In This Week's Newsletter

How to enhance your "Brain Power"

The brain is described in the dictionary as the part of the central nervous system enclosed in the cranium of vertebrates, serving to control and coordinate the mental and physical actions. However, in the common speech, brains means intelligence — the ability to comprehend, remember and process information. Sometimes we think that having “brains” is just a matter of genes or plain “luck.”

However, our capacity to think and know is not something that is set in stone at birth. IQ can change and there are many things that can be done to improve our “brains.” Like any other organ of the body, the brain can be strengthened by good nutrition. It can also be developed with use or diminished with abuse.

In this issue you’ll learn some of the herbs, nutrients and practices that can enhance your “brain power.” You’ll also discover some of the things that diminish it. So, exercise your “central nervous system processing center” (i.e., brain) and read on.

Starting Right

Good nutrition during pregnancy and early childhood is vital to the development of the brain. Essential fatty acids are extremely important to the development of the brain, so children should not be put on a low fat diet. Children need fats, but they need healthy fats, like those found in nuts and seeds, salmon and ocean fish, flax or hemp seed oil and butter. These healthy sources of fat are vital to their developing central nervous systems.
Hypoglycemia or low blood sugar diminishes brain power. The brain consumes more sugar than any other organ in the body. When blood sugar levels drop, many of the higher processing centers of the brain start to shut down. Mental confusion, irritability, inability to concentrate and even “crazy” behavior can result.

Refined sugars and carbohydrates give the brain a “quick fix” of sugar, but lack the other nutrients the body needs to control and process the sugar in a stable manner. Hence, they produce rapid increases and decreases in blood sugar levels creating a blood sugar “roller coaster” with corresponding behavior. If you or your children behave like angels at one time and demons at others, you may be on this blood sugar roller coaster.

Other symptoms include a sudden inability to concentrate, sleepiness or a drop in body temperature (cold nose or limbs). This usually happens in mid-afternoon or when the person hasn’t eaten for a while.

Getting out of the refined carbohydrate “amusement park” and onto a diet rich in complex carbohydrates can help the brain stay focused. You may be pleasantly surprised at how much clearer you can think on a diet of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and natural sweeteners (like unprocessed honey, real maple syrup, xylitol etc.). These foods keep the brain supplied with a constant, controlled level of sugar that helps keep thought processes focused and stable. Once you’ve been on a diet free of refined carbohydrates for about three to four weeks, you’ll be amazed at the clarity of your thought processes. It’s like the proverbial “light bulb” turning on in the mind.
Licorice root can help to stabilize blood sugar levels and kill the craving for sugar and stimulants.
GTF chromium can also be useful for the same purpose. Another supplement that can help is the Chinese formula Nervous Fatigue. It builds the adrenal glands and pancreas and helps overcome mental fatigue, confusion, inability to concentrate and emotional mood swings.


Getting Blood to Your Brain

The brain doesn’t just need sugar, however, it also needs a constant supply of oxygen and other vital nutrients carried by the blood. Circulation to the brain is another major factor in brain power. Perhaps you’ve noticed that when you’ve been sitting for a long time you start to feel sleepy and have a difficult time concentrating. After taking a walk, however, your mental alertness returns and the fatigue vanishes. This is because the pumping action of the muscles in your legs gets more blood to the brain. Hence, a sedentary life-style can diminish your thinking capacity. Something as simple as a gentle exercise program (even walking) can enhance your mental ability.

Many Americans, however, suffer from an even more serious circulatory problem — atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries. If you enjoy a diet rich in saturated fat and low in fiber you’re just asking for this condition. Atherosclerosis is the result of cholesterol formations in the arteries of the body, especially the arteries leading to the heart and brain. As the arteries which carry blood into the brain become “plugged” the amount of oxygen and nutrients reaching our thinking center diminishes. The result — loss of memory.

The same diet that helps control hypoglycemia also helps to prevent the clogging of your brain’s blood vessels and hence, your “constipated” thought processes. Whole grains, fresh vegetables and other foods rich in natural fiber help to keep your cholesterol levels down and your brain power up. If you already have this problem, there is a solution. Oral chelation can remove the plaque lining your arteries and get your blood (and your thoughts) flowing freely again.

MegaChel is a product loaded with high doses of antioxidant vitamins and nutrients that helps your body break down arterial plaque. It works best taken with liquid trace minerals (Ionic minerals) (1). When using MegaChel, start slowly with one tablet two times daily and gradually increase to a full dose (5-6 tablets twice daily) over a period of 3-4 weeks. Divide your age by 10 and stay on the full dose for that many months (i.e., 3 months for age 30, 7 months for age 70). Taper off gradually.
The MegaChel program can be even more effective when combined with other herbs that enhance circulation. Ask us for further information.