Mike Dailey asked:




Alzheimers Prevention and Brain Health

First I want to assume that you are reading this because you are starting to worry just a little bit about your memory and the possibility of Alzheimers later in life.  You’re not the only one-there are 72 million baby boomers taking turns on line every day looking for information, help and hope for the Alzheimers prevention .  You may have noticed long time friends or people at work maybe your own spouse decline right before your eyes.  It’s more than a little scary knowing you could be there too; so we look for answers.

Brain fog is not necessarily an indication of Alzheimers, Age Associated Memory Impairment (AAMI) or any form of dementia.  But it is a good indication that your brain health needs attention.  It could be that any number of things or a combination of things could make all the difference; but it is up to you to take action.  Clearing up the brain fog could very well be the first step in Alzheimers prevention.

A recent study of baby boomers concluded that 62% share Alzheimers as their biggest fear of growing old.  Not heart disease, not heart attack, not stroke, not cancer but Alzheimers.  I found myself in that group.  I also discovered that among physicians, men and women who see more pain, suffering and disease than any other segment of the population, they would prefer anything to Alzheimers.

  

Alzheimers is characterized by elevated levels of beta-amyloid peptides that cause plaque to build up in the brain.  The plaque causes the neurons to shrivel and tangle (fibrillary tangle) which prevents the synapses from firing neurotransmitters to relay information through out the brain.

The increase in this disease among people under 65 is increasing at an alarming rate. Alzheimers prevention is the only course of action we can take at this point as there is no known cure for the disease.  

 

So do you bury your head in the sand and hope you get to dodge this bullet or do you take the necessary steps to be healthy and mentally alert your entire life?  The good news is that what you do to enhance and improve the most important organ in your body will enhance and improve your entire body. BUT if you think that this disease is just inevitable to some people keep your affairs in order it may become a self fulfilling prophecy.

  

If on the other hand you want to reduce your risk and increase energy, focus, concentration, memory and overall brain fitness here are several steps to take to make that happen.

First change your diet:  there are some foods that do so much to create and maintain brain health they have to be included in a brain healthy diet.  Eat whole grain foods that contain the bran, germ and endosperm.  Eat apples, yes; an apple a day does keep the doctor away.  Include more berries in your diet, all sorts, but the darker the better.

It also turns out that fish really is brain food you should eat fish 3 to 5 times per week; salmon, tuna, herring etc.  And remember the tough vegetables- cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts. Yes I know- you hate that kind of stuff- but you are an adult now and Alzheimers prevention is your objective.

On the other hand if you have been avoiding nuts because of the fat content you can quite worrying nuts are good for you, the right fat, good slow metabolism, they help you feel full.  Along with nuts include all kinds of dairy products but make them low fat when possible.

Eat more greens, the darker the better, spinach, turnip, kale etc.  Yes I know…. But remember who you are and what your objective is.  Add soy to your diet, it’s especially good for Alzheimers prevention.

Sweet potatoes, one of natures most perfect and complete foods over all, is particularly good for brain health.  So don’t save then for the Holidays; eat them often.

Beans and legumes, there are many varieties and they are all very good for you and good for your brain.  Tomatoes are another incredibly healthy fruit for over all health, especially the brain.

If for any reason a diet featuring these foods is difficult, consider a supplement.  Brite Age Health has a formula, scientifically proven, in a large double blind placebo controlled study, to enhance and improve brain health and brain function.  To reverse what we call life style assaults on the brain take Brite Smart ™ and to ensure you have enough brain specific nutrition take Brite Shield ™.  Available at www.britetest.com   Remember Alzheimers prevention is the only cure.

Mike Dailey

Dorothea Hover-kramer asked:




Romance is widely understood as the vital connection with the “special someone” who is or will become your life partner. The laws of attraction operate in a most tangible way when it comes to romance. 

If you are grumpy, unhappy, or very needy you are likely to attract those very qualities another person. This is true whether you are just meeting someone new or you have been with a partner for many years. 

To find the “right person” in someone else, find ways of being the best person you can possibly be. If you want to maintain a long-term romantic relationship with your lifelong partner, be as creative as possible in your daily life by examining each interaction with the person for its gifts and challenges. 

Bringing your wisdom and humor into the second half of life is a vital ally for enhancing your romantic relationship. 

Here are a few practical tips from the new field of energy psychology for maintaining your emotional balance and keeping the charge of vitality and romance alive in your most significant relationship. 

1. Learn from each interaction. After any interaction with the person you consider most significant ask yourself, “What happened just now? How could it have been better? What can I learn here?” 

2. Be honest with yourself. Instead of prevaricating about why something went wrong, simply acknowledge harmony did not prevail in that moment rather than blaming the other person or feeling hurt. 

3. Treat yourself by acknowledging your limitations in an interaction, “Even though ______ happened /or I wish I had not said_______, I deeply and profoundly accept myself and am learning to enhance my relationship skills.” 

4. Release negative emotions quickly by tapping the sides of the hands together while making your releasing statement, ” I now let go of my guilt/heaviness/ anger/disappointment.” 

5. Rebalance yourself. Emphatic downward movements over the whole body help stagnant energy to release more fully. Feel your center while holding the hands gently over the heart to comfort and affirm yourself. 

6. Apologize and forgive readily. You can certainly own your part in the conflicting situation. 

7. Make a peace offering. It might be a smile, a joke, a gesture, a sharing of food, a sentence about an unrelated but safe topic. 

8. Allow time for the significant person in your life to respond. Remember, the other person may process emotions at a different tempo. 

9. Celebrate reunion with touch. Remember there are many ways to connect intimately without engaging sexually. Share with each other how you can do things differently in the future. Staying engaged in a romantic relationships requires daily commitment and frequent “tune ups.” Nothing happens automatically. With practice, though, you can learn to follow your intuition about the best timing for sensitive issues and steadily learn what works best for both of you. 

Choosing to keep romance alive in our hearts is a great adventure and joy in healthy aging! 

For more helpful ideas about maintaining relationship health and vitality visit Dr. Dorothea’s website or purchase her most recent book, Second Chance at Your Dream (2009, Energy Psychology Press). www.secondchancedream.com