BRAIN HEALTH

Brain Health: What Is It & How To Maintain It

Photo credit: Moreintelligent.com Brain health is essential in order live a healthy life and is just as important as your physical health. All the functions in your body are controlled by the brain. Simple things such as remembering to take the clothes out of the washer to important tasks like remembering to pay a bill all depend on your brain functioning properly.

How Fish Oils Can Help Protect Your Brain From Head Trauma

According to new research, consuming high amounts of the omega-3 fatty acid DHA can help protect your brain from the effects of head trauma. Photo credit: The ISSN Scoop A recent 2016 study out of Texas Christian University examined 91 NCAA Division I athletes and discovered the omega-3 fatty acid DHA could possibly help protect them from the effects of head trauma by providing a neuroprotective effect.  So why DHA and not EPA? We first need to understand the differences between these two omega-3's. Eicosapanatanoic acid or EPA, is known for its anti-inflammatory and heart health benefits. Docosahexaenoic acid or DHA plays a major role in brain health by controlling inflammation in our brain and acting as the building blocks for the outer layer of its tissues. This outer layer is called the cell membrane and controls what enters our brain. DHA is found in high concentrations in mother's breast milk and is crucial for infant brain development. But how does it help protect against head trauma? In the study mentioned above, the researchers looked for a marker called Neurofilament Light or NFL (no pun intended). When NFL is found in the blood or cerebral spinal fluid it can be a sign that there's brain damage. The athletes took only 2 grams of DHA per day and showed significantly less NFL in their blood. So by providing an abundance of DHA for the brain, a traumatic head injury has the extra bulding blocks to help repair some of the damage done to the cell. Does it prevent head trauma? No, but it gives your body the vital resources it needs to better protect itself.

Effects Of Structural Correction On Chronic Constipation

Americans spend $1.4 MILLION every day on laxatives to relieve constipation. When bowels are not eliminated properly it can lead to secondary conditions such as headaches, low back pain, abdominal pain, and even anorexia. The vagus nerve, the nerve that controls our digestive system, travels from the brain to the abdomen. This nerve can be affected by the primary condition or what we call in our office, Structural Shifts.  Photo credit: www.emergencymedicinecases.com This study looked at a five year old girl with chronic constipation who was under Traditional Chiropractic care since she was two. She was treated for low back pain and was responding well, however, she was only experiencing one bowl movement a week and it had to be induced with medication. The patient then transferred to a Structural Chiropractor for further evaluation. During their Structural Correction Chiropractic Examination they noticed the patient had a Structural Shift that was resulting in her secondary condition of chronic constipation. Structural Radiographs were then taken and the patient's primary condtion was then corrected with Structural Corrective Chiropractic Care. It was noted that since the start of care, the mother discontinued the use of her medication. The patient experienced a bowl movement the day after her correction without the use of them. During the next two weeks of care, the patient experienced 4 to 6 bowl movements each week without medication. At Realm Chiropractic, we objectively look for any Structural Shifts that can lead to these secondary conditions. If found, these Structural Shifts are corrected allowing the body to function optimally leading to a better overall quality of life.

How Saunas May Reduce Your Risk For Dementia

Men who used a sauna 4 to 7 times a week had a 66 percent lower risk for dementia, and a 65 percent lower risk for Alzheimer's disease, compared to men who used the sauna once a week.  Photo: PortoBay Hotels & Resorts Flickr With Alzheimer's disease being the sixth leading cause of the death in the U.S., this research is crucial in terms of prevention.  But how does sweating help my brain? The heat exposure from the sauna activates brain stem cells to convert into new neurons that can then promote improved neural health. Research has shown sauna usage increases levels of norepinephrine and prolactin, which can help your brain function quicker and repair nerve cell damage more efficiently.  Any other health benefits? Sauna use has also shown to help with heart health. Men who used the sauna 7 times per week cut their risk of death from fatal heart problems in half compared to those who only used it once a week. So next time you're at the gym or spa, spend about 20 minutes in the sauna. Your heart and brain will thank you in the long run.