The Brain Can Be Saved!

Protecting The Brain Against Age Related Damage

The brain generates a tremendous amount of free radicals as a part of its daily functioning. Some scientists believe that over the course of months and years, these free radicals may contribute to the impairment of healthy brain activity that occurs with aging.

Grape seed extract has demonstrated remarkable success in blocking the formation of senile plaques that severely damage the brains of those with dementia. As a result of these attributes, many researchers now consider grape seed extract to be an essential nutrient for maintaining brain health and vitality. In laboratory experiments, brain cells of rats treated with grape seed extract before exposing them to the toxic protein beta amyloid. While untreated rat brain neurons readily accumulated free radicals and subsequently died, the cells treated with the nutrient extract were significantly protected.

Grape seed extract is one of the most potent antioxidants available. It possesses 20 times more free radical-fighting power than vitamin E and 50 times more than vitamin C. This remarkable antioxidant activity suggests that grape seed extract should become a part of any regimen to optimize brain health. In addition, a recently published 2006 study found that grape seed extract successfully inhibits the accumulation of age-related oxidative DNA damage in areas of the spinal cord and brain of aged albino rats.

Improving Cerebral Circulation

Vinpocetine, a derivative of the periwinkle plant, was developed more than three decades ago for the purposes of combating cognitive decline. Like phosphatidylserine and GPC, it is available only by prescription in Europe. In the United States, vinpocetine is available without a prescription, as a nutritional supplement.

One of vinpocetine’s most important benefits for improving cognition is its ability to increase blood circulation and enhance glucose utilization throughout the brain) This is critical, since blood flow and its life-sustaining supply of oxygen in the brain otherwise tend to diminish as people age. In three studies of older adults with memory problems associated with poor brain circulation, vinpocetine was much better than placebo in improving patients’ performance on comprehensive cognitive tests reflecting attention, concentration, and memory.”

Because vinpocetine may affect the clotting time of blood plasma, those who take the prescription drug warfarin (Coumadin®) should consult with their physicians before using this nutrient.

Suppressing Inflammatory Fires

A great danger to the aging brain is inflammation, which can destroy neurons and impair essential brain function. Used for centuries as a remedy for the pain and inflammation of arthritis, ginger blocks certain changes in brain cells that are associated with the development of Alzheimer’s. By incubating cells with ginger extract and various inflammation-provoking substances, scientists demonstrated in 2005 that ginger can inhibit activation of an inflammatory response in brain tissues. This led the investigators to suggest in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine that ginger extract “may be useful in delaying the onset and the progression of neurodegenerative diseases”.

Protect Your Ability to Think and Reason

As humans age, physical and biochemical changes in brain cells can lead to significant cognitive impairment. For many years, the conventional dogma was that forgetfulness, slowed speech, and difficulty with mental tasks was natural consequences of aging. The tragic loss of brain function as we age is not inevitable. Impressive research by scientists around the world has uncovered novel methods to help preserve our minds’ precious abilities. In order to safeguard our cognitive abilities, however, we need to be vigilant and take the necessary steps to protect against the ravages of brain cell aging.