Take care of your brain with ginkgo, DHA and lecithin.
The brain is a vital organ for our life, either in terms of intelligence, thinking, memory, learning, ability to work and decision making. The brain will continue to grow and develop until the age of 25 and will begin to deteriorate with increasing age.
Today, dementia is an increasingly common problem as people live longer. The incidence of dementia increased with increasing age. It is estimated that in the next 20 years, dementia will affect as many as millions of Thais and will affect the patients’ quality of life. In addition, one dementia patient requires at least two caregivers, leading to subsequent cost problems, therefore, it has a direct impact on the caregiver and the patient's family physically, mentally, as well as socially and economically. Therefore, taking care of our brain early is one of the most important things because it will not affect the quality of life in the end and will not be a burden to others.
Dementia
Dementia is a condition in which brain function is deteriorating. This leads to a loss of memory, learning, language use, and impaired problem solving processes that affect daily routines
There are two main causes of dementia.
Alzheimer's disease
caused by free radicals that damage brain cells, resulting in the accumulation of proteins clumping together in the brain tissue called plaques, causing brain cells to unable to receive nerve impulses as well as before, causing problems with learning, remembering, and solving problems. Brain cells will eventually deteriorate leading to dementia.
Vertebrobasilar circulatory disorders
Such as hypertension, vascular stenosis, results in the inability to bring enough nutrient and oxygen to the brain or lack of blood supply to the brain. As a result, brain cells deteriorate and eventually die which is the cause of dementia.
Risk Factors for dementia
As the age increases, the risk of dementia also found to increase by 20%.
Cerebrovascular disease such as a history of paralysis.
Hyperlipidemia which also leads to Alzheimer's disease.
Hypertension
Diabetes Mellitus
Depression
Smoking or drinking alcohol regularly
Overweight, Body Mass Index greater than 25%
Having a close relatives with dementia which was found to have a high risk of 10%
Brain nutrients.
1. Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract
Ginkgo has properties that may help prevent and treat dementia. Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract is a medicinal plant that has been used for a long time. There are many studies that address the efficacy and safety of ginkgo leaf extract, especially for the prevention and treatment of dementia.
Ginkgo biloba extract contains 2 groups of active ingredient, which are a group of flavon glycoside, an antioxidant that protect brain cells from free radicals, which is one of the causes of dementia and a group of terpene lactones that contains ginkgolide and bilobalide, which increases the flexibility of blood vessels, resulting in an improvement of oxygen and nutrient supply to the brain and other parts of the body, improvement of blood flow to the brain and also resistance of platelet aggregation thereby prevent clogging of blood vessels which is another cause of dementia.
Efficacy of Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract on the Brain
Relieving symptoms and slow down the degeneration of the brain.
Improving memory, thinking, and learning efficiency.
Improving memory and learning in Alzheimer's disease patients and dementia patients
Preventing blood clots.
*** According to the experimental research, a healthy volunteer women who eat Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract found to significantly improve short-term memory ability. In conclusion, ginkgo leaf extract can greatly enhance memory, thinking and learning.
Other health values of ginkgo leaf extract.
Treat tinnitus, dizziness, abnormal blood flow in the inner ear which is one of the causes of tinnitus and dizziness. According to several research studies, ginkgo has been shown to help treat tinnitus and dizziness, relieve symptoms of vascular stenosis. Ginkgo significantly relieves pain in patients with peripheral vascular disease. According to the research, patients with phlebitis (inflammation of a vein, usually in the leg) who took ginkgo leaf extract were found to be able to walk further than those who did not (improve pain-free walking distance).
2. DHA restore and prevent dementia.
Studies have shown that 40% of the fatty acids in the brain are DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid), a type of essential fatty acid that plays an important role in brain development, help enhance learning and development of the brain, restore brain cells and prevent brain degeneration. A clinical study from the UCLA University of America found that fish oil containing DHA increases a substance that helps reduce the formation of plaques (fibrous lesions) in the brain that destroys memory nerve fibers, leading to memory loss, changed behavior, forgetfulness which are symptoms of dementia. In addition, the study found that more than 1000 elderly people with Alzheimer's disease also have lower levels of DHA. For more information on DHA. Click
3. Lecithin - Nutrients to boost memory
Lecithin is essential to all cells in the body, especially as a component of the brain cell membranes and nerve cells. Lecithin is therefore very important to the brain. The main substance found in lecithin is phosphatidylcholine, a substance that provides choline, a precursor to the neurotransmitters called acetylcholine that helps to transmit information between nerve cells and the brain to pass the instructions to different parts of the body and also helps the brain to function more perfectly. Lecithin therefore plays a role in the development of learning and memory. Data from research studies in patients with dementia showed that patients with this disease have a lower level of acetylcholine. Another study in patients with early Alzheimer's disease found that taking choline for 6 months improved memory. The nutrients mentioned above are all a group of nutrients that are beneficial to brain care. Therefore, it can be used as an option to care and protect the brain.
Who is suitable for brain nutrients?
Elderly
Workforce, executives, aged 35 years and over.
People with a history of chronic diseases such as cerebrovascular disease and hyperlipidemia, etc.
Simple techniques to maintain brain health for seniors
Maintain normal blood pressure. If your blood pressure is too low, it may result in insufficient blood supply to the brain.
Control body weight, cut down on high-fat foods and eat fiber foods as fat can result in clogged arteries.
Regular exercise can help you stay fit and maintain your weight.
Abstain from alcohol and refrain from smoking as these may result in faster body's cells deterioration.
Relieve stress, calm mood and clear mind such as meditation practice, study Dhamma and do what you love.
Memory training, such as remembering phone numbers.
Brain care techniques for working people.
Exercise regularly.
Breathe training exercise for a proper breathing by breathing in and out slowly and deeply may improve overall brain health and promote brain development. If you sit and work for a long time, you may break the cycle with a simple break time to stand up, stretch or even take a walk for your health.
Eat breakfast regularly to give your body energy to work. Avoid high-fat foods, eat fruits and vegetables regularly.
Drink plenty of clean water since the brain is made up of 85% water, and refrain from smoking.
Find a way to relax after work because it can help relieve stress, such as traveling, listening to music, meditation, or even going to bed early is important
Positive thinking and learning new things all the time for good brain development such as learning to write with your non-dominant hand, calculate instead of using a calculator, play brain games, crossword puzzle.
Just all these ways, everyone can keep dementia away. Most importantly, do not forget to exercise regularly because no matter how much we eat healthy food on a regular basis, but without exercise, it will not have 100% effect on the body and still be at risk of other diseases.
