Brain longevity and better brain function

Elevated levels of homocysteine in the blood predispose one to arteriosclerosis and stroke.

by Brenda Haas-Krieger — 

It is possible to combat brain aging, impact Alzheimer’s and even enhance cognitive function, as Dharma Singh Khalsa, M.D., wrote in his 1999 book Brain Longevity. The brain is flesh and blood like the rest of the body and will respond to measures we take to strengthen it.

Dr. William Grant discovered that the countries with the highest intake of total calories and fat also have the greatest incidence of cognitive decline. He also found that adding salmon/tuna and whole grains to the diet help limit the destructive effects of the fat. Essential fatty acids are food for the brain. It used to be that every day parents fed their children cod liver oil, which was rich in fatty acids, as well as vitamins D and A. But today’s processed foods are a poor source of these critical nutrients.

An array of vitamins helps our brain cells create energy, especially the family of B vitamins. A dose of 2,000 IU of vitamin E has been shown to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s. Coenzyme Q-10 is also very neuroprotective. Many long-term studies have shown that ginkgo biloba can also assist, and it is relatively inexpensive.

Exercise and physical activity have been proven to go a long way toward prevention and reversal of cognitive malfunction, spawning the frequently quoted statement, “What is good for the heart is good for the brain.” The brain needs oxygen for fuel; exercise provides that while giving the arteries and heart a workout to keep them flexible.

If you want robust brain function, then avoid the excitotoxins, such as glutamate, monosodium glutamate (MSG) and aspartate (NutraSweet). Excitotoxins are neurotransmitters that can cause cell death when their actions are prolonged. Also avoid high levels of homocysteine, an amino acid that can act as an excitotoxin.

Elevated levels of homocysteine in the blood predispose one to arteriosclerosis and stroke. You may have elevated homocysteine levels (over 7) if you eat cooked red meat, hydrogenated oils and food generally deficient in systemic enzymes and nutrients.

Many people are deficient in folic acid and other B vitamins, which help break down homocysteine in the body. Omega 3s, reservatrol, TMG (trimethylglycine) and SOD (superoxide dismutase) will all assist in lowering the levels of homocysteine.

Infection is the primary driving force in most chronic neurodegenerative disease. When inflammatory markers are measured, many people are found to have chronic, low level infections. This situation is credited to the consumption of hydrogenated oils that can weaken cellular membranes, to fewer natural antioxidants in the diet and to the stockpiling of heavy metals in our bodies.

Heavy metals have polluted our landscape. Our food and water are contaminated with aluminum, fluoride compounds, organophosphate pesticide residues and mercury. Many of these metals reduce brain function. They also seem to have a synergistic effect when combined — meaning the sum total of the damage they can do is greater than what any one alone would do.

A healthy diet, proper supplementation and exercise are great tools for keeping your brain healthy and vital.

Another tool is the SCIO Biofeedback — an effective, noninvasive device to determine which stressors (toxins and infections) are in the body. From this, an individual detoxification protocol can be developed to maintain and reverse neurodegeneration.

Brenda Haas-Krieger M.S., D.D., has a Masters in Environmental Health from the College of Medicine at the University of Cincinnati. She works with BeamRay frequencies based on Dr. Rife and SCIO (formerly QXCI). 480-314-0065 or www.innerfocus.net.

Reprinted from AzNetNews, Volume 29, Number 3, June/July 2010.