AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE AND ALZHEIMER’S

Everyone believes dementia is only an “old folks disease”. But is that right? Actually dementia can occur at any age. So why does it have this aging label? Perhaps because a weakened immune system and development of dementia are very closely tied! And most autoimmune diseases develop over a lifetime of making poor diet choices.

According to the American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association (AARDA) autoimmune disease affects up to 50 million, or 15% of Americans. And there are as many as 80 types of autoimmune diseases. Some of the most commonly known autoimmune conditions are allergies, asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, Epstein-Barr, hypo/hyper thyroidism, and multiple sclerosis.

Autoimmune diseases often run in families, and 75% of those affected are women. African Americans, Hispanics, and Native Americans also have an increased risk.

                                     

An autoimmune disease develops when your immune system, which normally defends your body against disease, decides your healthy cells are foreign and starts to attack them. Depending on the type, an autoimmune disease can affect one or many different areas of the body.

WHAT DOES AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE
HAVE TO DO WITH MY MEMORY?

               

Well, in a recent joint epidemiology research study of more than 100,000 participants, the same neuritic plaques and neurofibrillary tangles were found in these participants post-mortem as in those who suffered from Alzheimer's disease.

In other words, there is a definite "genetic overlap between Alzheimer's Disease and immune-mediated diseases such as Diabetes" and that "immune system processes influence Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis and progression".

(Click for Complete Study)

These findings strongly suggest that immune system processes influence Alzheimer's Disease pathogenesis and progression.

                             

PREVENTATIVE STEPS ARE KEY

The most important thing we can do is avoid inflammation before it starts to affect the immune system. Wouldn’t you rather feel healthy and strong versus rundown and sick? Here are 7 tips to get you started:

#1 Gluten – You hear a lot of controversy that gluten sensitivity or intolerance is all hype. However, research continues to indicate that it is problematic for our digestive system and our brain. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, spelt, oats, barley and rye. Historically these grains were processed very differently, and the inflammatory nature of gluten more gentle; however, today’s processed grains are highly inflammatory and a key contributor to immune problems. And unfortunately, foods containing gluten are eaten at nearly every mealtime by most Americans.

#2 Sugar - Sugar dysregulation, or insulin resistance, is one of the most common causes of digestive issues, wreaking havoc on the immune system and potentially triggering autoimmune disease. The more sugars and refined carbohydrates you consume, the faster your blood sugar rises.

In response, your body pumps out large amounts of insulin to help move the sugar into cells, promoting fat storage, high blood pressure, and increased cholesterol and triglycerides levels.

Blood sugar imbalances also contribute to leaky gut syndrome, a perforation in the lining of the digestive tract whereby food particles can leech into the bloodstream and cause severe inflammation.

Constantly spiking blood insulin levels creates a chronic condition and adds to an already weakened immunity and inability to regulate our blood insulin levels.

#3 Dairy - The milk protein casein, found in all dairy products, can inflame the digestive tract. And for a large percentage of adults, the dairy sugar lactose can also cause digestive inflammation. Once we are no longer babies we lack intestinal lactase which is required to digest lactose.

Either can trigger autoimmune disease – and most of us are completely unaware this inflammation is happening. Therefore, look for symptoms of gas, bloating, and constipation as an indication that it is best to completely remove dairy from your diet. 

#4 Hydrolyzed Oils - Autoimmune diseases are aggravated by consumption of hydrogenated vegetable oils. Vegetable oils are hydrogenated, meaning they are treated with hydrogen simply to prolong shelf life in processed foods. 

Numerous research studies have proven that eating a diet filled with these processed foods is directly linked to numerous illnesses, including heart disease and strokes.

#5 Stress – Although clearly not a nutritional issue, one cannot overlook the importance of stress. And often stress can be tied to what we eat . . . oooooh those comfort foods!

Constant or chronic stress reduces the effectiveness of cortisol in regulating our inflammatory response, causing our immune system to become insensitive to cortisol’s regulatory effect.

KEEPING YOUR BRAIN HEALTHY IS THE ANSWER

As much as we hate to hear it, your food choices today will determine how healthy your memory will be tomorrow. As early as in your 40's you can start to see your focus and thinking start to slip.

A quick stop at McDonald's or ordering a pizza tonight may seem innocent enough. But those decisions, compounded week after week, will decide your future!

Source: 
Immune-Mediated Diseases and Alzheimer Disease Study

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Are You in Denial? 

According to a new WebMD-Shriver Report Snapshot: Insight into Alzheimer’s Attitudes and Behaviors, many of us have conflicting attitudes about Alzheimer’s disease. 

(The only disease in the Top 10 Causes of Death in America that cannot be prevented or cured).

It appears that fear and misconceptions about the risk and prevention of Alzheimer’s disease stop most Americans from taking action. Check out this great article on the study's findings:

(LINK TO ARTICLE - CLICK HERE)

The study found that even when there is a long family or genetic presence of dementia in brothers or sisters, parents or grandparents we want to close our eyes. 

Yet, dementia can strike at any age. And the steps to prevent Alzheimer’s or to plan for the potential financial burden either as patient or caregiver are manageable if you act in time.

We feared my husband was headed down the dementia path and worried Alzheimer's was going to move into our lives soon. Rather than wait, we took action.

First we found a micronutrient supplement that targets brain health. Within 3 weeks he started to show improvement. We also learned about the role sugars, gluten and probiotics play in the development of this devastating disease. (Look for our blog on these three key factors in the near future.)

Next we researched local specialists and programs available in the Phoenix area. Thankfully we found Banner's Alzheimer's Institute, and D. Garrett Riggs, PhD, MD, with its cutting edge research and treatments--and where we worked together to rule out possible medical contributors such as sleep apnea, diabetes, heart disease or lung issues. 

Then last week my husband went through an extensive memory evaluation by Dr. Julie Alberty, PhD. We were absolutely thrilled to learn he does not yet have dementia. My husband was diagnosed with Mild Amnestic Cognitive Impairment which may or may not develop into dementia.

We still have time to take action!!! 

There are still important additional lifestyle changes we can implement.

So don't wait. 

Your choice to take action could create a very different tomorrow.

Source: "Alzheimer's Attitudes and Behaviors" by Maria Shriver

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Memory Loss Occurs At Any Age

Memory loss only happens when you get old, right? Think again! A 2015 UCLA study found it occurs across all age groups about the same! 

• 26% in older adults
• 22 % in middle-aged
• 14 % in young adults

That is because it is a disease just like obesity, diabetes or cancer. It starts building silently and early and can pop up at any age. 

But you can preserve mental function and protect against cognitive decline. And just like obesity, diabetes and cancer, you can take steps to keep your brain healthy and ward off dementia now. 

Here are 3 simple steps to add your daily routine. 

Get 30 minutes of physical activity per day  Regular physical exercise, specifically aerobic exercise such as walking at a quick pace, can help slow memory loss and improve mental function.

Develop healthy habits in all aspects of life  Not smoking, drinking only in moderation, staying socially involved, managing stress, getting adequate rest, and cultivating a positive attitude and outlook have all been associated with a lowered risk of Alzheimer's. Getting key vitamins, minerals, and amino acids are also key in maintaining a healthy brain. 

Keep an active mind  "Use it or lose it" applies to mental as well as physical health. Enjoy crossword puzzles, mind games, challenging reading, and take educational classes.

The UCLA research group, in collaboration with the RAND Corporation, also reviewed epidemiological studies that connect healthy lifestyle behaviors and the risk of developing Alzheimer’s. 

This study concluded if everyone in the United States adopted just one Alzheimer’s prevention lifestyle behavior, within 5 years we could have 1 million fewer cases of Alzheimer’s disease! And they found that combining these strategies creates a strong synergy and greater impact than doing just one or two alone. 

We have the ability to delay the onset of Alzheimer’s by the simple daily choices we make!

Source: 

http://newsroom.ucla.edu/stories/10-questions-alzheimer-s-expert-228191Strong Brain 365 on Facebook
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Mental Fountain of Youth

Did you know you can exercise your brain with your feet?
And you can think and feel younger too!

Staying physically fit not only keeps your body strong, flexible and resilient. We now know it does the same thing for your brain. 

Research recently linked cardiovascular fitness to both long-term memory and executive function — the part of your brain that helps you reason, plan and prioritize. 

While testing a group of older men for attention and quick decision-making, scientists mapped their brain activity and found brains of the most aerobically fit functioned most like those of younger men. 

Choose any favorite moderate-intensity activity — walking, swimming, dancing or biking — for only a half an hour on most days of the week. And remember! Keep it fresh - variety is the spice of life.

Tip: schedule exercise the way you plan any important gathering, celebration or meeting. Block the time right on your calendar every day. 

Invest in your future health, below the shoulders and above!

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Pain and Your Brain

“Pain is such an uncomfortable feeling that even a tiny amount of it is enough to ruin every enjoyment.” ~ Will Rogers

No one wants pain. It can stop you dead in your tracks!

That ache in your shoulder, the pain in your back, or a constant headache are more than simple annoyances. In fact, pain, especially chronic pain, is a major problem that can steal your zest for life.

Chronic pain, or even temporary pain, quickly depletes our brain and body of essential neurotransmitters as it strives to produce endorphins to dull the pain. Chronic pain can also lead to depression and other serious problems.  

Most standard pain treatments have drawbacks and overuse can lead to addiction, intestinal bleeding, and kidney failure. 

Injections and surgeries only add to the burden. 

A New Approach to Pain

Having a quick and easy pain solution can be invaluable in many ways. And there's a new pain relief kid on the block. Q Relief helps calm frayed nerve endings and stimulates production of nerve-blocking chemicals that can put out the pain fire.

Q Relief is a potent, reliable combination of herbal extracts and key pain-modulating amino acids that can be used as needed for pain ranging from mild to acute to chronic pain relief. Q Relief utilizes our cutting-edge sublingual spray delivery system for quick absorption and fast and effective pain relief. 

• Helps relieve mild, acute and chronic pain
• Reduces pain responses in peripheral nerves and brain
• Stimulates the production of nerve-blocking chemicals
• Calms inflammation

What’s in Q Relief?

GABA: (gamma-aminobutyric): An amino acid with a track record of treating both pain and anxiety.

Boswellia: Derived from the Frankincense herb, boswellia inhibits inflammation and reduces associated pain.

Cucurmin: Derived from the herb turmeric and known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Devil’s Claw: A fascinating herb shown to have significant pain relieving properties comparable to anti-inflammatory medications.

Skullcap: Used for centuries for its calming and pain-relieving effects on both 
the nerves and the brain.

White Willow Bark: Contains salicin, an anti-inflammatory substance related to salicylic acid in aspirin but does not cause intestinal bleeding.

Recommended Use:  Shake gently, spray directly into month and swallow. 
8 to 16 sprays per day as needed.




Source: https://strongbrain365.myqsciences.com/Products

EXCITING LOCAL RESEARCH NEWS: ASU TO STUDY LOSS OF SMELL AND NEURODEGENERATIVE DISEASE CONNECTION

Loss of smell is thought to be a precursor to neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Huntington's. Yet this condition is poorly understood. 

But it was just announced on September 23, 2015 that the National Science Foundation has awarded Arizona State University and three partner institutions a 3-year, $3.6 million grant to study how a healthy brain creates memories of odors and what happens when affected by disease. 

This grant is one of three provided nationally, and ASU will be partnered with Harvard University, Salk Institute for Biological Studies and California Institute of Technology. 

According to Brian Smith, professor and neuroscientist with the ASU School of Life Sciences, "The opportunity . . .  to advance an understanding of how the brain represents odors. Reaching this understanding will have a broad impact in biomedicine and agriculture, as well as engineering applications."

While previous studies used synthetic odors, this research will use natural odors from honey bees and fruit flies to better understand how natural odors occur and how an organism must detect them against complex backgrounds. It hopes to link the physical structure of an odor environment to how the brain works, and could reveal new information about the neurological circuits behind our sense of smell.

This research not only has great potential in understanding and preventing these destructive cognitive disorders, it may also assist in the engineering of devices that can sniff out cancer.

SOIL DEPLETION AND MENTAL HEALTH

Most people believe mental health illness is rare and that it will never affect them. Yet, they usually have a family member or friend who suffers from depression, anxiety, ADD, OCD, PTSD, autism, bipolar, or memory loss from dementia/Alzheimer's--and it often includes anger and rage. They may also believe medication is the only solution, however, a growing body of evidence is beginning to point to one common denominator in almost all disorders. 

SURPRISING FACTS 

According to a World Health Organization (WHO) 2001 study, "approximately 25% of Americans, or about one in four over the age of 18, are diagnosed with a mental disorder per year; 8 million people suffer from depression annually; and about 12 million children under the age of 18 have mental disorders. Even worse, suicide is the third leading cause of death for those
5-24 years old and the 6th leading cause of death for 5-15 years old." (1)

Additionally, one in four veterans exposed to heavy combat binge-drink at least once a week, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, and it is reported that 22 veterans commit suicide every day.

These are unacceptable statistics. Why has the incidence of mental illness skyrocketed over the years?

SOIL DEPLETION

Coincidentally, at the 1992 WHO Summit it was reported that 85% of North America topsoil was depleted, deteriorating the nutrition of our food supply at a rapid rate. 

And according to Pimental and Young, "the changes inflicted on soil by human-induced erosion over many years are significant and have resulted in valuable land becoming unproductive." (2)

The implications are clear. The food we set on our table at each meal no longer provides the nutrition our bodies require.

NUTRITION OF THE BRAIN

Less known is the fact that the brain comprises 2% of our body weight/mass yet it demands 40-50% of our nutrition and energy intake. If we don't feed our body the nutrients it needs, our brain cannot perform properly.

IMPORTANCE OF MICRONUTRIENTS

Take a look at this short 17" important TEDx Talk discussing the link between micronutrients and brain health presented by Julia Rucklidge (PhD, CPsych, FNZPsS, MNZCCP) - Professor, Researcher, and Director of Clinical Psychology at the University of Canterbury, New Zealand. 

Surprisingly Dramatic Role of Nutrition in Mental Health

(click image to view video)

Now you know the truth. Without micronutrient supplementation it is impossible to have a well-functioning brain, and the scene is set for mental health issues to set in. 

If you are ready to build a stronger brain, start taking a high quality micronutrient supplement, like EmpowerPlusTM Q96, that contains 31 bioavailable nutrients specifically targeted for the brain TODAY! 

Take steps now so you can Love Your Life 
and think Better, Faster & Clearer!

(1)  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK20369/
(2)  Pimental, D., Harvey, C., Resosudarmo, P., Sinclair, K., Kurz, D., McNair, M., Crist, S.,
      Sphpritz, L., Fitton, L., Saffouri, R. and Blair, R.: 1995, 'Enviornmental and economic
      costs of soil erosion and conservation benefits', Science 267, 1117-1123.
      Young, A.: 1998, Land Resources: Now and for the Future, Cambridge, Cambridge
      University Press.


Source:
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