Brain Nutrients Are A 'Smart' Choice(Part 4 of 4)

A sharp, clear mind is too valuable to let slip away, yet experts believe that over time as much as half of a person's brain power is lost. And while older individuals are more likely to suffer from significant cognitive decline, even people in their 20's sometimes notice symptoms of fuzzy thinking or waning memory. Thankfully, there are ways to defend against this disappearing gray matter: optimal intake of vitamins, minerals, and herbs tops the list of these cognitive countermeasures.

Food For Thought, Only Better

Brewer's yeast and wheat germ have been staple foods in health-food stores, since they are some of the richest sources of choline, a B vitamin-like compound that acts as a building block for the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Without adequate levels of acetylcholine, the brain can't store or retrieve information efficiently.

Supplements of lecithin provide a concentrated source of choline. And studies show that when healthy middle-aged people take lecithin granules daily, they report less memory lapses, such as forgetting names.

Another compound found in trace amounts in lecithin, called phosphatidylserine (PS, for short), supports a healthy mind. Brain cells contain concentrated amounts of PS, which clued researchers into the potential mind-enhancing effect of this compound. Concentrated supplements of PS have recently become available, and a growing body of literature supports their therapeutic use.

Representative of the research on PS is a clinical trial of 149 patients suffering from age-related memory impairment. An assessment of their average memory function showed that the group functioned at the level of an average 64 year old. After taking PS supplements for 12 weeks and being retested, the group had dropped 12 years to the average mental function of a 52 year old. Other research suggests that PS is a promising treatment for the early stages of Alzheimer's disease. (20-21)

Help From Hormones

Dhea (dehydroepiandrosterone) is the most prevalent of the hormones secreted from the adrenal glands. Research suggests that DHEA plays a role in mood, energy levels, longevity, immune function, and body composition.

Pregnenolone is the newest of the hormones to be available as a dietary supplements. Pregnenolone, which is produced by the adrenal glands and is the precursor to DHEA, has only sparse research tracking its effects in the human body. However, evidence suggests that pregnenolone may provide benefits similar to DHEA, particularly for cognition and mood. Animal research shows enhancements in the memory function of mice exposed to even small amounts of this hormone. (22)

Play It Smart

Western medicine usually views the mind and the body as separate entities. Only recently has the holistic concept of the mind and body as one gained acceptance.

As such, good nutrition that nourishes the cells, tissues and organs of the body will, by extension, support a healthy mind. This means that optimal intake of all essential nutrients is a prerequisite for a fade-resistant mind. The addition of other nutrients with cognitive enhancing abilities provides added "insurance" for keeping a keen mind and sharp wit for life.

Resources available upon request.

Courtesy of A-Z Your Health & More
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