Part 5: Boosting Brain Power

Many of us fear mental decline as we age. We worry about memory loss, dementia and Alzheimer’s. Have hope, because exciting research in the area of neuroscience can help us delay and even prevent mental decline. In today’s video, I am excited to share with you many ways to improve mental clarity, mental sharpness and develop that peace of mind.

RECAP from last week: Building Energy & Stamina
1. Ginseng/ Gynostemma: Great herbs to boost energy.
2. Acupressure points on the Foot, Hands and neck to stimulate energy flow
3. Building up Mitochondria. Applying the previous 3 weeks (nutrition, detoxification)
  https://yourbriohealth.ca/create-energy-stamina/

I have spent the past 3 years researching and learning all I can about brain health. My own family history of mental illness, dementia, memory issues and learning disabilities motivated me to learn more on this topic.

In this upcoming month, my goal is to launch an Interactive Hands on Course to help you Improve your Brain and Mental wellness. This course is for young and old. It’s about optimizing the brain and preventing issues down the road. Stay tuned.

Brain Health Assessment

Do you find yourself forgetting material that you have just read?
Do you often lose your train of thought in a conversation?
Is it getting harder for you to learn a new task?
Do you feel you are not as sharp as you once were?
Do you have a family history of mental illness?
Do you have a family history of dementia?
Do other people tell you that you repeat yourself often?
Do you have mood swings or sudden changes in behaviour that upset others?
Does your mind bounce from one subject to another, making it difficult to concentrate?
Are you taking any of the following prescription medications? Insulin, antidepressant, anti-anxiety,

How did you score?

If you answered YES to 3 of these questions, then your risk is MILD
If you answered YES to 4 to 7 of these questions, then your risk is MODERATE
If you answered YES to 8 or more of the questions, then your risk is SEVERE

What is your reaction to this Health Assessment?

What area would you like to improve on this upcoming week?

Chinese Medicine & Western Medicine have different Views of MIND & BRAIN

Western Medicine:
1. The Brain is the most important organ: CONTROL CENTER
2. The 3 parts of the Brain I like to teach my patients about are:
  1. Cortex – “CEO” of the BRAIN – executive function/ decision making
  2. Cerebellum – “Chief Operating Officer”. relays the message from CEO to the body. Learning, Emotions, Movements, Coordination
  3. Brain Stem: “the MANAGER”
    1. Manages the autonomic system: Breathing, Heart Rate, digestive functions.
    2. These are the vitals, we don’t need to think about breathing or our heart rate, it just happens, thanks to the brain stem.
Chinese Medicine
1. The BRAIN is NOT included in the organs of TCM
2. (heart, liver, spleen, lung, Kidney) Zang Organs
3. (gallbladder, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, bladder, and Triple warmer) Fu Organs
4. Emotions are connected to different organ systems
  1. Fear = Kidneys
  2. Worry = Spleen
  3. Anger = Liver
5. In TCM, diseases are “systemic” or caused by the entire body, rather than disorders of a single organ.
Why is this important?
1. Modern Science is now catching up to the holistic model in treating the brain
2. Example: Digestive System is now understood as a second Brain.
  1. Neurotransmitters are also produced in the gut
  2. Microbiome / gut health has a connection with Alzheimer’s and the Immune system.
  3. Inflammation in the Gut, can affect inflammation in the brain.
3. What’s exciting, is that Holistic approaches are showing improvements in Brain issues.
4. Changes in Mental Sharpness doesn’t always mean you are having a decline in your brain function
5. Physiological changes in your body
  1. Hormonal Changes
  2. Impact of Stress on the body
  3. Reactions to environmental toxins
  4. Immune system issues.
6. TCM teaches that when we balance the entire system, all those organs
  1. Clarity of Mind
  2. Sharpness in Memory
  3. Peace of mind.

Health Tips to boost Brain Power

Exercising your Brain!
1. Use it or Lose it!
2. BOTH Physical Exercise
  1. Movement is Vital to the Brain.
  2. Exercise improves memory: Blood Flow
  3. Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) – repairs the brain, helps it learn, regulates mood.
3. Mental Exercise
  1. Crosswords/ Chess, memorizing names/ lists
  2. Memorizing Poems, Songs, Scripture
  3. Continue to Learn something NEW regularly
4. Research shows: PRACTICE EVERYDAY AT THE SAME TIME to lock in things to memory
  1. Consistency and repetition is very important for the brain.
  2. NEURAL PATHWAYS that FIRE together will WIRE together.
Nutritional Support
1. MicroAlgae – Blue Green Algae, Spurilina, seaweed, Chlorella
  1. High in protein
  2. Easy to absorb
  3. Trace minerals
  4. Excellent fuel for the Brain
  5. (GREEN LIGHT)
2. Ginkgo Biloba
  1. Improves circulation to the brain
  2. Improves learning, thinking, retention, recall
  3. Proactive approach in Asia to improve memory and slow cognitive decline
3. Goji Berry (Wolfberry)
  1. Historical implications for vision and Brain
  2. Vitamin A and other trace minerals
  3. Enjoyed in foods, or desserts
Organized SPACE, Organized MIND
1. When your house is organized, your mind is organized.
2. Less anxiety, less energy spent on searching for things (Car Keys?)
3. Designate a Place for ALL your items
  1. Filing Cabinet, A box, A shelf
4. Having a Designated SPOT for your things, will help you remember and save precious memory space.