Eat Your Fish - Keep Your Memory

Alzheimer's researchers have long touted fish oil, by pill or diet, as an accessible and inexpensive "weapon" that may delay or prevent getting this debilitating disease. Now, UCLA scientists say they have confirmed that fish oil is indeed a deterrent against Alzheimer's--and they have identified the reasons why.
As reported in the Journal of Neuroscience, Greg Cole, professor of medicine and neurology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and associate director of UCLA's Alzheimer Disease Research Center, and his colleagues report that the Omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) which is found in fish oil increases the production of LR11.

LR11 is a protein that is found at reduced levels in Alzheimer's patients and is known to destroy the protein that forms the "plaques" associated with the disease.

The plaques are deposits of a protein called beta amyloid that is thought to be toxic to neurons in the brain, leading to Alzheimer's. Since having high levels of LR11 prevents the toxic plaques from being made, low levels in patients are believed to be a factor in causing the disease.

Alzheimer's is a debilitating neurodegenerative disease that causes memory loss, dementia, personality change and ultimately death. The national Alzheimer's Association estimates that 5.1 million Americans are currently afflicted with the disease and predicts that the number may increase to between 11 million and 16 million people by the year 2050.


Fish oil and its key ingredient, Omega-3 fatty acids (found in fatty fish like salmon), have been a mainstay of alternative health practitioners for years and have been endorsed by the American Heart Association to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Fatty acids like DHA are considered "essential" fatty acids because the body cannot make them from other sources and must obtain them through diet.

Years of research have shown that DHA is the most abundant essential fatty acid in the brain, Cole said, and that it is critical to fetal and infant brain development.

Studies have also linked low levels of DHA in the brain to cognitive impairment and have shown that lower levels may increase oxidative stress in the brains of Alzheimer's patients.

Still to be determined, he said, "is what the optimal dose should be. It could be that a smaller amount might be helpful, especially in a place like the south of France, where people are already on a Mediterranean diet."

Here in the United States, though, where fish consumption is not very high, the dose may need to be higher.

Funding for the research was provided by a grant from the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. The research was initiated with support from the National Institute on Aging.

Why Detox?

You might eat organic food, exercise regularly and live "green" but there are unfortunately still lots of things that our bodies can't handle and over time these things create a toxic environment in our bodies. A few of the symptoms of a toxic body include:

• Lack of energy
• Bloating
• Mood Swings/Depression
• Occasional Constipation
• Weak immune system
• Poor Appetite
• Weight Gain
• Foul Breath
• Backaches
• Skin Eruptions
• Frequent Headaches

There are many different methods to detox (though all include eliminating sugar and processed foods from your diet). Many people fast - either a water, juice or fruit fast; yet others use saunas and steam rooms to eliminate toxins through the skin or colonics to eliminate built-up toxic waste from the colon, and most also take take a variety of herbs that will help cleanse the organs and eliminate the toxins that are stored in them.
Having tried a variety of the herbal cleanses from the health food store with various levels of success, we stumbled across and after reading various posts of others success, decided to try it. It was amazing! Results like we had never had with any of the other herbal cleanses we tried!
After doing the 7-day Oxy-Powder Colon Cleanse, we decided to try some of the other cleansing products offered by Global Healing Center and had great results with all of them! While our cleansing results were amazing, we would love to hear what your experiences are with these or other similar products!

Feeling Down? Try these Natural Mood Boosters

1) Go for a walk
Not only is walking a great mood-booster, but researchers at Dalhousie University found that 30-minute walks were effective at reducing tension, anxiety, and mood disturbances and increasing energy and vigor.
* Going for outdoor walks has an added benefit: the natural light stimulates the brain to produce serotonin, a neurotransmitter known to improve your mood.

2) Make it an early night
Getting less sleep than you need can increase anxiety, tension, and sadness. Studies have shown that lack of sleep reduces emotional and physical well-being, reduces optimism, and even contributes to the onset and worsening of physical pain.

3) De-clutter
It's almost impossible to relax and feel great when everywhere you look, there are bills, papers, and appointment cards piled on workspaces and spilling out of drawers. Organizing your home and office is a great way to help calm anxiety, and some people actually find the de-cluttering itself therapeutic.

4) Listen to music
Music has a powerful effect on mood. It activates areas of the brain involved in the feeling of happiness. Relaxing music can lower blood pressure, heart rate, stress hormone levels, and may even improve cognitive abilities; while an upbeat song can bring a smile to your face, make your feet start tapping and maybe even start you dancing!

5) Use some aromatherapy
Aromatherapy involves the use of concentrated, aromatic plant oils called essential oils, you have probably seen it in the form of naturally-scented bath salts, body lotions, and massage oils. A recent study found that people exposed to the scent of lavender or rosemary essential oils felt more content than people who didn't use essential oils. Make sure they are pure essential oils - not artificially scented ones.

Quick Facial Rejuvenator

The delicate skin on your face is one of the first body parts to show signs of aging. It also shows the stress, lack of sleep or illness through: acne, an unhealthy color, ruddiness, puffiness, and dark circles.

Here’s a a quick and healthy beauty tip on how you can restore your natural color:

Make a paste by mixing 1/2 cup plain yogurt, 2 teaspoons lemon juice and honey (however much is needed to make a spreadable paste). Apply on clean skin and leave on for 15 minutes to allow these natural ingredients to work their magic. Yogurt and lemon juice both brighten the skin while honey softens and improves its appearance. Rinse off with warm water and pat dry.

Chamomile - What Are It's Uses?

Heard of Chamomile - probably as a tea - but aren't sure what it is good for?
Remember the story of Peter Rabbit - who ate himself sick in Mr. McGregor's garden and got chased out at the wrong end of a hoe? Peter's mother gave him chamomile tea to soothe his aching stomach.
Traditionally, chamomile tea has been used a remedy for indigestion, anxiety and wounds (among others). German herbalists once used chamomile so extensively, they called it "alles zutraut"(aw-les tsu-trout), which means "capable of anything." While that is an exaggeration, I have vivid memories of drinking mass amounts of chamomile tea whenever there was ANYTHING wrong me as a child.
Recent studies show that this popular herbal beverage does indeed relieve stomach distress, prevent ulcers, speed their healing and helps fight infection by stimulating the immune system. It also has mild relaxant and sedative properties and is therefore great for calming jangled nerves. Chamomile tea is also an excellent home remedy for indigestion, heartburn and infant colic.

Tips for Finding an Alternative Health Practitioner

How do you go about finding the right complementary and alternative medicine practitioner? There are so many different therapies and treatments that the options can seem overwhelming. Here are some suggestions:

Ask friends and family
Ask friends, relatives, and colleagues for the names of practitioners they've used. You'd be surprised by how many people have a practitioner they'd recommend.

Ask your healthcare providers
Ask your doctor, dentist, or other health care providers for recommendations. They may even regularly refer their patients to certain practitioners they trust.

Inquire at the health food store
Inquire at a local health food store or natural grocer. The manager usually knows practitioners in the area and they often have a board with business cards posted.

Check with local colleges
Call a local alternative medicine college or visit the website. Faculty members at colleges often teach part-time and maintain a practice. They usually have years of experience and are generally considered to be good practitioners.

Search web directories
Go to the professional association's website. Each type of therapy has an association with an online database of registered practitioners. You can often enter your city and zip code and get the names and phone numbers of practitioners in your area.

Ask your insurer
Check with your insurer to see if you are covered for any alternative health services. For example, some insurers cover visits to a chiropractor. They may have a list of of practitioners who accept your insurance.