Age-Proofing Your Brain – Macronutrition, 2

Fats are tricky. Too much fat in your menu may translate into weight gain (they have 9 calories per gram, more than twice as many as either proteins or carbohydrates) and/or an increased risk for cardiovascular diseases. However, it is important to eat some healthier fats as they help keep your skin and hair in good condition, assist in absorbing the so-called fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K; and provide essential fatty acids. Some recommend plant-based fats such as cold-pressed olive oil for salads and coconut oil for cooking. Myelin, the insulation around nerve axons, is about seventy percent fat. Oleic acid, one of the most common fatty acids in myelin, is found in cold-pressed olive oil as well as in almonds, pecans, macadamias, peanuts, and avocados. Structurally, brain tissue is composed of a 1:1 ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids. A high intake of meat and dairy products may lead to a ratio of 20:1. An imbalance of fatty acids may be linked to hyperactivity, depression, some mental illnesses, and possibly some allergies. Learn to read labels—and then take time to read them. Carry a magnifying glass, if need be. Avoid hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils and trans fats and minimize the use of saturated fats from animal sources. Be judicious in the amount of plant-based fats you take in on a daily basis. More tomorrow.

Age-Proofing Your Brain – Macronutrition, 1

Macronutrients refer to foods that provide nutrition in the form of calories. High quality macronutrients include unrefined, unprocessed foods (fruits, grains, seeds, nuts, vegetables) in as natural a state as possible along with healthier plant fats. Your brain and body are nourished by high-quality nutrition. Less desirable foods are usually dense, refined and processed, and of lower quality. Often dubbed ‘empty’ calories, they can add weight to your frame but contribute little if any quality nutrition. It’s really pretty simple. Ingest 3,500 calories more than you use and add one pound to your weight. Expend 3,500 more calories than you take in and you stand to lose a pound. The quality of your macronutrition affects your neurochemistry, which in turn influences your brain, mood, actions and behaviors, thought processes, and even emotions and feelings. Macronutrients are typically grouped into three general categories: carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. More tomorrow.

Brain & Body Immune Systems, 3

Length of life and level of health and wellness are related to PNI (psychoneuroimmunology) function. Yes at times, unexplained healings do occur. But in general, if you get sick and if you get well, your body heals itself. It has been set up to prevent illness where possible and to heal illnesses where possible. Estimates are that 85 percent of illnesses are within your immune systems’ reach for healing. Albert Schweitzer, MD, put it this way: “Each patient carries his own doctor inside him--we are at our best when we give the doctor who resides within a chance to go to work.” Studies are showing how you can give the doctor within you a chance to go to work.” I agree. How do you do that? In my brain’s opinion, you do it by creating and living a Longevity Lifestyle—it Matters. That’s the reason I wrote The Longevity Lifestyle Matters Program, with Sharlet M. Briggs, PhD, and Steve Horton, MPH. Embracing a Longevity Lifestyle has certainly made a positive difference in my life!

Brain & Body Immune Systems, 2

The Brain-body immune systems have four main functions:

1. To recognizes the “self” (this impacts organ transplants as the immune system says—“That’s not me!”)  
2. Destroys foreign invaders
3. Destroys internal mutations (tumors)
4. Keeps things tidy and clean

 The first PNI (Psychoneuroimmunology) convention was held in 1986 in Colorado. According to Margaret E. Kemeny PhD, UCSF, this branch of science was developed to investigate the bidirectional linkages between the brain, the immune system, and the endocrine system and to identify the clinical implications of these linkages. You do have a duty, according to Neil Nedley, MD: “Your singular duty to the immune system (IS) is to develop a lifestyle that will support its constant defense work on your behalf. How you live day by day determines whether your immune system works at peak levels or is inhibited by neglect and even abuse.” More tomorrow

Brain & Body Immune Systems, 1

I know that one of two main risk factors for becoming infected with this new Coronavirus is the type and amount of exposure What is the other one?

The other main risk factor is the strength of your immune system. The brain and the body both have immune systems—although no one knew the brain had one until late 2015. The brain-body immune systems are very closely connected. One writer commented that “their hands are shoved so deeply into each other’s pockets you can’t tell which is which.” That’s the good news and the bad news because what happens in the brain, in effect, also happens in the body’s immune system and vice versa. There are many parts to these immune systems including: lymph vessels in the three coverings (meninges) of the brain, tonsils and adenoids, the appendix and Peyer’s patches in the abdomen, Thymus gland, lymph nodes, bone marrow, and spleen—and maybe some other parts science hasn’t discovered as yet. The immune system is the most amazing healing system in the world but it’s level of effectiveness is typically tied to lifestyle and the habits of everyday living. There are strategies that strengthen the immune system and bad habits that tear it down. More tomorrow

SARS-Cov-2 (prevention, Cont’d)

More prevention strategies

4. Maintain a social distance of six-feet from others. Nod and smile but avoid handshakes, hugs, kisses, and fist bumps or elbow rubs because that involves close contact. This includes avoiding all nonessential travel and crowds of people, as well as even small groups of people (ten or fewer) where you are unable to maintain a six-foot social distance.

5.  Sneeze or cough into the crook of your elbow. If tissue is easily available, cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue and then throw it into the trash immediately.

6.  Disinfect frequently-touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol.

7. If you develop symptoms and need to seek medical care, call ahead to the office, urgent care, or Emergency Department first—before going there. Describe your symptoms and follow the instructions you receive.

For the next few blogs I will identify basic health strategies that are key to keeping the immune system healthy.

SARS-CoV-2 (Prevention)

How can you lower your risk for infection? There are recommended prevention strategies, including the following.

 

1.         Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds to avoid contamination from other people’s hands, door handles, table surfaces, and so on. Note: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends using hand sanitizers with at least 60 percent alcohol when you are unable to wash your hands.

2.          Avoid touching your face, eyes, nose, and mouth, or putting inanimate objects in your mouth such as pens and pencils or sharing eating utensils or drinking glasses.

3.          Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Send a text or email or chat by phone. If someone is sick in your own home, ask them stay in their own room as much as possible, away from other family members. Stay at home if you are sick and take precautions to avoid sharing your germs with other people and pets. If you have pets, wash your hands after touching them, and keep them away from your face to avoid their licking. More tomorrow

https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/show-me-the-science-handwashing.html