oxygen t'yo brain

Low levels of brain oxygen may boost Alzheimer's risk

Researchers at Canada's University of British Columbia studied mice that had a gene tied to Alzheimer's disease.

The researchers kept some mice in cages with low-oxygen air for 16 hours a day for a month.

They kept the other mice in cages with normal oxygen levels.

In humans, conditions such as stroke that hamper blood flow in the brain can limit the brain's oxygen supply.

After the month, the researchers tested both sets of mice on a memory test.

The mice that had lived in low oxygen performed worse.

Those mice also had more amyloid beta plaque -- a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease -- in their brains, compared to the mice with normal brain oxygen levels.

Under the influence of low brain oxygen levels, the BACE1 gene upped production of amyloid beta, the key protein in Alzheimer's brain plaque.

Even a "slight" rise in BACE1 activity "could lead to a dramatic increase in [amyloid beta] production," the researchers write.

Low brain oxygen levels might also affect other genes and may spur brain cell death, worsening memory in Alzheimer's disease, Song's team notes.

The report appears in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences' online early edition.

start out slow

walk for 15 mins a day

this is a great way to build up

your cardiovascular endurance

-exercise gets rid of stress chemicals

brain rules

-exercise cuts dementia & alzheimer's risk IN HALF

When your oxygen is low, your ability to concentrate is hurt. When you can't concentrate, you can't learn new information easily or recall information you studied in the past. Many studies have shown that physical activity increases the flow of oxygen to your brain.

WANT TO STAY SHARP?

-pump up your muscles

CIRCULATION

-get your cardio in

CHALLENGE YOURSELF

-nourish

Foods high in antioxidants can dramatically reverse memory loss,

restore motor coordination and balance.

These foods are raisins, berries, apples, grapes, cherries, prunes, and spinach.

The whole body runs on carbohydrates.

Too much of simple carbohydrates can be harmful to the body

and brain functioning by creating a sharp rise in blood sugar.

Complex carbohydrates digests well and do not cause this spike.

Omega-3 fatty acids.help improve general brain functioning and restore memory.

Foods like: salmon, mackerel, sardines, herring, flax oil, and walnuts.

Foods high in complex carbohydrates include peanuts, dried apricots, dried beans, yogurt,

oat bran, All Bran cereal (be careful of the high sugar content in some brands), and sourdough bread.

Including vinegar or lemon juice with your foods helps suppress a sharp rise in blood sugar.

AVOID

Polyunsaturated fats: set up chronic inflammatory responses in brain tissue and foster blood damage. They are also harmful to blood vessels and ultimately blood circulation.

EX: safflower, sunflower and corn oils.

These oils are usually included in processed foods such as salad dressings, fries, doughnuts and most margarines. Even worse are hydrogenated vegetable oils. These oils are used in process foods such as micro-wave popcorn, boxed cakes, TV dinners, etc.

Sugar: Eating too much sugar can lead to insulin resistance which upsets the glucose level in the blood. This may lead to permanent damage to brain cells.

Simple carbohydrates turn instantly to sugar within the body.

Some scientist feel that eating white potatoes or white bread is just like eating candy.

Carbohydrates influence mood. There is a delicate balance of the right kind of carbohydrates.

WORKING OUT AT THE GYM ISNT JUST FOR AESTHETIC PURPOSES

STAY ON TOP OF YOUR GAME!

BE HEALTHY FROM THE INSIDE OUT

WHEN YOUR MUSCLE MAS DECLINES WITH AGE

YOU ARE LEFT WITH YOUR SPIRIT AND YOUR KNOWLEDGE

MAKE SURE YOU LEARN SOMETHING ALONG THE WAY

AND TREAT OTHERS THE WAY YOU, YOURSELF WISH TO BE TREATED

ENJOY YOUR WEEKEND!

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