Article by Kevin Green
Everyone has seen movies or read books where a character has the uncanny ability to remember everything he or she sees down to the finest detail. These fictional characters have photographic memories, the envy of all who observe their talent. The question that arises, though, is how do you develop a photographic memory yourself? Is it something that
Article by Dr. Lisa Hosbein
The health and medical communities have long acknowledged the benefits of a daily multi-vitamin, particularly for those over the age of 50. Even Medicare has noted decreased costs in caring for patients who take daily multi-vitamins.
As we grow older, the absorption and digestion of proteins and minerals becomes more difficult leading to a variety of ailments such as osteoporosis, fatigue, and chronic illness.
We can go a long way towards addressing these concerns by seeking out a few basic nutrients and nutritional supplements. Two vitamins that are essential for anyone over 50 include vitamin B-12 and vitamin D.
Vitamin B-12: Vitamin B-12 is an essential nutritional supplement for those over 50. Insufficient vitamin B-12 levels can lead to fatigue, brain fog, and a higher risk of heart disease.
Vitamin B-12 is particularly hard to absorb as we age, because we lack the biochemical called intrinsic factor. Because vitamin B-12 is difficult for the stomach to absorb, try taking it sublingually (as a lozenge, or as drops under the tongue) so that it can be absorbed through the mouth.
There are several types of vitamin B-12. The most common type, cyanocobalamin, is the least desirable because it does not cross the blood-brain barrier. Instead, look for methylcobalamin or hydroxycobalamin.
You might pick up a high quality vitamin B complex to take along with the vitamin B-12 to achieve a proper balance. A reasonable daily dose for vitamin B-12 is 500 micrograms (not milligrams). Vitamin B-12 is water soluble, so it is extremely unlikely that you will overdose on this vitamin.Vitamin D: Vitamin D is another essential nutritional supplement. Women who have optimal levels of vitamin D have approximately 50% decreased chance of breast cancer.
Studies have shown that most of the population living north of San Francisco is vitamin D deficient. If you live near the equator, then you can get enough vitamin D by going outside.
If you live in the north, you cannot get sufficient vitamin D from being in the sun during the winter months. During the summer months you can get enough vitamin D from 20 minutes per day of sun exposure between the hours of 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM.
Taking 2000 IU’s of vitamin D 3 per day is reasonable.
Alternatively, you may take cod liver oil daily. Be sure to find quality oil free of toxins. A highly recommended brand is Carlson Norwegian Cod Liver Oil.
Vitamin D toxicity has been a concern because it is a fat soluble vitamin. However, vitamin D toxicity is extremely rare. No cases have been documented of vitamin D toxicity from a daily dosage of 2000 IU’s and not even from 4000 IU’s per day.
And now I would like to offer you free access to my weekly Holistic Medicine Newsletter, Healthy Perspectives, where you can receive additional information on important health topics.
You can sign up by going to Holistic Medicine
Dr. Lisa Hosbein, MD, FACOG – The Wellness Doctor at Holistic Medicine
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Article by Janet Martin
Are brain foods real? Can they make you intelligent? Promoters think so and one brain food is even being touted as a slimming aid. But the facts say otherwise.
Many people think fish is a brain food. This misconception probably arose when iodized salt wasn’t available before and many people who lived far from the sea suffered from iodine deficiency.
Lack of iodine, as you know, causes goiter and a decrease in the production of thyroxin, the thyroid hormone. Since thyroxin is needed for proper mental functioning, those with goiter appear to move and think more slowly than other people. But as soon as they ate fish and other seafood, they became physically and mentally alert.
Eggs are also thought to be brain foods since they are rich in lecithin which has been falsely promoted as a memory booster and slimming aid.
One of the components of lecithin is choline which is said to be involved in thought processes. Unfortunately, studies of lecithin have not shown it to be beneficial in improving memory. Nor does it burn up fat, according to Kurt Butler and Dr. Lynne Rayner of the University of Hawaii in “The Best Medicine.”
Thus, while lecithin may help those suffering from certain neuropsychiatric disorders, it cannot make you smarter.
In short, there are no brain foods. New single food or vitamin can make you intelligent or improve your mental ability.
Brain growth and function, however, can be developed with proper nutrition during pregnancy and the first few years of life.
Brain cells grow until the child is about five years old. If the child is severely malnourished before that time, brain growth may be stunted and brain cells may be smaller and fewer than normal. This could affect the child’s mental capacity.
“It should be made clear, however, that there is no evidence to support the claim that adhering faithfully to a brain food diet while pregnant or placing a child on a brain food regimen will produce a genius. Mental capacity, after all, is determined by more than diet,” said Dr. Susan Baker of the Boston Children’s Hospital.
To be smart, be a wide reader, mingle with different people, and study hard. To lose weight, don’t fall for crash diets. Use your head to shed off those extra pounds. Exercise regularly and eat the right food. One supplement that can help is Phenocal – a safe and natural fat burner that will boost your metabolism, suppress your appetite, increase energy levels, and help you lose unwanted pounds. For more information, visit http://www.phenocal.com.
Janet Martin is an avid health and fitness enthusiast and published author. Many of her insightful articles can be found at the premiere online news magazine http://www.thearticleinsiders.com.
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