Interesting ways to improve your brain function
I discuss surprising ways you can improve your health...
One of my favourite areas of research is brain function and in particular, how to improve it. On the wards, in clinics and at GP surgeries, I see a scary number of patients with memory impairment.
Dementia is a syndrome (a group of related symptoms) associated with an ongoing decline of brain functioning.
There are many different causes of dementia, and many different types.
People often get confused about the difference between Alzheimer's disease and dementia. Alzheimer's disease is a type of dementia and, together with vascular dementia, makes up the majority of cases.With no hope of a reversible treatment option they and their families suffer in silence.
‘NHS UK’
However, what if you could reduce the risk of developing memory impairment by strengthening it with simple lifestyle measures?
3 Interesting Ways To Improve Your Brain Function
I’ve created a short video on 3 interesting evidence-based ways to improve your brain function. Find the link here
Lions mane mushroom
This is an incredible mushroom found on hardwood tree trunks that has amazing medicinal properties. Research has shown this mushroom stimulates nerve growth factor, signalling the creation of new neurons which are cells that makes up your nervous system. This can in turn lead to improve cognitive function, as shown in this 2009 randomised controlled trial.
Bacopa monnieri:
This is a herb found in the wetlands of south-east Asia and has been used for over a millennia by Ayurvedic practitioners for it’s memory enhancing properties. The herb contains molecules called saponins, which research has shown can boost memory. As shown in this 2008 randomised controlled study in an elderly population and this 2016 randomised controlled study on young medical students.
Exercise:
Interestingly there appears to be a strong link between exercise and brain function. One way exercise helps is it increases blood flow to the brain. The second is that it also stimulates the release of BDNF, which is a protein that stimulates new neurone, protects old ones and encourages plasticity of the brain which are all crucial to maintaining a healthy brain.
SUMMARY
Everything you do relies on the function of your brain. So take some time out to think, how can I help my brain perform as best as it can.
Herbal Docs News
We’ve been working hard behind the scenes to work on a presentation we will be delivering at The National Institute of Medical Herbalists. You can find details of the conference here.
The video is titled ‘Discovering Herbal Medicine’ and it chronicles our journey from working class estate boys, through medical school and junior doctor years to our work now understanding and discovering herbal medicine.
The conference is on the 8th, 9th and 10th October and we’d love you join us!
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