function Protein benefits your brain health in several ways. To function optimally, your central nervous system requires a number of amino acids found in protein-rich foods. Proteins make up the internal machinery within brain cells, as well as the connective tissue between brain cells. Also, proteins control the chemical reactions that allow brain cells to communicate with each other. Sufficient protein consumption also has been linked to higher levels of dopamine and norepinephrine, which are brain chemicals that play a role in your mood, motivation and concentration. When you feed your body protein, you’re also feeding your brain. Get Lean Protein Here are a few tips to make protein really work for you: Don’t eat too much at any sitting. It’s suggested to eat what’s equivalent to the size of your palm at meals, and less as a snack. Think of protein as medicine. Take it in small doses with every meal and snack. While nuts, seeds, legumes, some grains, and vegetables contain some of the 20 essential amino acids you need, fish, poultry, and most meats contain all of them. Eat a variety of both. With plant sources you get fiber and other nutrients. With animal sources, you get higher amounts or protein – and omega 3-s if you eat fish or grass-fed beef. Eat Responsibly It’s important not to eat too much protein as it can put an increased strain on your kidneys. Most experts agree that 15 to 25 percent of your total daily calories should come from protein. Talk to your doctor or healthcare professional to determine what amount of protein is ideal for you and then implement these protein benefits into your diet! At BrainMD, we’re dedicated to providing the highest purity nutrients to improve your physical health and overall well-being. For more information about our full list of brain healthy supplements, please visit us at BrainMD.
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This Is What Your Sleep Type Says About You
Sleep Quality quiz: Do you have difficulties turning your brain off at night? Do you have irregular sleep patterns that leave you tired all the time? Do you tend to ruminate over mistakes, grievances, or unfinished projects? Do you worry about every detail of your life…and the lives of your family and friends? Do you have bad habits that prevent you from getting to bed at a decent hour (like eating unhealthy snacks while binge-watching your favorite TV show)? If you answered “yes” to any of the above questions, you aren’t alone. Many Americans have sleep problems, which can interfere with their daily functioning. What Can You Do? Knowing your specific “sleep type” can help you understand what your body needs to get restorative sleep. Recently, BrainMD’s Chief Science Officer, Dr. Nicole Avena, highlighted a few different sleep types on an episode of The Dr. Oz Show. Here are some of the helpful insights she shared on the show… 3 Sleep Types + Tips for Better Sleep Short Sleepers It’s recommended that adults get 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night. Some people are short sleepers, those who get 6 or less hours of sleep each night. Getting less than 6 hours of sleep can have a negative impact on overall health and physical/mental performance. Despite a common misconception, short sleepers and those who deal with serious, consistent sleep loss aren’t the same. The latter may struggle to fall and stay asleep, and their overall sleep quality may be poor. By contrast, short sleepers may be able to function adequately, if not optimally. Since many short sleepers can function well enough to get through the day, they may see no reason to improve their sleep pattern. Light Sleepers A light sleeper may find it difficult to stay asleep all night. These individuals may wake up to random noises and may have problems getting back to sleep. Due to these sleep disruptions, they may roll out of bed feeling like they haven’t gotten quality sleep. People with this sleep type tend to remember their dreams. Since a person needs to be awake for their dreams to be encoded, there’s a good chance a light sleeper will remember their dreams more often than other types of sleepers. Some suggested changes for light sleepers: Avoid caffeine and sugar in the afternoon and evening Turn off all screens at least 2 hours before bed Discipline yourself to get exercise every day, early in the day Never hit the snooze button; force yourself to get up when you shut off the alarm Heavy Sleepers Ever known someone who’s “out like a light” as soon as their head hits the pillow? Chances are, they’re a heavy sleeper. Minor disturbances that would wake up light sleepers probably won’t even register with this type. This works well for the heavy sleeper until it’s time to wake up. Heavy sleepers usually struggle to get up in the morning and may sleep through their alarm clock. These individuals rarely remember their dreams because they don’t wake up, or don’t wake up long enough, for them to be encoded. Though this type is likely to get quality sleep, they may feel like they need even more sleep. Adjusting the bedtime routine to begin earlier in the evening may be an effective strategy for heavy sleepers. 5 Practical Tips for Any Sleep Type Regardless of your sleep type, here are some top tips to help improve your sleep: Don’t Take Naps Instead of taking a nap to make up for loss of sleep, power through until bedtime to get back on a regular sleep schedule. Taking naps when you feel sleepy during the day can compound the nighttime sleep cycle disruption. Work on maintaining a regular sleep schedule – go to bed at the same time each night and wake up at the same time each day, including on weekends. No Late Exercising Instead of going for a late-night run or taking an evening exercise class, make sure to finish exercising at least four hours before you want to go to sleep. Although regular exercise can be beneficial in preventing serious sleep issues, doing vigorous exercise late in the evening may energize you and keep you awake. Comfortable Room Temperature Make sure the temperature inside your bedroom is comfortable and on the cooler side. When you go to sleep, your body temperature tends to drop, which may help you fall asleep. The temperature inside your bedroom can dramatically affect the quality of your sleep. Try Sound Therapy If you struggle to block out noise, try sound therapy, which can induce a peaceful mood and help lull you to sleep. Consider soothing nature sounds, wind chimes, a fan, or soft music. Slower classical music, or any music that has a slow rhythm of 60 to 80 beats per minute, may help with sleep onset. Resolve Emotional Problems Instead of going to bed worried or angry, try to settle emotional problems before going to sleep. Send a positive text, email, or write down an issue to deal with the next day. Once all matters have been resolved or tabled, forget about them. Clear your mind of stress so you can enter a relaxed state that can lead to peaceful sleep. Better Sleep Awaits! If you’re one of the estimated 70 million Americans who have trouble sleeping, try some of these tips for getting a better night’s sleep. Remember that we’re all unique individuals and what works for one person may not work for another. Keep trying new techniques until you find something that works for you. Sweet dreams! At BrainMD, we’re dedicated to providing the highest quality supplements to improve your physical health and overall well-being. For more information about our full list of brain healthy supplements, please visit us at BrainMD. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This content is for informational purposes only. It is not meant to substitute for medical or healthcare advice from a physician, nor is it intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult your healthcare provider before beginning a new health regimen.
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Here Are Some of the Top Food Additives to Avoid
You may be surprised to learn most processed foods are loaded with food additives and preservatives. Food additives help extend shelf life, enhance flavor, and improve the appearance and/or texture of food. Preservatives serve as antimicrobial agents, protecting against the growth of molds and bacteria. Even though the FDA has approved 3,000 different food additives generally recognized as safe (GRAS), there are documented harmful effects of food additives and preservatives. As a consumer, it’s up to you to educate yourself about food additives and examine ingredient lists for the ones that may cause trouble. So, which food additives are most concerning? Good question! Though the list is quite extensive, here are several of the most common food additives that you should avoid… 5 Harmful Food Additives and Preservatives to Avoid 1. Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) One of the best-known additives, monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a manufactured, low-cost flavor enhancer that’s in many foods including: broths, seasonings, salad dressings, packaged foods, canned and instant soups, instant noodles, fast foods, processed meats, and snacks. It also goes by these names: maltodextrin, sodium caseinate, autolyzed yeast, autolyzed vegetable protein, hydrolyzed vegetable protein, yeast extract, and even citric acid. Here’s why it’s a concerning additive. Consuming a generous amount, especially on an empty stomach, has been associated with a host of symptoms, referred to as “MSG symptom complex.” A double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized study found that some participants were MSG sensitive. They noted several unpleasant reactions such as numbness, tingling, headache, muscle tightness, general weakness, and flushing. These are hallmark reactions of MSG symptom complex. Here are several other symptoms that may indicate this condition: Burning sensation in the face and neck Profuse sweating Nausea Chest pain, heart palpitations Although more research is needed, some studies hint that MSG is associated with weight gain, metabolic issues, neurotoxic effects, and detrimental effects on the reproductive organs. MSG is also a type of excitatory neurotoxin (excitotoxin), which can affect neuron firing and neuronal death. Excitotoxin effects are associated with temper outbursts, low mood, feelings of panic, distractibility, and confusion. 2. Sodium Nitrite You might want to think twice about a charcuterie board. Cured meats, such as salami, ham, pepperoni (as well as bacon, sausages, and hot dogs), may be preserved with sodium nitrite. Sodium nitrite blocks the growth of botulism-causing bacteria and prevents spoilage. It also gives cured meats their distinct color and flavor. The problem with nitrites in cured meats is that they can be unstable and can react with naturally occurring components of protein to form nitrosamines, which are known carcinogens. Nitrosamines can form in the meat or in the digestive tract after you consume it. But that’s not all. Some research indicates that sodium nitrite may negatively impact thyroid function, blood vessels, blood sugar, and heart health. 3. Artificial Sweeteners Artificial sweeteners such as acesulfame potassium (Ace K), aspartame, saccharin, and sucralose may provide sweetness without calories, but they come at a price! Research suggests that artificial sweeteners may be associated with an increased risk of heart health issues, blood sugar instability, and may cause harmful changes in the gut microbiome. Ironically, one study found that consuming diet soda containing sucralose and Ace K may lead to the creation of more fat cells. Another study indicated that long-term saccharin consumption may increase the risk of weight, blood sugar, and liver health issues. Artificial sweeteners may cause feelings of anxiousness, disrupt normal nervous system function, and adversely impact the microbiome. If you must have a low-cal sweetener, consider trying stevia, which is a much safer option! 4. Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) BHA is a commonly used chemical food additive that slows the rate of autoxidation in food, which prevents changes in color, smell, and taste. It’s frequently added to butter, lard, meats, cereals, baked goods, sweets, beer, vegetable oils, potato chips, snack foods, nuts and nut products, and dehydrated potatoes. The National Toxicology Program recognizes BHA as “reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen.” Consistent evidence indicates that BHA causes growths in animals, but it isn’t clear yet if these findings apply to humans. The European Union classifies BHA as an endocrine disruptor, as evidenced in animal studies, yet more research is needed for this to be conclusive. 5. Artificial Colors The food industry dumps 15 million pounds of artificial dyes into our food every year! Sadly, foods that require artificial colors for visual appeal are almost always low-quality foods with little nutritional value, such as cereals, pop tarts, soft drinks, baked goods, and ice cream. While nine synthetic colors are generally recognized as safe by the FDA, research indicates otherwise. A UCLA study found that “all of the nine currently US-approved dyes raise health concerns of varying degrees,” citing several artificial colors as carcinogenic or contaminated with carcinogens (Red 3, Red 40, Yellow 5, and Yellow 6). It also noted that at least four colors (Blue 1, Red 40, Yellow 5, and Yellow 6) cause hypersensitivity reactions. A number of studies in reputable medical journals indicate that some children with ADD/ADHD may be adversely affected by artificial food dyes. Mixtures of these artificial colors and sodium benzoate (a preservative) may be associated with hyperactivity and attention issues in children according to some research, but other studies indicate it isn’t. More research is needed. Keep Looking Especially if you have issues with digestion or general food sensitivities, be sure to check ingredient labels to avoid problematic food additives. At BrainMD, we’re dedicated to providing the highest purity nutrients to improve your physical health and overall well-being. For more information about our full list of brain healthy supplements, please visit us at BrainMD.
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Benefits of Grieving: How to Deal with a Loss
Loss is an inevitable fact of life, and where there’s loss, there’s grief. Grief is the acute pain that accompanies loss. While grief is usually associated with the death of someone or something important to us, like a family member, dear friend, or beloved pet – it isn’t limited to death. We can experience grief with any kind of major life change such as the ending of a relationship, divorce, a child leaving home, retirement, or even a change of residence. Grief is powerful. It’s a psychic pain that can be searing, even debilitating. In the throes of grief, one may feel like life will never be good again. It impacts us physiologically too. Research shows that grief is associated with higher stress, disrupted sleep, compromised immune function, and greater risk of heart health issues. While we can’t avoid grief in life, we can learn how to respond to it in ways that don’t prolong, intensify, or dismiss the pain. Let’s look at ways to constructively deal with grief and some of the unexpected benefits of grieving. Healthy Grieving We all have different ideas about grief, especially grief as it relates to death. Perhaps you’ve heard of the “Five Stages of Grief” introduced by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross in 1969. Experts today believe that grief isn’t a linear progression of stages. Instead, they see grief as a process that involves acceptance of the loss, processing that loss, adjusting to life without the person who died, and finding ways to maintain a connection with your loved ones. If you’re experiencing a loss, the following are helpful tips for healthy grieving. 1. Stay Open to the Grief Resisting, denying, staying too busy to feel, or overdoing it with numbing behaviors will make grief worse. What you resist persists. Be willing to deal with the pain of grief. Make space for your grief. Feel it, don’t fight it, and don’t try to rush through it. It may be helpful to think of the pain as a way of honoring the beauty and love of what’s been lost. 2. Give Your Grief Expression Giving your grief expression may mean taking some time alone each day to meditate, reflect, journal, walk, or just be. It also could be creating an altar or putting up a picture of the person or pet you’ve lost. Find creative expression (i.e., painting, working with clay, dancing, playing an instrument, knitting, baking, etc.) with whatever feels right to you. Reach out to trusted friends or family members who understand your grief and won’t try to “fix it.” It can be helpful to tell your story of loss or talk about the person who died. It’s important to be able to tell your story and be heard when you’re grieving. 3. Find Restorative Distractions Grief can be messy. We can cry and express deep sadness or anger one moment, and then be ready to change the channel with a distraction the next. This is totally okay, and normal. It’s healthy to take a break from the pain. Here are some ideas: Go to a movie Show up to work Walk in nature Be of service to another person These distractions may provide a much-needed respite from the grief. 4. Don’t Try to Get Over it Experts resoundingly agree that people don’t “get over” the loss of an important person in their life, and grief has no timetable. Take that kind of pressure off yourself. Grief isn’t something to get through or get over. The acute, cutting pain of grief heals on its own timetable. And like a scar from a wound, it remains part of us, sometimes with a dull ache. 4 Helpful and Healing Benefits of Grieving It’s helpful to remember that as humans, we’re built to handle loss. And from loss can come the birth of something new. Here are just a few benefits of grieving: 1. It Can Be Transformative When we’re in acute grief, the change isn’t welcome. Yet, it’s often followed by a number of positive changes. The healing period can bring new interests and sometimes an entirely new direction in life. Your values may shift. Perhaps you’ll want to create more meaning in your life. Maybe you’ll make a career change or go back to school. 2. Greater Empathy When you experience the pain of a great loss, and another person gives you the gift of compassionate listening, it teaches you about empathy. To surrender and feel a loss fully is as human as it gets. You’ll be able to empathize when others experience loss. Also, you’ll have a greater capacity to listen with empathy. 3. Develop Strength and Resilience Especially when facing the loss of our strongest attachments – such as parents, spouses and partners, or children – we may discover hidden strengths and abilities, clarity surrounding our priorities, and profound resilience. 4. Appreciate Life and Love One of the healing benefits of grieving is that it teaches us to greater appreciate our friends and family and the meaningful moments, however subtle, we experience throughout the day. Also, we tend to value life and sacred connections more. Death teaches us that every moment matters, that we must live and love fully, knowing that what we have today could change tomorrow. We gain a new reverence for life. Relief from Grief In some cases, painful grief persists long after the loss occurs. This is often the case when there’s an untimely or tragic death, estrangement, or painful last words. With the help of a qualified grief counselor or mental health professional, even those with complicated grief can find healing and happiness again. At BrainMD, we’re dedicated to providing the highest quality supplements to improve your physical health and overall well-being. For more information about our full list of brain healthy supplements, please visit us at BrainMD.
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Brain Imaging: 2 of the Best Ways to Look at Your Brain
"Your brain is the hardware of your soul. You cannot be who you really want to be unless your brain is working right.” – Daniel G. Amen, M.D. Your brain is involved in everything you do. How you think, how you act, and how well you relate to others is directly tied to the functioning of your brain. When the brain works right, people tend to be at their best. When the brain is troubled, people tend to struggle in different areas of their life. Talk It Out Many people with troubled brains end up working with a counselor. While talk therapy can temporarily relieve emotional or psychological distress, the root of the problem may still persist, especially if a patient struggles with extreme focus, memory, or mood issues. In many cases, progress is slow because patients don’t receive tangible, visible evidence of what’s affecting them. Sadly, psychiatry is the only medical branch that rarely looks at the organ it treats. Without functional brain imaging tools, clinicians can’t accurately determine the underlying brain patterns of their patients. In fact, how can they really know what’s going on inside a patient’s brain without taking a look? Imaging Changes Everything Imaging removes the guesswork from the standard psychiatric approach of prescribing high-powered medications to treat symptoms, which is like throwing darts at a dartboard in the dark. By contrast, the approach at Amen Clinics is to look inside the brain to identify the root of the problem and to treat it with as natural a regimen as possible. If you’ve hit a wall with traditional psychiatric care or are just curious to know what’s going on inside your brain, here are two effective technologies that can provide accurate images of your brain… Brain Imaging: 2 Ways Technology Is Changing Mental Health Brain SPECT Imaging SPECT (single photon emission computed tomography) is a state-of-the-art brain mapping tool that can give trained medical professionals more information to help their patients. SPECT is a nuclear medicine study that’s proven to reliably evaluate blood flow and activity in the brain. How Brain SPECT Imaging Can Help SPECT allows physicians to look deep inside the brain to observe three things: Areas of the brain that work well Areas of the brain that work too hard Areas of the brain that don’t work hard enough With the help of brain imaging, doctors can see if there are physical or chemical imbalances, vitamin deficiencies, low neurotransmitter production, and many other factors. SPECT imaging is a clinically valuable tool for looking at brain function to help target treatment. In addition, SPECT scans help families see their loved one’s problems as medical not moral, which helps increase compassion and understanding while decreasing shame, blame, and conflict. Brain SPECT imaging can help get to the core of a wide variety of mental health conditions and cognitive issues, so you can find the best solutions to get your life back. Why Choose Amen Clinics for Brain SPECT Imaging? For over 30 years, Amen Clinics has performed over 200,000 scans on patients 9 months old to 105 years old from over 155 countries. In addition to diagnosing and treating patients with psychiatric symptoms such as attention challenges, mood issues, addiction, head trauma, and many other complex or resistant psychiatric problems, Amen Clinics also has scanned many health-conscious individuals interested in learning more about their brains and how to keep them optimized far into the future. The clinic performs outcome studies on all its patients. At the end of 6 months, 84% of complicated patients report improvement in their condition. Also, scores for quality of life increase in 85% of patients. qEEG A qEEG (quantitative electroencephalogram) is a diagnostic tool that measures electrical activity in the form of brain wave patterns. It’s sometimes referred to as “brain mapping.” Brain waves are the rhythmic electrical impulses generated when the millions of neurons inside your brain communicate with each other. Brain waves can convey important information about your overall brain function, including stress levels, thought patterns, and emotions. A qEEG can reveal brain wave patterns that are associated with impulsivity, cognitive inflexibility, and other issues. How a qEEG Can Help A qEEG is a valuable component of the comprehensive evaluation at Amen Clinics. It helps trained practitioners understand the cortical electrical activity in the brain. It can show if activity in the brain is too high or too low, and it can reveal how your brain cells are communicating with each other. A qEEG can help: Identify cognitive and psychiatric problems Show how your brain wave patterns can be improved Predict medication response, such as how you’re likely to respond to antidepressant medication Offer valuable information in creating a personalized treatment plan to help balance your brain Provide objective information that can be used to create a personalized neurofeedback program or guide other therapies to strengthen your brain In conjunction with brain SPECT imaging, a qEEG can give additional information about how your brain functions and can be used as a baseline to track progress with treatment. We can use the information from a qEEG as a guide to determine the most effective solutions to help you change your brain and improve your memory, boost focus and attention, minimize mood issues, and enhance overall mental performance. Why Choose Amen Clinics for qEEG? Over the years, Amen Clinics has performed over 10,000 qEEGs on patients of all ages from many countries. With the information from a qEEG, we’re better able to create a personalized treatment plan for your needs. Take a Look While Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) has helped many people with their struggles, brain imaging technology has changed the way healthcare professionals evaluate and treat the brain. Amen Clinics uses brain imaging technology to identify your specific brain type, so they’re able to tailor a targeted treatment plan to address your symptoms and enhance your quality of life. If you have additional questions about brain SPECT imaging or a qEEG, or would like to set up an appointment, call 888-288-9834 today! At BrainMD, we’re dedicated to providing the highest purity nutrients to improve your physical health and overall well-being. For more information about our full list of brain healthy supplements, please visit us at BrainMD.
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What Are Collagen Peptides and Can They Help My Skin?
In case you’ve missed it, peptides are everywhere! Aging consumers are ingesting collagen peptides in drinks and supplements, and applying beauty products fortified with peptides to their faces and bodies, all for their purported fountain-of-youth benefits. In sports, athletes and bodybuilders are taking creatine peptide powders to enhance muscle-building and strength. You may be wondering, what are peptides and what are their benefits? Or more importantly, do they work? If you’re peptide curious, this is for you! Peptides Explained Peptides are essentially smaller, simpler versions of proteins. Both peptides and proteins are made up of strings of amino acids, which are held together by peptide bonds. Peptides are shorter, basic chains of 2 to 50 amino acids, and proteins are longer, more complicated chains of 50 or more amino acids. Think of peptides as small bracelets of pearls, and proteins as long chains of pearls of varying lengths. These remarkable molecules are synthesized in your body, from amino acids your body makes, or can come from your diet. There are thousands of peptide types. These are vital to many systems in your body, including healing, bone and muscle regeneration, sleep regulation, and even weight loss. Scientists have created lab-made peptides that mimic some of those found in the body, which have been used in medications to treat different types of health issues. The peptides available to consumers are mostly for anti-aging or muscle-building effects. Let’s start with collagen peptides, as they’re the most popular. What Are Collagen Peptides? To understand collagen peptides, it’s necessary to first learn about collagen. Collagen is the main structural protein that makes up the connective tissues in your body. You need an abundance of healthy collagen to keep your skin elastic, your nails and bones strong, and your joints youthful. Collagen makes up approximately 80 percent of your skin. It works closely with elastin to give your skin its structure and maintain its shape. It also provides structure for cartilage, tendons, ligaments, muscles, and blood vessels. Unfortunately, we start to lose a small percentage of collagen each year starting in our 20s. The body loses collagen faster than it can synthesize it. The quality of our collagen degrades too. Lifestyle factors like excessive sun and pollution exposure, poor sleep, tobacco smoke, consumption of alcohol and sugar, and refined carbohydrates can make collagen degrade faster. As a result, signs of aging – such as wrinkles and dry, sagging skin – become more prominent over time. The collagen in the skeletal system degrades with time, too, leading to brittle bones, and stiff, painful joints. Collagen peptides (also known as hydrolyzed collagen) are collagen proteins that have been broken down into shorter chains of two or three amino acids, which allows them to be easily absorbed in the body’s GI tract. Collagen sources generally include marine (from fish skin and scales), bovine (from cow hide), and porcine (from pork skin). Experts believe that when you supplement with collagen peptides, they’re readily absorbed and are then utilized in areas where they’re needed most. Do Collagen Peptides Work? That’s the million-dollar question! The answer is: a strong maybe. The research on collagen peptides is still young, but promising. Research results indicate a host of anti-aging benefits, including the following: Skin The most significant study to date, a review analysis from 2019, looked at eleven studies with a total of 805 patients that used different forms of collagen peptides. The review found that supplementation improved skin elasticity and hydration in several of the studies, with another study showing anti-aging efficacy proportionate to the level of collagen peptide content. Overall, it noted promising results for wound healing and skin aging and concluded that “oral collagen supplements also increase skin elasticity, hydration, and dermal collagen density,” but advised more research is needed. Joints In other studies, collagen peptides have shown promise in helping to lessen joint pain. Experts believe that supplemental collagen may deposit in cartilage and stimulate collagen synthesis. In turn, this may help improve joint health and reduce pain levels in the body. Muscle Building A randomized controlled trial on older adults found that collagen peptide supplementation, in combination with resistance training, increased muscle mass, strength, and fat loss. Protection Against Bone Loss Additional studies show that collagen supplementation may play a role in slowing bone loss, but more research is needed for this to be conclusive. Collagen peptides used in skin care hasn’t been shown to be efficacious in reliable studies. Experts say that collagen peptides in skin care may help to lock in moisture, but that’s about all. Creatine Peptides Several peptides have been used in the bodybuilding world to enhance muscle mass and increase strength. The safest, most widely used and accepted of them, are creatine peptides. Evidence from exercise literature indicates that supplementing with creatine peptides may help to maintain ATP (an energy-carrying molecule) stores in the muscles during training. This can be very beneficial as it helps increase muscular force and power and reduce fatigue in repeated bout activities – which helps increase muscle mass. Additionally, creatine can increase protein synthesis, which helps with muscle gain. To Pep or Not to Pep? There’s certainly enough research to make collagen and/or creatine peptides worth a try. Always, talk to your healthcare professional before trying a new supplement or product. Also, make sure you’re getting plenty of protein-rich foods (like bone broth, beef, chicken, fish, beans, and eggs) in your diet. They provide the amino acid building blocks your body needs to synthesize its own collagen and creatine. At BrainMD, we’re dedicated to providing the highest purity nutrients to improve your physical health and overall well-being. For more information about our full list of brain healthy supplements, please visit us at BrainMD.
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