Hi,
You probably already know that exercise is good for you and for your brain power. But there are a couple of nutrients that are good for your brain also.
(Image shows disintegration of micro tubules in a patient with Alzheimer’s.
Now maybe you haven’t gone to the gym and forgotten why you are there, or what exercises to do… yet. But, forgetting little things more and more is something that many people do as they age.
Of course exercise helps and that includes specific brain exercises you can do. In fact one of the emerging sciences is how to exercise your brain to keep it in tip top shape.
There are many games and programs being developed every day.
You also probably know that eating a healthy diet will also positively affect your brain. But, there are 2 specific nutrients you can take that will help increase your brain power.
The first is Vitamin B-12. A study done in England measured the size of the brains in people between the ages of 61 and 87. They did brain scans, blood tests and memory tests.
They then did the same tests and measurements 5 years later (2008) and found less shrinkage in brain size in those with higher levels of B-12.
This wasn’t just a little less shrinkage – it was 6 times less shrinkage. Brain shrinkage (cerebral atrophy) has been linked to muscle weakness, vision problems, speech impairment and dementia.
So any way you can reduce brain shrinkage would be a good thing. You can get B-12 in meat, fish, cheese and eggs. Some fortified foods like grain products (cereals and breads) and milk also have B-12.
The second nutrient is PS or phosphatidylserine. Now you know why everyone calls it PS.
PS has been called the ultimate brain food. More than 2800 scientific papers have been written on PS and its effects on the brain. They show that PS does indeed help slow down memory loss and boosts brain power.
It has been show to help with brain cells, memory, focus, learning, mood, and stress. Many think it can slow done the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.
So where do you get PS. Well the good news is that your body manufactures it. The bad news is that as you age the manufacturing slows down.
You can buy it from most supplement companies, however most of them use vegetable sources of PS and the studies don’t really show much benefit as they do with animal sources.
Problem with animal sources is that the PS from animal brains can be infected with diseases. Ever hear of mad cow disease? So it isn’t used so much today.
As a side note, PS has also been shown to somewhat lower the effects of cortisol after heavy exercise. The theory is that you will get more of the anabolic effects of the exercise and less of the catabolic effects.
For now, I can’t recommend any PS sources and I don’t know of any ways to help increase your own manufacturing. But, things change every day.
So stay tuned to this blog and I will keep you up to date on this and other nutrients for your brain.
Thanks,
Mike Val
PS: PS is also a natural blood thinner. Some people take PS with Ginko which is also a natural blood thinner. Too much blood thinner becomes a problem, so don’t take these 2 together or with any other blood thinners you might be on. See your doctor is you have any concerns.
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