Tag: Alzheimers

Dr. Oz: 5 Step Plan to Prevent Alzheimer’s!

On By Barbara StroudIn HEALTHLeave a comment

Everyone hates to hear those dreaded words… Alzheimer’s Disease. UGH. You would make a few changes in your life to help prevent it, wouldn’t you? Well, the infamous Doctor Oz has a five step plan that certainly can’t hurt!

Read the full article from DoctorOz.com :

I will give you a quick summary, but you WILL want to read the entire article, it’s not too long, and explanations help you understand HOW important these five steps truly are!

STEP 1: DHA 600MG:  Studies show that 600mg of DHA (an Omega-3) for 6 months boosts your brain so much that it functions as though it were 3 years younger! So, if you are taking fish oil, read the back of your supplement, see the DHA amount listed? You want to get 600mg a day!

STEP 2: Brain Boosting Switch ups: The older we get the more we do things the same. We eat, write, dial, hold a coffee cup, all with the same hand. If right handed start using your left hand for periods of time (and if you’re left handed use your right hand), you will be amazed how your brain actually needs to process what you’re doing… it’s not as quick and easy as with your dominant hand! Write words backwards, that’s another challenge!

STEP 3: BREATH! The 7-7-7-Stress Busting Breath: Stress is deadly for your brain… it’s like poison for the part of your brain responsible for memory. Stress can lead to high cortisol levels which can cause brain cell dysfunction, kill brain cells and make the brain actually shrink. Don’t roll your eyes dad… everyone should do this, whether you feel stress or not, spend some time each day doing the 7-7-7 breathing… Stress is like poison for your hippocampus – the part of brain responsible for memory – as it leads to chronically high levels of the hormone cortisol. High cortisol levels can cause brain cell dysfunction, kill brain cells, and cause atrophy of the brain.

STEP 4: Tease your memory: Did you realize you have the ability to memorize 20-30 items on a list? Start making a list and try to memorize…

STEP 5: Brain push ups: 7 push ups a day will help stimulate blood flow to your brain and generate new brain cells. 7 PUSHUPS A DAY. I say you hop up and give me 7! Hee…

Read the entire article it’s short and to the point, THANK YOU DOCTOR OZ!

I would like to thank Bobbie Stroud for forwarding me this Dr. Oz email… you are now a contributing editor, hee hee… Catch you back here tomorrow!

Featured Artist… Nancy Colella!

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Featured Artist2 Comments

“Glorius Fall” by Nancy Colella

Facebook. It’s an amazing way to discover new artists… I’m thrilled to have found artist Nancy Colella! She’s wonderfully talented. Her paintings are happy… you can tell that she’s studied from some of the greats… such as Charles Sovek, Tim Horn and Colin Page (among others!). Those three are just amazing to me and Nancy has that same ‘amazingness’. You must check out her work, it’s brilliant! Fresh, colorful, different and LOOSE! I love “Glorious Fall” (pictured above), I love the contrast! It really stands out, this painting won Honorable Mention at the Duxbury (MA) Art Association Winter Juried Show! In addition to Nancy’s wonderful website she maintains two blogs, both are fabulous, one is SIMPLY PAINTING, it’s a journal of sorts, including her paintings and wonderful stories as well as great bits of information, I’m thrilled to have found it! Another blog entitled PATIENCE WITH PATIENTS just warms my heart to no end. Here’s Nancy’s description:

A year ago, I was asked if I’d like to give “art” lessons to Alzheimer patients. I am not an art therapist and have no experience with Alzheimer’s patients, but I strongly believe “art” opens doors, in some way, for everyone. I took this on as a challenge and started this blog with the hope that sharing my journey would help care givers and family members use “art” to open new doors of communication. 

Talk about amazing! You can see how her art lessons open doors, lets their creativity rein free… I couldn’t help thinking if I were in their position how much an art lesson would mean to me… it would definitely be the bright spot in the day! I think it’s fabulous that Nancy makes the effort because it clearly makes a difference in so many people’s lives… hmmm, a lesson we can all learn from? What can you do to help make someone’s day/week/month better?

A blip about the artist from her website… “Glorius Fall” by Nancy Colella / Image from artist’s website

About the Artist

Nancy was a painting major at Muskingum College and graduated with a BA in Art Education, then continued her studies at the Aegean School of Fine Arts in Paros, Greece and at the Instituto de Allende in San Miquel Mexico. After a career in the Hospitality business and while raising her two children, she began studying again at Mass College of Art in Boston, MA and at the North River Arts Society in Marshfield Hills, MA. She has studied with numerous contemporary impressionist painters; Charles Sovek, Peggi Kroll Roberts, Ken Auster, Kim English, Colin Page, Carol Marine and Karin Jurick, to name a few. She is a gallery artist and faculty member at the South Shore Art Center in Cohasset, MA and a member artist at the Copley Societyin Boston. She exhibits regularly in her gallery/ studio where visitors are welcomed.

One more because I just love it… This painting reminds me so much of Charles Sovek and his wonderful work! (All images from artists website):

Your art is amazing Nancy! Catch you back here tomorrow!

Coconut Oil… what’s looking to be a very healthy oil that doesn’t get stored in the body as fat!

On By Barbara StroudIn FOOD, HEALTH, HOMELeave a comment

Image: Amazon

Coconut Oil… have you heard the rave reviews about all the wonderful things it can do? From what I’ve read this past weekend it can aid in losing weight, help prevent or even help those with Alzheimer’s, moisturize skin and hair, increase HDL (good cholesterol), decrease LDL (bad cholesterol), decrease triglycerides, the list goes on and on. We’ll have to wait for long term studies, but for me, I’m jumping on the bandwagon, and taking 1 tablespoon a day. It can’t hurt. Let me know if you’ve tried it. WHY are YOU taking it?  HOW are you taking it? I tried eating it off the spoon (it’s like lard), that was a little difficult, so I heat it ever so slightly and swallow… a tablespoon is doable, I personally chase it with a Triple Ginger Cookie from Trader Joe’s :) some people but it on toast, in coffee, in oatmeal, in smoothie’s, use it as oil and topping when making popcorn… AND the reason I bumped into the health benefits about coconut oil was because I saw a recipe for Double Coconut Muffins on the Smittin Kitchen website… whoa, they sounded good, and I had just spoken to my mom who told me about a video that someone just told her about (click HERE to see it) about how it’s helping Alzheimer’s Disease, and also helping to prevent. I’m sure long term studies are a ways off, but if you have a family history of Alzheimer’s you know how devastating it can be. I vowed to try this, it’s worth it to me… so now, I think everyone I know is taking this for one reason or another. I just didn’t want you to be left out of the loop!

Google Coconut Oil  and you will see so much information it will make your head spin. Try to read from reputable sources and realize that anyone can post anything to the Internet… From what I’ve read, you should buy VIRGIN coconut oil. Ideally Organic virgin (or extra virgin) coconut oil. UNREFINED, since they alter the makeup of the oil when it’s refined. Refined is good for using as a moisturizer for skin and hair. One more thing… you can often find it in the grocery store in the baking aisle, however, often times these are NOT the virgin organic varieties… those are mostly found in the health aisle… ask if you are unsure. Read HERE the Health Benefits of Coconut Oil by Charles Mattock, I got this from Dr. Oz’s website…

Here is a blip from Nutiva (extracted from Amazon):

A deliciously healthy cooking oil. Better than butter. USDA organic. Unrefined & no trans fats. Rich in lauric acid. A soothing body oil. The coconut oil myth. Coconut oil has been mistakenly described as not healthy. The fact is, coconut oil is cholesterol-free and rich in medium-chain good fats that doctors recommend. Why is it that baby formulas often include coconut oil? Because coconut is one of the world’s most nourishing super foods. Nutritionists suggest enjoying up to 3 tbsp of extra-virgin coconut oil each day, so help yourself to this heavenly, creamy taste of the tropics. Nutiva’s cold-pressed Coconut Oil is: Extra-virgin & pure white: not refined, deodorized or bleached! Organic: so it’s free from pesticides, GMOs and hexane. Versatile: Ideal as high-heat cooking oil (up to 350 degrees), as a nutritious substitute in baking, a better-than-butter replacement on bread, vegetables or popcorn, and as a luscious oil for skin care, hair care, and massage. America needs an oil change. While doctors suggest we consume a 4:1 ratio of Omega-6 to Omega-3, the average American diet provides a ratio of 20:1 or more – contributing to heart disease, skin disorders, and arterial inflammation. So avoid out of balance soy, corn, and canola oils with their trans fats, oxidation, and GMOs. Cook with coconut oil (with only 1% Omega-6), and use olive oil (also low in Omega-6), and hemp oil (with the perfect 3:1 Omega ratio) for unheated recipes. Nature’s ideal all-purpose cooking oil. No trans or hydrogenated fat; no cholesterol or hexane. Unlike other brands, we press our coconuts within 2 hours of chopping. No refrigeration required. Solid at room temperature and melts at 76 degrees. Any coconut husk fibers at the bottom of the jar are indigenous to the processing and harmless. Coconut oil contains medium-chain good fats with 50-55% lauric acid – a healthful nutrient that supports the metabolism. Certified organic by QAI. Product of the Philippines.

A disclaimer… I in no way am trying to provide medical advice, only passing along what many others have told me. Ask your doctor if you need to know if this is OK for you…

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Keeping your memory sharp – a game!

On By Barbara StroudIn HEALTH, THOUGHTSLeave a comment
Image: DoctorOz.com 

Who doesn’t love Doctor Oz? I appreciate his information, and there’s tons of it! If Alzheimer’s is a concern for you, I highly suggest you visit his website, there are amazing video’s, tests you can take if you suspect you may have Alzheimer’s as well as plenty of suggestions to help PREVENT it from occurring in the first place! One of his suggestions to PREVENT it in the first place is to not only exercise your body, but EXERCISE YOUR MIND. Click HERE to go to Doctor Oz’s website where you can easily print this game above.

From DoctorOz.com: Studies have shown that keeping your brain challenged and engaged can actually help to prevent Alzheimer’s. Try games like crossword puzzes that work both the visual and language areas of your brain while combining decision-making and motor coordination. You can also try brain games like the card above. As fast as you can, read out loud the color that each word itself is printed in – not the word itself.

Whoa, that’s a challenge. Do things that are foreign to you, drive a new route to work, learn another language, learn another type of puzzle if you’ve mastered the sudoku or crossword. Learn to knit, crotchet, paint, play the piano, the possibilities are endless. What we don’t want to do is sit in front of the TV and become zombies.

Keep this little puzzle handy, use it until it becomes easy and fast, then move on to something else!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Eat for a better memory… the conclusion…

On By Barbara StroudIn FOOD, HEALTHLeave a comment
Image: Rd.com

I mentioned last week that I ran across a great article from Reader’s Digest magazine.EAT FOR A BETTER MEMORY – 7 WAYS TO GET SHARP. A great article from a great magazine. Today we’re going to finish off the list… From Reader’s Digest:

Make time for a good breakfast. A Toronto study found breakfast helped men and women, ages 61 to 79, score better on memory tests. And when kids eat a morning meal, their exam scores improve.

Toast to a sharper mind with Merlot. Or any beer or wine for that matter. A study of 746 adults found that those who drank one to six alcoholic beverages a week were 54 percent less likely than abstainers to develop dementia over six years. That’s no license to go crazy though… the same study determined 14 or more drinks weekly increased the risk of dementia by 22 percent. [Note: this is a tricky one, for every one study that says alcohol is good, two say that it is bad… ugh.]

Brew a cup of sage tea. Sage oil has been shown by some studies to boost acetylcholine levels in the brain, improving memory function. As a tea, it also aids digestion.

Have curry with dinner tonight. An Italian study found that curry may ward off memory loss and Alzheimer’s. The seasoning is thought to enhance an enzyme that protects the brain against oxidative damage.

A nice whole grain waffle, or some oatmeal with blueberries for breakfast. A glass of wine or beer (not to exceed one drink/day otherwise you up the chances… and if you aren’t already one who consumes alcohol based on other studies it’s probably best not to start just for this reason… keep your mind active), and brew a cup of nice sage tea… most of all USE IT… constantly try to figure out new things, drive different routes to routine places, meet new people, take an art class, write, volunteer, the possibilities are endless!

The previous foods were BLUEBERRIES, COFFEE (caffeinated, for those who can handle it) and FISH.

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Eat for a better memory – 7 ways to stay sharp, would you like a cup of joe?

On By Barbara StroudIn HEALTHLeave a comment
Image: Rd.com

I mentioned last week that I ran across a great article from Reader’s Digest magazine. EAT FOR A BETTER MEMORY – 7 WAYS TO GET SHARP. A great article from a great magazine!  Today’s food is… COFFEE! YAY! From Reader’s Digest:

Sip some coffee for triple benefit. 

Coffee has been shown to improve memory, reasoning and reaction time in older folks.

Good news for lifetime coffee drinkers: Long term consumption’s

been linked to a lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.

Finally a good reason to have a cup of coffee in the morning! I am excited about grabbing my morning cup of coffee and sitting with the newspaper. It’s my favorite time of day. It’s my meditation time…

After doing a little research on coffee and Alzheimers it appears that YES, the coffee has to be caffeinated, and for some of us that simply isn’t possible, but if you are one of the people that can drink regular coffee by all means!  An article I read from http://www.alzheimerspreventiondigest.com had this to say:

Your morning cup of coffee may protect you from a variety of diseases, from Alzheimer’s to diabetes to Parkinson’s. Several studies have suggested that regular consumption of caffeine reduces the risk of Alzheimer’s and dementia.

But there is a catch, it seems. A cup or two are not enough to produce the optimum benefits, according to Dr. Gary Arendash, a leading Alzheimer’s researcher who has been studying the effects of caffeine on the brain. He says 500 milligrams of caffeine – equal to five cups of coffee – seems to be the amount necessary to produce a protective effect. According to Arendash, “I drink five to six cups a day religiously.”

Read the full article HERE – a few tips from that article:

COFFEE DRINKING TIPS

  • Drink it black. You’ll get more health benefits from coffee if you skip the additives. Okay, I know some of you can’t imagine anything other than a Grande caramel macchiato, but just try it plain!
  • Drink it early. Most folks find drinking coffee later in the day can keep them up at night. Find your “cut off point” and skip the coffee after that time to avoid insomnia.
  • Drink it fresh. To maximize the flavor and prevent oxidation and loss of nutrients, coffee is best when fresh-ground.
  • Drink it in moderation. Sure, the experts say you’ll get the most benefits from 5 or so cups a day, but listen to your body. You may need to keep your coffee consumption at a lower level to feel your best. Coffee may cause digestive problems, jitters or insomnia in certain people, so cut back if you have any side effects. Doctors also recommend that if you’re pregnant or being treated for some medical conditions, such as high blood pressure, it’s best to avoid or restrict caffeine.

Don’t forget that tea also contains caffeine (A cup of black tea has about half as much caffeine as a cup of coffee and a cup of green tea has about a quarter as much) and other beneficial compounds, and is less likely to produce side effects.

OK, last week was BLUEBERRIES, hope you are getting your fill! Today is COFFEE, wonder what it will be next week? Catch you back here tomorrow!

Eat for a better memory… 7 Ways to get sharp, and WHO doesn’t need this?

On By Barbara StroudIn HEALTHLeave a comment
Image: rd.com

I ran across a great article from Reader’s Digest magazine. You know, that oh so conveniently sized magazine that easily slips into your purse in case you get stuck somewhere and need something to read!? Some of us don’t want to constantly look at our phones. I prefer the actual paper magazine… same with books, but that’s me. Reader’s Digest has fantastic articles, one being EAT FOR A BETTER MEMORY – 7 WAYS TO GET SHARP. I would like to know anyone who doesn’t need to know this information. None of us wants to suffer mental decline. It happens to the best of us, it’s part of aging, BUT there ARE things you can do to become “sharper”… From Reader’s Digest:

Boost brainpower with blueberries. 

Studies have shown blueberries help prevent and reverse age-related memory loss.

Did you read that… PREVENT and REVERSE?!!!

When I looked into this further there was a study that included blueberries, but a few other things I thought I would share… From ABCnews.com

Scientists published a study adding more fuel to the growing belief that exercise boosts brain health. She said research has long shown that exercise is beneficial for brain function and memory – this study helps show why.

John Grohol, a clinical psychologist and founder of the online mental health resource PsychCentral.com, said that exercise is one of the best things you can do to keep your brain healthy. “This study just adds to the evidence that physical activity can enhance and keep our brains healthy,” he said.

Regarding blueberries… here’s what they had to say:

This week, scientists published research suggesting that antioxidant-rich blueberries could improve memory in older adults.

The study, involving scientists from the University of Cincinnati, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the Canadian Department of Agriculture, included volunteers in their 70s. One group drank the equivalent of 2 to 2.5 cups of blueberry juice every day for two months. The control group drank a blueberry-less juice.

The scientists said the group that drank blueberry juice demonstrated improvement on memory and learning tests. “These preliminary memory findings are encouraging and suggest that consistent supplementation with blueberries may offer an approach to forestall or mitigate neurodegeneration,” the report said.

Diet – A study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences in January 2009 found a definite link between caloric restriction and mental function.

Meditation – “People who meditate, research has shown, have a better ability to cultivate positive emotions,” Grohol said. “In doing so, they help maintain their own emotional stability which helps with overall well–being and brain health.”

In May, Psychological Science published a study indicating that a certain type of meditation may help the brain hold on to images for short periods.

New Experiences – “The brain seems to really benefit from novelty and new experiences,” said Grohol. But instead of paying money for so-called brain games that may or may not be effective, Grohol suggests people can just do crossword puzzles or play Sudoku games. Learning new languages and other similar pursuits are also good for the brain.

So have a bowl of oatmeal with blueberries on it (I never thought that sounded good until I tried it and ohmygosh!!!), take a walk or jog around the block, learn something new and then sit down and meditate.

That’s a lot to absorb, but every little change we make can help, right?! Ok, instead of talking the talk, I’m going to walk the walk… headed to make some oatmeal & blueberries now!

Catch you back here tomorrow, and again next Thursday for the next installment on foods to eat to stay sharp!