Brain Health
Just in time for the holidays, the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease published some encouraging news: Minor dietary changes could reduce the decline of fluid intelligence as we age! The impact of healthy eating choices such as the Mediterranean diet on brain function has been well researched. While this concept is firmly established, there is still… read more
Its time for semester finals and students are scrambling for a brain boost. Chocolate to the rescue! A new scientific report published in Nature reveals the positive impact of flavanols on cerebral blood flow and cognitive function. Scientists worked with young adults to evaluate the interaction of cocoa flavanols in the brain. What they discovered… read more
Kids and adults alike need to be more aware of concussion signs and symptoms, and effective interventions for treatment. Despite COVID-19 modifications, many high-impact sports such as football, soccer, and hockey are gearing up for fall and winter games. A tackle on the football field can often lead to an unreported concussion, with symptoms not… read more
Obesity and increased body mass index (BMI) is associated with a myriad of health problems including diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension. Recent research published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease confirmed a correlation between higher BMI and decreased brain activity and blood flow. This diminished cerebral perfusion can result in cognitive and psychological deficits including… read more
The media has been full of stories on unhealthy repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic, including a rise in the purchase of alcoholic beverages. Obviously we all agree that overindulging in alcohol is harmful for body and brain. Yet is a glass of wine after a stressful day altogether a bad thing? New research published by… read more
New research published in BMC Neuroscience revealed that antibiotic treatment during the early life of mice caused neurotransmitter impairment. The antibiotics changed animal microbiome which then created a reduction in the receptors that impact frontal cortex function. These changes in the mice brains decreased social behavior and diminished pain receptors. Obviously these findings do not… read more
Can’t find your keys? Forgot to attend that virtual meeting? Overwhelmed with the plethora of emails from your child’s school? These uncertain times can translate into chronic and acute stress. Our brains suffer from the ongoing onslaught of anxiety and memory is often the first to go. However, exercise is a quick trick that can… read more
If you are like most people, this season of quarantine has brought significant lifestyle changes. Working and schooling at home allow for snack-time at all hours of the day (or night!), the gym is closed for that early-morning workout, and economic stresses translate to cheaper and typically less-healthy grocery options. Thus the “Quarantine-15”… gradual weight-gain,… read more
It’s the newest science-supported motive: exercise boosts physical fitness AND mental fitness. But how much, how intense, how does it change as we age, and the big question: how does it correlate to the current coronavirus epidemic? In a May publication of Redox Biology, scientists evaluated the impact of exercise on extracellular superoxide dismutase (EcSOD).… read more
It’s after 7PM and I’m tossing spaghetti sauce into a pot of pasta. Green beans bubble on the stove, the salad is ready to go, and I holler “dinner time!” to the kids. I’ve been trying to ignore the bickering going on in the next room, but suddenly tempers flare and a scream breaks the… read more
Research on age-related dementia continues to accelerate as our US population grows ever more top-heavy. According to the US Census Bureau, within the next 15 years there will be more older adults than kids for the first time in our country’s history. Learning how to improve the quality of our aging years has never been… read more
(Back by popular demand…re-post from 1 year ago!) It was the evening of January 1st when my oldest son garnered the family’s attention at the dinner table. “It’s New Year’s Day,” he announced with a dramatic flair, “and I’ve got something important to tell you all.” While his tone was serious, I detected a twinkle… read more
