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1. Do Foods Affect My Brain? by Doug Kaufman
2. A New Nerve Health Article
3. Is Chronic Inflammation Making You Hot and Bothered?
4. Sleeplessness?

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Do Foods Affect My Brain? by Doug Kaufman

Knowthecause.com

Can what you eat affect your brain? You bet, but how? Are there specific foods that affect your brain?

Today, millions of Americans suffer from clinically diagnosable problems with brain chemistry; these include problems like anxiety and depression. Another seemingly growing problem is that of “brain fog”. Brain fog entails the inability to think clearly, or sharply; often people who complain of brain fog often complain of lapses in memory. In short, it seems as if there might be something we are doing that is predisposing our brains to problems.

We tend to think of systems in the body as separate entities; for example, the cardiovascular system is separate from the skeletal system, and the digestive system is separate from both of those systems. In reality, all parts of our bodies are connected and must work in concert with one another if we are going to achieve optimal health.

Similarly, what we put into our bodies affects not only our digestive system, but every system in our bodies and how they work together. So you might wonder, does food affect my brain? Subsequently, can it affect my mood, or how clearly I think?

Today, many scientists, doctors, and researchers refer to the stomach as “the second brain”. What they mean by this is that our digestive system and our brains are intimately linked. Think about it; if you have ever been under lots of stress, has it affected your appetite? Certainly, the connection between our brains and our stomach runs much deeper than simply losing or gaining an appetite. In fact, much research points towards the fact that what we put into our stomach can have a direct effect on how our brains work.

There are numerous examples that immediately come to mind of how foods––and the compounds therein––can affect our brains:

Coffee & Chocolate

One of the compounds that immediately comes to mind that has a direct effect on our brains is caffeine, which is a stimulant and is found in foods like coffee and chocolate. Caffeine is addictive to the point that some people get headaches and can’t think clearly until they’ve had their morning cup. (NOTE You can get Swiss Water decaffinated Coffee - no chemicals used)

Beer, Wine & Spirits

The active component of all these beverages is, of course, alcohol, which has a well-known, immediate effect on the brain. Alcohol is known the be relaxing, to lower inhibitions, and might make you feel great in the short run, but the reverse becomes true after the effect wears off; anyone who has ever had a hangover knows the jittery feelings and the inability to focus or concentrate that follow a night of imbibing.

Salmon, Tuna & Other Fish

These foods are rich in omega 3 fatty acids. Omega 3s are known for their myriad of health benefits, among them is support for the brain and healthy mood. There is a clear link between consumption of omega 3 fats and benefits for mood and they are thought to protect against brain disease like Alzheimer’s.

Sweets & High Carbohydrate Foods

Sweets and foods high in simple carbohydrates are known to give a rush of “feel good” chemicals into the brain, which is probably one reason why people crave desserts, sweet foods, and why many people get cranky when carbs are cut out.

So, we know that, yes, foods do affect the brain? But which foods do what? And is there something in our food that might be partially to blame?

You can help your Metabolism - Go to Metabolic Boost to find out more.

A New Nerve Healt Article

The article has been updated with all the supplements one would need to restore health to the nerves. (same photo)

Nerve Health

Is Chronic Inflammation Making You Hot and Bothered?

If you’ve ever stubbed your toe or suffered a minor paper cut, then you’re familiar with the effects of inflammation. The heat, redness, and swelling you experienced following that minor injury was the result of acute inflammation, which is part of your immune system’s natural response to trauma.

But there’s another kind of inflammation with which you may not be aware. Unlike acute inflammation, which usually involves pain and is short lived, chronic inflammation can be a “silent fire” and last for weeks or even years.

In fact, most people don’t even realize they’re “on fire” until they’re diagnosed with a serious disease. This may be why chronic inflammation has been identified as a factor in such diverse disorders as autoimmune diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease and rheumatoid arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease, type II Diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

So, what is chronic inflammation? And more importantly, what can you do if you are suffering from it?

The Connection Between Inflammation and Your Immune System

Inflammation is an integral part of your body’s natural defenses. When threatened by harmful substances, such as a bacteria or viruses, your immune system sends wave after wave of white blood cells and chemicals to seek and destroy the offending organisms. This “inflammatory cascade” produces the heat, redness, and swelling which characterize acute inflammation. Once the offenders are destroyed the inflammatory cascade stops and healing begins.

During chronic inflammation, however, the inflammatory response is continual. Any number of factors can cause chronic inflammation.

Hereditary and environmental factors. Both may have a causal effect on autoimmune disease, such as inflammatory bowel disease or rheumatoid arthritis. In an autoimmune disease, your immune system mistakes its own tissues as “foreign,” unleashing the inflammatory response.

Typical Western lifestyle. Diets rich in sugars, fats, and food additives, as well as a sedentary lifestyle, may promote the production of inflammatory chemicals.

The “Fire” in Your Belly

Most people aren’t aware of the major role our gastrointestinal (GI) tract plays in our immune health. Besides digestion, our GI tract is home to nearly seventy percent of our immune system. It is a major source of lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell that plays a large role in defending the body against disease, and mast cells, which release histamines and other chemicals as part of an allergic response.

Calming the Flames—A Natural Approach

As home base for the majority of your immune system, your GI tract plays a vital role in your inflammatory response. By paying attention to your gut, you can minimize the effects of inflammation naturally. The following natural approaches can help:

Omega Essential Fatty Acids such as EPA and DHA may help decrease your risk of cardiovascular disease and support a healthy immune response. Although the best sources of omega-3 fatty acids are oily fish such as salmon, mackerel, and sardines, non-fish food options include flaxseed, flaxseed oil, and walnuts.
Ginger and rosemary have been shown to support the healthy metabolism of inflammatory chemicals.
Turmeric extract inhibits the activities of a wide range of enzymes implicated in pain and inflammation.
Rice protein has been shown to have a lower allergy potential than other protein sources, making it a safer alternative.
You can also minimize chronic inflammation by eating a healthier diet (including more vegetables and nutrient-dense superfoods) and getting regular, moderate exercise. Both will reduce the amount of fat in your body, which research suggests may incite the inflammatory response.

By Cindy Clayton-Sudalnik, D.C.

The Most Powerful Natural Antioxidant You May Never Have Heard Of

Antioxidants can play an important role in reducing inflammation in the body. Antioxidants help to counteract oxidative stress. They neutralize excess free radicals to protect cells, prevent illness, and reduce inflammation.

The most powerful natural antioxidant discovered to date is Hydroxytyrosol.

Hydroxytyrosol has an ORAC value (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity – its ability to absorb cell damaging free radicals) of 68,576 – which is considered to be 15 times higher than green tea and 3 times greater than CoQ10. It is recognized by scientists, because of numerous, well documented studies, for its powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effectiveness.

Hydroxytyrosol has the highest level of free radical absorption ever reported for a natural antioxidant. It has some very special characteristics that contribute to its effectiveness. It is:

* Rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream and tissues where it can perform its free radical scavenging duties

* The only phenol (organic compound) that is able to cross the blood-brain barrier, which allows it to absorb free radicals throughout the central nervous system

* Both fat and water soluble, giving it the highest bioavailability of any antioxidant.

The Science Behind Hydroxytyrosol

In numerous human, animal and in vitro (test tube) studies, Hydroxytyrosol has been shown to:

* Reduce markers/indicators of inflammation

* Support healthy mitochondrial function and significantly increase ATP (a molecule that carries energy within cells) energy production

* Promote significant and rapid reduction of LDL (bad cholesterol)

* Boost eye health and reduce risk of macular degeneration

* Have a therapeutic effect on the heart and cardiovascular system.

Inflammation Relief is totally natural and derived from the juice of fresh organic olives (Olea europaea). Each capsule of Inflammation Relief delivers a high concentration of polyphenols (Hydroxytyrosol) and oleic acid and sets a new standard for a true bioavailable anti-inflammatory natural formula.

In addition, the olive polyphenols in Inflammation Relief deliver one of the highest levels of free radical scavenging activity against the damaging effects of free radicals on cells and body tissues. One capsule contains as much antioxidant polyphenols as 8 to 12 ounces of extra virgin olive oil but without the calories.

Inflammation Relief is a proprietary formula exclusive to Qgenics. At the core of this exclusive formulation is Cellinfusion™ Technology which provides 3.4 times greater absorption giving maximum bioavailability and potency of the olive phenol extract at the cellular level to achieve results.

Find out more and Order Inflammation Relief

Sleeplessness?

Sleep seemst to be a problem to a lot of people, I see so many ads from different sleep supplements - unfortunately a lot of them have melatonin or valerian root or other herbs to calm you down or knock you out.

Here is the article on Sleeplessness. If it is your adrenls, there is a good remedy. There is a test you can do yourself to find out.

If not, there is a "Sleep Lotion" and soothes with just the right things.

Read Sleeplessness

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