As we age our brain begins to shrink and lose its ability to make the neurotransmitters necessary for optimal mental function. The symptoms of this gradual decline vary from one person to another, but can include any of the following:
- Difficulty sleeping
- Difficulty staying focused
- Forgetting where things are
- Unexplained changes in mood
- Reduced ability to multi task
- Difficulty remembering recent events or people’s names
These initial signs of mental challenge may be dismissed as part of the “normal aging process.” But I can assure you they are not a satisfactory explanation for what is happening. These are the symptoms of a brain that has not been properly fed over many years. In fact, these may be the early signs of more serious mental challenges such as dementia, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Disease. If you do begin to experience any of these symptoms it may be very helpful to ask your doctor for a special blood panel to determine if you are starting to show any signs of biochemical changes caused by nutritional deficiencies.
Here is an assessment tool to determine if this biochemical deterioration is beginning.
Brain Health Survey
Yes or no
- ____ Do you run out of energy in the middle of the morning or afternoon or the evening on a regular basis?
- ____ Do you awaken un-refreshed or needing something to get you going in the morning like coffee, tea or a cigarette?
- ____ Do you get less than eight hours of sleep on many occasions?
- ____ Do you lose concentration or forget things more often than you would like to?
- ____ Do you become stressed too easily and more often than you would like to?
- ____ Do you experience apprehension or even fear when facing a new or unusual challenge?
- ____ Do you exercise less frequently than you think you should?
- ____ Do you eat more fast food or processed food than you probably should?
- ____ Do you use alcohol or tobacco products every day?
- ____ Do you currently take prescription medication of any kind?
- ____ Is there a history of mental challenge in your family such as dementia, Alzheimer’s Disease or Parkinson’s Disease?
- ____ Do you frequently use electronic equipment such as cell phones, portable phones, computers etc.?
- ____ Do you have fewer supportive and trustworthy friends, colleagues and family members than you would like to have?
- ____ Did you have a childhood that had more trauma and difficulty than you would have liked?
- ____ Do you have less balance in your life than you should? (work, family, play etc.)
- ____ Do you consume more sweets and sugar dense products than you should? (soft drinks, donuts, candy bars, desserts) More than one a day is too many.
- ____ Do you often feel that you lack sufficient confidence or self-esteem?
- ____ Do experience mood swings on a fairly regular basis? Almost daily.
- ____ Do you consume less brain healthy foods than you should? Whole grains, vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, legumes, eggs and cold-water fish (salmon)?
- ____ Do you experience headaches or high blood pressure more frequently than you would like? Almost daily.
(Note: This assessment tool was developed by Patrick Holford)
Analysis table: (numbers of yes answers)
1 to 5 Mild—Concentrate on improvement in your few areas of concern.
6 to 10 Moderate—Diet changes, specific supplements and natural therapies like meditation or acupuncture are probably needed.
11 to 15 High—Same steps as moderate above plus talk therapy and additional medical tests may be needed.
16 to 20 Very high—Same steps as above with the possible need for prescription medications on an interim basis. (After appropriate tests are completed.)
If your score indicates a need for more nutrients for your brain here are some quick and easy ways to start your improvement process. The first step is to begin to eat a Mediterranean Diet of whole, organic foods including omega-3 fish, range fed poultry, whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds. Drink lots of spring water and avoid red meat, dairy, sugar, processed foods and fried foods. And, while this will be a good beginning you will need to do more than simply eat a healthy diet. You will need to supplement your diet with some key nutrients in order to reach a therapeutic level of the biochemicals your body is missing. Here are the six nutrients you can use to regain the youthful brain you need to live a long, healthy and productive life.
1. Fish oil—Most people do not eat enough omega rich fish, but they can get much more to this key nutrient from a good quality supplement. Here are the scientifically proven benefits of taking 1000–1200 mg of EPA/DHA omega supplements.
- Cell membranes are preserved, which facilitates communication between brain cells.
- Fish oil helps to reduce the shrinking of the brain.
- Omega-3 oils also improve brain function for memory retention.
- The ability to learn new information is also increased.
- Existing mental challenges such as depression, anxiety and ADD/ADHD are also improved with the consumption of fish oil.
- The regular consumption of quality fish oil is known to significantly decrease the likelihood of developing dementia or Alzheimer’s later in life.
2. Vitamin D3—It has been estimated that as many as 90
percent of adults in North America may be seriously deficient
in vitamin D3. This nutrient is crucial to the development of
healthy bones and brains, as well as protecting us from cancer,
including breast and prostate cancer. Sun exposure can help
to make some vitamin D3, but probably not enough. Here are
some of the benefits of supplementing with vitamin D3.
- Deficiencies of vitamin D3 have been linked to Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s.
- Low vitamin D3 levels have been associated with an increase in cellular damage in the brain (often referred to as free radical damage).
- Vitamin D3 increases the level of glutathione in the body, which helps to reduce the level of free radical damage previously mentioned.
- People with low levels of vitamin D3 are more likely to experience cognitive impairment than those with high levels.
- Vitamin D3 has the ability to activate over 1000 genes that protect us from many chronic illnesses such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes and more.
- Vitamin D3 provides protection for the memory and learning functions in our brain.
- Healthy vitamin D3 levels are 50–90 ng/mL, and if they fall below that level then it may be necessary to supplement with 2000–5000 iu’s of a quality liquid gel supplement until that level is achieved.
3. Curcumin—Curcumin is derived from the spice turmeric and
has been used for thousands of years in both Indian and Chinese
medicine. It is will know for its ability to reduce inflammation,
as well as prevent and treat cancer, help treat diabetes and
improve liver health. It also has many well documented benefits
for helping the brain to stay healthy, including the following:
- In one study participants experienced measurable improvements in cognitive and mood performance testing.
- The same study also resulted in significant improvements in memory tasks and sustained attention span.
- Curcumin also improves memory, concentration and cognitive function.
- Curcumin reduces systemic inflammation and oxidative stress, while also enhancing cellular antioxidant activity.
- Curcumin has also been shown to reduce neurodegeneration caused by toxins such as fluoride.
- A protein called brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is needed to promote the growth and maturation of nerve cells. Curcumin has been shown to significantly increase BDNF levels.
- Curcumin has been shown to reduce plaque levels in the brain by up to 50 percent. Plaque is one of the main contributors to the development of dementia and Alzheimer’s.
- All curcumin is not easily absorbed in the body. A more bioavailable form is PC-95, which has more curcuminoids or one that contains galactomannan, which is a form of fiber to protects curcuminoids from intestinal modifications.
4. Magnesium threonate (MgT)—This is a very special form
of magnesium, which is able to better break the blood brain
barrier in order to gain access to brain cells. This is important
because the brain uses over 20 percent of the glucose consumed
to make energy for brain cells. Magnesium is the transport
agent that takes glucose into the cell. Energy cannot be made
without magnesium. Magnesium has been proven to produce
many benefits for the brain:
- Magnesium threonate is an effective nutrient for treating ADHD and ADD.
- It has also been proven effective in the reduction of amyloid plaque by 35 percent.
- MgT is also proven effective in the treatment of anxiety and depression.
- Oral dosages of MgT has been shown to be effective to prevent neuropathic pain induced by chemotherapy.
- Magnesium is crucial for the production of the energy needed to make all of the brain’s neurotransmitters including GABA, serotonin, dopamine, acetylcholine and melatonin.
The best source of magnesium in food is dark green vegetables,
however it is better to buy MgT in supplement form and take it
in the evening with a vitamin B complex supplement. Vitamin
B6, B12 and folate are needed to make neurotransmitters. There
must be sufficient magnesium available to make the energy for
this production process.
5. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD)—NAD
is a coenzyme needed for several important biochemical
functions. NAD enables the transfer of energy from the foods
we eat to produce new replacement cells everywhere in the
body. As we age this replacement process slows done due to
genetic codes related to our aging process. NAD levels decline
with age leaving our cells vulnerable to accelerated cellular
aging. By adding NAD in supplement form, we can turn off, or
at least slow down, this aging process. NAD also helps to keep
our stem cells at a higher level, which helps to make new cells
needed to replace aging or damaged cells. NAD accomplishes
this cellular rejuvenation by repairing damaged DNA caused
by the presence of toxins, strengthening our immune system
and lengthening the telomeres in our chromosomes. Shorter
telomeres are one of signs of cellular aging. NAD helps the
brain in many ways.
- NAD helps to repair damaged tissues in the brain.
- Damaged brain tissues are a key factor in many brain related illnesses.
- NAD has been shown to help control and effectively treat brain fog, cognitive impairment and “chemo brain,” or toxin overload.
- NAD is not easily absorbed in the body in oral form. Absorption can be improved by adding ingredients such as Bacopa monierri, Cat’s claw, CoQ10 and other amino acids and nutrients.
- The best way to ensure the highest levels of absorption is to administer NAD intravenously. Higher levels produce improved cognitive function, increased focus, reduced stress, better sleep and improved memory.
6. Lithium—Lithium has been used for many years as a
treatment for schizophrenia, at fairly large doses. Recently it
has been found that lower doses provide an excellent treatment
for declining memory. There are several reasons why lithium is
able to provide these benefits in the new formulations that are
beginning to appear on the market.
- Lithium helps to protect nerve cells from damage.
- Lithium also plays an important role in brain cell regeneration and recovery.
- The brain consists of both white and gray matter. Lithium helps to increase both types of “matter” leading to less shrinking, sharper thinking skills, better focus and better memory.
- Lithium increases gray matter by stimulating the brain to generate new cells, which then develop into neurons.
- Myelin is made primarily from lipid (fat) and protein and forms a protective layer around each nerve cell. Lithium adds more myelin around these cells providing increased protection. This process is known as remyelination.
- A good formulation has been developed by Life Extension called Memory Protect. Some patients experience memory improvement in just a few days.
Summary
There are many nutrients that have been proven to be helpful
in improving brain health. However, the scientific evidence
clearly points to these six super nutrients as being the best for
immediate and long-term brain health improvement for most
people. Every person is unique in their biochemistry, as well as
their lifestyle and behavior, which means it is imperative that
everyone should consult with a qualified functional medicine
practitioner before making any changes in their diet, their
medications, and their nutritional supplements.
And, it is also important to monitor your biochemistry by using quality blood testing.
- Fish oil can be measured with the Omega3/6 ratio test.
- Vitamin D3 should be measured to ensure levels are between 50–90 ng/mL.
- Curcumin controls inflammation which can be measured by C-reactive protein.
- Magnesium can best be measured with the RBC Magnesium test.
- NAD levels can be measured using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)
- Lithium levels can be measured using lithium serum blood levels.
Most of these tests are easy to add to any blood panel, with
the exception of the HPLC test. It is also possible to find an
assessment based on symptoms, which can provide a timely
and still very accurate method to determining the impact of the
aforementioned diet and supplement changes. I think you will
find this functional medicine brain health protocol to be safer,
more effective, and far less costly than any of the prescription
alternatives available.
References
- Brooks, Megan-Low Vitamin D Linked to Cognitive Decline, JAMA Neurology, September 14, 2015.
- Comparison of metabolic fates of nicotinamide, NAD+ and NADH administered orally and intraperitoneally; characterization of oral NAD, J Nutr Sci Vitaminol, (Tokyo) 2006 Apr;52(2): 142–8.
- Fern, Chris-Whole Body Health with Vitamin D, Life Extension Magazine, Feb. 2020, p.65.
- Global Health Center—5 Powerful Lithium Effects on the Brain, Jan. 31, 2019.
- Goldschein, Susan-NAD Promotes Stem Cell Renewal and Regenerates Mitochondria, Life Extension Magazine, Feb, 2020, p. 22.
- Greene, David-Major Advance! New Highly Bioavailable Curcumin, Life Extension Magazine, Feb. 2020, p. 32.
- Healthcare.com/nutrition—How Omega-3 Oil Affects Your Brain and Mental Health, May 28, 2019.
- Spreen, Allan—Vitamin D Benefits For Your Brain and Memory, Posted December 12, 2013.
- Superfoodly.com—Magnesium Threonate Benefits for Brain: Too good To Be True? May 20, 2019.
