In any given year a plethora of drugs are tested for the treatment of cognitive impairments. With an aging population, cognitive decline, dementia and disorders like Alzheimer’s have become major health care concerns and science has risen to the challenge of lowering their impact, testing and manufacturing hundreds of drugs every year. But has science gone looking for the magic bullet when a simple Chinese remedy is already available?

For over 5000 years a common herb has been used medicinally to enhance energy and memory and slow cognitive decline.

Gingko biloba holds the title of being the oldest tree species, living up to 1000 years and growing up to 120 feet. It also boasts leaves that are among the most studied in botanical medicine. Traditionally, gingko has been used to improve circulation, enhance memory and treat dementia. It dilates blood vessels and reduces the stickiness of blood platelets so keeps blood flowing smoothly. It also contains two very powerful antioxidants. These fight free radical damage, the scourge of aging.

Free radicals are short lived, highly reactive molecules that can damage any other molecule in the body, whether they are protein, fat or DNA. They can even cause cell death or the inappropriate production of cancerous cells. As a by-product of metabolic processes they occur naturally.

However, today we are exposed to higher levels of free radicals than ever, through ingestion and inhalation of toxins from the environment, like smoke, radiation, air pollution, and ultraviolet light.

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“The amount of antioxidants in your body is directly proportional to how long you will live.” Dr. Richard Cutler, Director of the National Institute on Aging, Washington, DC. USA.

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Antioxidants scavenge free radicals, neutralizing their detrimental effects. The more antioxidants you have in your body, the less free radicals are roaming around and therefore the less free radical damage. The two antioxidants contained in gingko extract are flavonoids and terpenoids. Flavonoids protect nerves, heart muscle, retina and blood vessels from damage, while terpenoids or gingkoloids improve blood flow.

Originally used in the treatment of dementia because it improved blood flow, research shows that it also protects nerves that are damaged by the Alzheimer’s disease process. It has also been shown to lower the incidence of depression in Alzheimer’s patients as well as improving social behaviour, daily functioning, thinking and learning.

In addition to helping with brain health, Gingko is beneficial in the treatment of macular degeneration, glaucoma and MS. It protects sensitive nerves and keeps a steady flow of blood and nutrients moving to affected areas.

Having been tested by Chinese medicine doctors for thousands of years, this herb has few side effects. However, if you are taking medications, or have specific health issues, it is always recommended that you speak with a naturopathic doctor before starting any supplement, including gingko.

Mind Medicine Prescription
Make sure when you purchase a gingko supplement that it is standardized to ensure quality and quantity of flavonoids or gingkoloids: 24-32% flavonoids and 6-12% terpenoids.

Children do not need to take this supplement unless under the care of a board certified Naturopathic or Chinese medicine doctor. For adults the dose varies from 120-240 mg.

Stop this herb or any other herb prior to surgery or dental procedures. Side effects from this supplement are rare, but if you are concerned see your primary health care provider.

If our body isn’t properly maintained, it breaks down. The brain works the same way. When we give it the right mixture of fuel and oxygen and a healthy dose of the right nutrients, it runs well. But let the maintenance slide and our health eventually begins to decline. At that point, we can either rejuvenate, rehabilitate or start labeling those photographs!

Brain foods supply both fuel and the necessary nutrients to keep your brain in top form. All are whole foods, minimally processed and as fresh as possible. These foods nourish your brain, providing a sustained energy source and specific nutritional resources. The key to whole foods is in the synergistic properties of fuel and nutrients working together.

The brain consumes copious amounts of nutrients so the more vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients you get from your food…the healthier your brain will be.

The Mind Medicine Method focuses on foods that pull double duty. Not only do these foods supply exceptional nutrient value, but they also provide protection from degenerative processes.

One group of foods that do this to an impressive degree, we don’t even consider as food! They’re looked upon as flavour accessories! Yet spices have some of the most potent protective and healing properties of all foods.

Curcumin is an active ingredient of the popular Indian spice, turmeric. You may know it as the yellow coloured ingredient in curries. It has the annoying and cloying habit of staining anything it touches, including my white kitchen floor.

This exotic spice, cultivated for centuries, sports an impressive number of benefits and are one of the most studied food products today.

Not only does turmeric act as a flavour enhancer in many delicious Indian dishes, but it also has anti cancer properties, acts as an anti-inflammatory, liver supportive, contains phytoestrogenic compounds, and shows a significant effect as a therapeutic agent in neuro-inflammatory disease processes like Alzheimer’s.

In several recent research findings, curcumin has shown an impressive ability to inhibit the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. The bonus is that because curcumin is a food, there are no dangerous side effects, although there is an extra benefit. Curcumin, acts as an antianxiolitic. In other words, it can calm you down as well as help retain your memories!

Don’t think though that you can go out and buy a pound of turmeric spice and start taking it by the spoonful! Curcumin is not easily absorbed, due to the damaging effect of stomach acid, most of the active components don’t make it into the bloodstream.

Fortunately, there are ways of enhancing curcumin’s assimilation: through specific manufacturing processes and by combining it with other key nutrients. Piperine, a constituent of black pepper, aids in curcumin’s absorption, as does enteric coating of capsules. Currently, research is finding promise through intravenous administration where curcumin bypasses the digestive system completely. Even nano-technology has paired up with this wonder spice, creating a supplement programmed for special delivery!

In our clinic we favour two products, not only for their efficacy but also for the wealth of research and safety backing them. Priority One and Thorne Research both offer formulas that deliver curcumin to where it is needed! I take Meriva-SR, a patented formula from Thorne Research, that doesn’t upset my sensitive tummy and John takes Priority One’s patented Curcumin C3 Complex. Both are standardized to deliver 250 and 1000 mg of curcumin, respectively. You can purchase these top quality, professional products, through naturopathic offices or by contacting Dr. John Yim, ND at 250-755-1930.

One other benefit of curcumin is its ability to enhance memory after brain trauma and ischemia. As stroke impacts more and more North Americans, finding a simple, effective and non-toxic solution to memory loss is imperative. If you have a loved one who has recently experienced memory loss related to brain trauma consider curcumin as part of their therapy.

For anyone desiring graceful, health-filled aging, add curcumin to your daily regime of healthy living solutions.

The tenth largest area of pharmaceutical research is in cognition enhancement. In one year over 150 brain drugs were being tested worldwide. Yet for over 5000 years a simple herb has been used by the Chinese to slow brain aging and retain memory. Find out what that herb is, next time on 101 Things to Do To Build Brain Power!

Seems like this is a hot topic! If you’d like to enhance the romance, go to my website for some spicey ideas!
Enjoy!

        After talking about sex hormones, in tips #25-28, I thought it would make a lot of sense to discuss how relationships can impact your brain health and growth. Tip #31 is about creating a social neuronal network!

        You may have thought, when I first announced I would be sharing 101 Things to Build Your Brain, that the focus would be on the right foods to eat or the right games to play. You probably weren’t thinking you’d be getting information on relationship rescue! But the fact is, when you are in a good love relationship with another person, not only do you live longer, but you also stay healthy longer.

        For a committed relationship to help build the brain and keep you lucid longer, five principles apply. One of the main reasons these principles work is because they lower stress and anxiety. As you’ve learned, chronic stress kills brain cells! Ensuring your relationship is on and even keel, allows you to develop skills in coping with another person and encourages change, compromise and learning.

Principle #1- We think, process, and listen better when we aren’t stressed!
      Create the right atmosphere before having an important conversation with your loved one. If you head in to a conversation or interaction hot headed and ready to rumble, more than likely you’ll end the discussion in fisty cuffs.  And nothing is as stressful as a bad argument with a partner.
       When we start a conversation with the right attitude, all our problem-solving skills work better, because we’re less stressed.  Less stress is better for our brain and our relationship.
        Here’s the bonus. The problem solving skills you use with your relationship, ie creating the positive environment, will spill over into other interactions, like those at work or school. All of which works towards creating a well-worn neural pathway to better communication and brain power.

Principle #2-Practice and need create new neurological bundles.
       There’s a saying, “Necessity is the mother of all invention”. When there is a need, humanity kicks into high gear to create solutions. Need creates the initial spark but practice grows that spark into a flame.
       When it comes to your relationship, the need for better communication and interactions is an imperative. After all, who wants to grow old with a partner they barely tolerate? As you creatively work toward a better relationship you create new neuronal associations. Practice makes the pathways to those associations stronger.
Want to build a better brain? Build a better relationship!

Principle #3-Create new ways of dealing with old issues.
        How many times have you been in the heat of an argument with your partner when they’ve started rehashing every wrong you have ever perpetrated on them? It almost makes you want to shut down and ignore them.
       Well that isn’t far from what happens in your brain. When we argue or discuss the same old issues, our brain will stop processing the information. You could say it’s like selective thinking. The brain already knows the ritual around the issue so it starts blanking out. Over time, negative, unfulfilled emotions get imprinted along with the topic of the argument. So every time that issue reappears the well-worn neural pathway kicks in and sends your brain in to autopilot!
        To break the pattern, instead of repeating yourself over and over with the same dialogue, stop the conversation and take a different tack.  Move it toward a more solution-based conversation by using, as an example, the effective, “I feel frustrated about ‘x’, what can I do to change it?”

Principle #4- Learn to recognize when growth opportunities present themselves and use them to move yourself forward.
            Part of the maturing process involves recognizing lessons in events, both good and bad. In a relationship, there are plenty of both. Instead of looking at relational tribulations as a ball and chain you have to put up with, view them as potential sources of personal growth.

 For example:
1.      We are social creatures who thrive in a community setting. When we listen to our partner we create an atmosphere of mutual respect and cooperative community. Women are natural listeners but even we can learn from listening to our male partners or rather, learn how to listen to our male partners!   
For Women-Men want to fix things. They don’t always understand our need to work through an issue by talking about it. They just want to jump in and solve it. They will sift through everything you say for information pertaining to the issue. Once they have all the points lined up, they’ll leap in, like the hero they want to be, with a way to improve or fix it. Tell them in advance whether that is what you want or not! If you want them to sit back and listen, tell them. If you want a hero, let them know that too!  
When your male partner does begin sharing and opening up to you, listen with all your senses, not just your ears. Guys will talk as plainly as they know how. But if you really listen they can also speak volumes through tone of voice, body posture, breathing pace and hand movements. All of which, if you allow it, can trigger your female intuition to kick in and ‘hear’ between the lines.   
For Men-Okay guys, women like to talk. Period. All we ask is that you listen. Not to the TV blaring in the background, or with half an eye on the paper, but with your whole mind and body. Ask questions throughout our chatter, to clarify a point, or to help us dig deeper into what it is we’re trying to say. Be frank, within reason, be kind, always. It’s really that simple.

2.      If men and women simply listened better to each other, relational stress would drop dramatically. The outfall of that would be healthier bodies and healthier minds. The other side effect of listening to each other is the opportunity to learn how to be a better individual and community member. When you improve your communication skills, it automatically follows that you grow your brain. It’s all about integrating what you’ve learned from listening! Any learning builds stronger, more fluid neuronal associations. When your partner makes note of an area open to improvement, instead of taking offense, consider how that fits into your plans for personal growth. One of the most important aspects of a relationship is giving and receiving support. Part of what that looks like is in helping each other improve and grow. But remember, what trumps it all is the importance of nurturing and respecting each other. Your relationship needs to be honoured and as such, requires great love and understanding in all communications. This is where the most growth potential lies, especially in growing your brain. Positive emotions, like love stimulate the release of neurotransmitters, creating strong associations and memories.
 
Principle #5-Neuronal pathways are changeable and can be improved.
            Relationships teach us how to be better people and provide a powerful incentive for living a healthy life. In fact, men who are in a long-term relationship live longer. Relationships provide great pleasure to the individuals involved, both physically and emotionally. As we age, the pleasure we receive from each other mellows and deepens, changes from the passionate, steamy romance, to an enduring unconditional love. It doesn’t happen overnight, it develops as each partner chooses to give and receive. Anytime an aspect of a relationship is changed and improved upon old neuronal pathways are rewired and rerouted to more positive ones. The cascade effect from this is that the ability to create positive, uplifting pathways gets easier. In other words, the positive aspects of your relationship teach your brain how to be happy and then make it easier to feel happy! Bonus!
 
Relationships aren’t easy, but they are brain building and healing. If you and your partner are struggling in your relationship I encourage you to consider the above suggestions or investigate ways to improve it. I’ve included a couple of books John and I have found very useful.
 
 Several years ago, we attended the Imago Intensive at Hollyhock Retreat on Cortez Island. It was an eye opening experience. I’m sure both of us left there with bigger brains! If you are able to attend one of Harville Hendrix workshops I encourage you to do so, his Imago protocol really works!
 
Relationship Rescue by Dr. Phil McGraw
Getting the Love You Want by Harville Hendrix
 
Copyright 2011 @ Beth Hendry-Yim and Meza Health Systems, Inc.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Mindlessly watching television puts our brains to sleep, lulls us into an unhealthy, unconscious state. In your lifetime you will probably spend up to fifteen years sitting in front of the TV absorbing someone else’s idea on family, relationships and anger management. Fifteen years! Now, if TV actually grew your brain, it would be a wonderful way of combining entertainment with brain growth. Unfortunately, that isn’t how it works. In fact, the opposite may be true.
Observe what happens when you watch TV. Eventually, you become a passive observer, flicking between channels, seduced into an automaton state of being. It’s very addictive. The combination of surfing the channels, short 2-3 second segments and flashy, 30 second commercials in quick succession draws us in and gets us hooked. It actually can put us into a trance state, where we are highly suggestible. It’s not a great environment for building concentration and attention or good values.
We want our brains awake, conscious and focused. In order to grow your brain, your neurons need to be stimulated, motivated to consider different viewpoints and perspectives. It needs to be challenged to make new associations and connect old information with new knowledge.
The next time you turn on the boob tube make it your intention to grow your brain. Consider watching a program with depth, something thought provoking that could stimulate conversation. During the commercials, discuss the hidden messages in the ads. And look beyond the main characters to the set behind them. Notice anomalies or further ad placement. Most importantly, keep your mind active, don’t let the TV hypnotize you; instead use it as a tool to better your mind.
Of course, there is always the choice to turn the TV off! Imagine what you could get up to, a walk around the block, a game with the kids, romance?!!!

At the talk last night, a woman asked how to get her five year old to eat seaweed. I promised to get in the kitchen today and play with a cookie recipe. Here it is with some tips on getting seaweed into your kids. The cookies tasted great and had the added goodness of apple pectin, protein and fiber.

Putting together a fund raising talk in one week is no easy feat. But with the help of the ladies at Old City Organics and our receptionist, Brenda, we did it.

Combining an informative talk on Natural Defense in a Toxic World brought out generous people, filling the room and the donation basket. Between the talk and raffle, participants generously gave $685.00.

Old City Organics generously donated all the profit from sales that night as well…woohoo!

Thank you to everyone who attended and to all the helpers who made the evening a success!

Beth

John and I will be sharing ideas about natural defense in this toxic world, including how to protect against radiation, at the talk on Wednesday in Nanaimo. For those of you who are not here, I will attempt ( with my limited techie ability) to record the talk. If you are subscribed you’ll be notified when I have it done and posted.

I have also been getting questions about protecting our pets. I am not a vet, nor do I have extensive knowledge about dog physiology but here are a few safe things that I am doing for my darlings! I know nothing about cats so I would suggest speaking with your vet about protecting them.

1. Add 1 tablespoon of kelp or dulse (from Canadian waters) to their breakfast.
2. Three times a week the sheltie gets two apples and the border collie gets three apples (not all at once, but throughout the week). The apple pectin can help bind certain types of radiation (John will be talking about that on Wednesday)
3. I feed my dogs raw food that includes yams and greens. If you do not do raw, grate and grind up the yam and greens with cooked food.
4. My babies both get raw herring two times a week. If you don’t do raw than get a fish oil for them.
5. Dogs can do Vitamin C, I give each of mine a dose once a week that is appropriate for their weight. This may increase depending on their toxic exposure.

Our government is saying our risk of exposure is not an issue, however, my main concern is exposure from toxins brought here in food and containers carrying food. Always be aware of where your pet’s food is from. Island Natural in Nanaimo carries a product made in British Columbia using mostly ingredients from Canada. You may want to check them out.

This event in Japan, though horrific, impresses upon us the importance of consuming local foods and avoiding processed foods made with ingredients from all over the globe. Simple and plain is best for animals and their humans.

If I get any more info on protecting your pets I will forward! If anyone has information they would like to share, please, please do so here. My dogs are my mid life kid replacements and my darlings, any info would be appreciated.

NATURAL DEFENSE IN A TOXIC WORLD

Dr. John Yim invites you to this very special presentation.

The planet has become a very small place. Toxins that are produced in Japan, China, Europe, India, America, and even in other parts of Canada reach us here on the Island and add to the toxins that are being produced right here. These toxins can include some very nasty chemicals such as chlorinated hydrocarbons, automobile and industrial emissions, heavy metals, all the way to radioactive wastes.

Toxins have been implicated in a variety of serious conditions such as infertility, allergies, autoimmunity, Alzheimer’s, asthma, thyroiditis, cancer, and many more.

In this timely presentation, Dr. Yim will be discussing the most efficient methods for neutralizing and removing these toxins from the body. He will highlight the program that he calls the Holistic Cleanse. This can be the cornerstone in your “natural defense in a toxic world”.

IN THIS LECTURE YOU WILL LEARN:

· A 2 phase system that first prepares the blood, lymphatics, liver, kidneys, and bowels.

· An effective method to flush toxins from the tissues, into the lymphatic system, and flush the liver and gall bladder.

· How to flush heavy metals and radiation from the body.

· How to utilize the largest organ of excretion, your skin.

· A nutritional program that supports detoxification.

· And much, much more.

JOIN US ON MARCH 23, 2011/ LOCATION TBA

CALL 250 755-1930 TO RESERVE YOUR SEATS

PROTECTION FROM RADIATION FALLOUT

By now most readers have heard about the earthquake that hit Japan. The news media have been closely following the effects of the earthquake on the nuclear reactors in that area. As of now, several explosions and fires have been reported and the Japanese government has acknowledged that the amount of radiation released is definitely hazardous to human health.

This news has huge health implications to those of us living on the west coast of Canada. This is because prevailing winds can carry radioactive material to our coast in about a week’s time. The speed of arrival will depend on the speed of the winds. We should all be praying that much of the radioactive cloud dissipates or is washed out by rain before it reaches our coast.

Although no one has any idea of the amount of radiation we will be exposed to, the radioactive iodine that is part of the fallout has the potential to damage the thyroid. The radioactive material can also cause fatigue, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and fever if the dosage is sufficiently high.

There are precautions we can take to prevent injury. The most important supplement that can protect us is iodine. The Center for Disease Control in the U.S. suggests that taking potassium iodide can prevent the absorption of radioactive iodine. Using a product that has both iodine and iodide is highly recommended. Our clinic carries a product with iodine and iodide.

It is vital to take iodine one or two days prior to exposure to radiation. If fallout continues, it may be necessary to take more than one dose. This will prevent the radioactive active iodine from binding to the tissues of the body and causing damage.

Iodine itself is toxic to the thyroid if it is taken in too high of a dose for a prolonged period of time. It is important to consult a healthcare provider to determine the dose that one should take and for what period of time.

I cannot stress how important it is for those choosing to take iodine to work with your ND or MD. The dose is different for babies, children and adults.

John Yim, ND

Spirulina and Chlorella or blue green algae are also known to have protective properties. Greens First has blue green algae in it so make sure you are taking it regularly. You can pick some up at the clinic if you’ve run out.

I will also be posting recipes for adding iodine rich sea vegetables into your diet. Stay posted.

Beth Hendry-Yim