Fructose And Insulin Resistance In Your Brain

A diet high in fructose can slow down your brain, and disrupt your ability to learn and remember information, according to a new UCLA study.

The results of this study are quite interesting.

They studied two groups of rats. Both groups were trained for five days to navigate a maze with one exit, and both groups were fed standard rat chow.

Following five days of training sessions, both groups were given a fructose solution as drinking water for six weeks. The second group, however, was also fed omega-3 fatty acids.

After six weeks, the group that did not eat any omega-3 fatty acids were much slower in navigating the maze that they were trained to navigate. The second group that ate omega-3 fatty acids in addition to the fructose water were much faster in navigating the maze.

It appears that fructose can block insulin's ability to regulate how brain cells use and store sugar for energy that is needed for processing thoughts, memory and learning. In other words, a high fructose diet can harm your brain's ability to function properly.

On the other hand, omega-3 fatty acids appear to counteract the negative influences of fructose on the brain.

The conclusion on brain health is that fructose is bad, and omega-3 fatty acids are good.

For optimum health, it is best to stay away from highly processed foods that contain a lot of fructose. However, we all fall to the temptation of a sugary snack from time to time. If you keep your omega-3 fatty acid levels in your blood stream on the high side by eating a lot of cold water fish, walnuts and flaxseeds, your body should be able to counteract an occasional unhealthy snack.

But,

1. If you want to minimize your risk of developing type 2 diabetes
2. And you want to maintain a healthy body weight
3. And you want to minimize your risk of developing fatty liver disease
4. And you want your brain to function at its best,

Then stay away from foods that contain fructose, and eat a lot of cold water fish, walnuts and flaxseed.

Charles A. Pennison

References:

UCLA News: " This is your brain on sugar: UCLA study shows high-fructose diet sabotages learning, memory "

Meditation May Allow Your Brain To Process Information Faster

Meditation not only strengthens the connections between brain cells, but may also allow your brain to process information faster.

This is the conclusion of a study at the UCLA Laboratory of Neuro Imaging.

The researchers found that people who have practiced meditation the longest in years have more folds in the outer layer of their brains. It is thought that these additional folds allow their brains to be better at processing information, making decisions and forming memories.

It is possible that genetics can be responsible for the physical differences in the brains of the people studied. However, the positive correlation between the number of years that meditation is practiced, and the additional amount of folding in the outer layers of the brain suggest that meditation is, at least, partly responsible.

I have had a difficult time staying with a meditation routine. I just find it difficult to relax and stay focused on just one thing for 15 to 30 minutes. However, that is the point of the exercise.

Those that stick with the meditation regimen become masters of introspection, awareness, emotional control and self-regulation. They have a superior ability to stay relaxed and focused. Like anything else, it takes years of practice, practice and more practice.

If you can continue to do meditation techniques everyday for years, you not only develop superior self-control, but also improve the function and health of your brain.

The government is now attempting to find medical ways to prevent brain diseases such as Alzheimer's. Recent research, however, suggest that the best way to improve and maintain brain health are

1. A daily routine of physical exercise
2. Adhering to a Mediterranean type of diet and a high omega-3 content diet
3. And practice daily meditation techniques.

Charles A. Pennison

References:

UCLA Newsroom: " Evidence builds that meditation strengthens the brain "

Changing Your Diet May Lower Your Alzheimer's Disease Risk

Can a change in your diet lower your Alzheimer's Disease risk?

The answer may be yes, according to Yian Gu, an associate research scientist at Columbia University in New York City.

Past research has shown that you can reduce your risk of developing Alzheimer's Disease by 65% by eating a Mediterranean type of diet and exercising regularly. Since the Mediterranean type of diet is low in red meats and high in fish, nuts and vegetables, this study focused on the amount of omega-3 fatty acids in the diets of dementia free seniors over the age of 65.

One of the characteristics of having a high risk of developing Alzheimer's Disease, is a high blood level of beta amyloid protein. This protein is a major component of amyloid deposits in the brain, which is a hallmark of the disease.

After studying 1,200 dementia free seniors over the age of 65, the results indicate that "regardless of age, gender, ethnicity and educational background, the more omega-3 fatty acids consumed, the lower the beta amyloid levels found in the blood." These healthy seniors got most of their omega-3 fatty acids from fish, poultry, margarine, nuts and salad dressing.

In other words, eating more foods high in omega-3 fatty acids reduces the amount of beta amyloid protein in your blood stream, which in turn reduces your risk of developing Alzheimer's Disease.

Alzheimer's does occur in my family over the age of 70. This is one of the reasons that I have changed my diet to eating more cold water fish. I now seldom eat red meats, and consume 3 servings a week of Brisling Sardines. The fish that are highest in omega-3 fats and low in mercury are sardines, herring and wild salmon.

Other foods high in omega-3 fats are

1. Ground Flax seed
2. Chia Seeds
3. Walnuts
4. And cooked soybeans

Omega-3 fatty acids are not only good for your heart, but also good for your brain's health and fitness. Eat more foods high in omega-3 fatty acids and live long and prosper.

Charles

Reference:

Doctor's Lounge: " Eating More Foods Rich in Omega-3s May Lower Alzheimer's Risk: Study "
The FASEB Journal: " Role of the beta-amyloid protein in Alzheimer's Disease "
WebMD: " Beta-Amyloid May Identify Alzheimer's Disease "