Vim & Vigor - Summer 2015 - Phelps County Regional Medical Center - (Page 30)
T
he supplement market is flooded with claims that we
can save ourselves from Alzheimer's disease, depression and more if we just take the right vitamin or herb.
Is it true?
The jury's out, says Paul Nussbaum, PhD, a clinical
neuropsychologist and the author of a number of brain
health books, including Save Your Brain. "We've learned that what we
put in our bodies does have an impact on the brain in terms of energy,
thought and emotion," he says.
That considered, it makes sense that studies show promise for supplements such as ginkgo biloba and omega-3s. There is also research,
however, that paints a less rosy picture.
"A supplement isn't the be-all and end-all of a healthy mind," says
Rita Singer, a registered dietitian and corporate wellness consultant.
"We always recommend a healthy diet first. Then if you can't get the
right amount of a certain nutrient, maybe turn to a supplement."
We take a closer look at three potential brain-boosting supplements
and examine why they may hold promise.
OMEGA-3s
BRAIN POWER:
May treat depression,
autism, bipolar disorder
and more
SU M M ER 2015
WHAT THEY ARE: You've heard about
these fatty acids in conjunction with
heart health, but they are gaining traction in mental health, too. Some types
of omega-3s are found in fish and shellfish; others, in vegetable oils. They are
essential to the body, playing a role in
brain development and function, but we
can't produce them ourselves-we need
to consume them.
HOW THEY MIGHT WORK: First,
you need to know that your brain is 60
percent fat. "The fat insulates the nerve
tracks and helps information move rapidly," Nussbaum says. "Omega-3s help
to bathe the cells in the right fat that
propels communication."
WHAT THE RESEARCH SAYS: Many
studies have shown that eating omega3-rich seafood is healthy. Omega-3s are
being explored as a treatment option for
people with depression, attention-deficit
hyperactivity disorder, autism, bipolar
disorder and schizophrenia. What can't
be said for certain is whether the supplements actually work.
WHAT ELSE TO KNOW: Pregnant
women are especially encouraged to
get their omega-3s, which play a role in
infant brain development. Doctors recommend a weekly intake of 8 ounces of
seafood (excluding sushi and fish high
in mercury, like swordfish). Because
omega-3s increase blood flow, supplements are not recommended for people
taking blood thinners or who have
bleeding disorders.
PHOTO BY GETTY/JULIE DE LESELEUC
30
Omega-3s
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Vim & Vigor - Summer 2015 - Phelps County Regional Medical Center
Vim & Vigor - Summer 2015 - Phelps County Regional Medical Center - (Page Cover1)
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Vim & Vigor - Summer 2015 - Phelps County Regional Medical Center - Contents (Page 21)
Vim & Vigor - Summer 2015 - Phelps County Regional Medical Center - Contents (Page 22)
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Vim & Vigor - Summer 2015 - Phelps County Regional Medical Center - Contents (Page 24)
Vim & Vigor - Summer 2015 - Phelps County Regional Medical Center - Contents (Page 25)
Vim & Vigor - Summer 2015 - Phelps County Regional Medical Center - Contents (Page 26)
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Vim & Vigor - Summer 2015 - Phelps County Regional Medical Center - Contents (Page 30)
Vim & Vigor - Summer 2015 - Phelps County Regional Medical Center - Contents (Page 31)
Vim & Vigor - Summer 2015 - Phelps County Regional Medical Center - Contents (Page 32)
Vim & Vigor - Summer 2015 - Phelps County Regional Medical Center - Contents (Page 33)
Vim & Vigor - Summer 2015 - Phelps County Regional Medical Center - Contents (Page 34)
Vim & Vigor - Summer 2015 - Phelps County Regional Medical Center - Contents (Page 35)
Vim & Vigor - Summer 2015 - Phelps County Regional Medical Center - Contents (Page 36)
Vim & Vigor - Summer 2015 - Phelps County Regional Medical Center - Contents (Page 37)
Vim & Vigor - Summer 2015 - Phelps County Regional Medical Center - Contents (Page 38)
Vim & Vigor - Summer 2015 - Phelps County Regional Medical Center - Contents (Page 39)
Vim & Vigor - Summer 2015 - Phelps County Regional Medical Center - Contents (Page 40)
Vim & Vigor - Summer 2015 - Phelps County Regional Medical Center - Contents (Page 41)
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Vim & Vigor - Summer 2015 - Phelps County Regional Medical Center - Contents (Page 46)
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Vim & Vigor - Summer 2015 - Phelps County Regional Medical Center - Contents (Page 56)
Vim & Vigor - Summer 2015 - Phelps County Regional Medical Center - Contents (Page Cover3)
Vim & Vigor - Summer 2015 - Phelps County Regional Medical Center - Contents (Page Cover4)
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/mcmurry/vimvigor_2016spring-pcrmc
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/mcmurry/vimvigor_2015winter-pcrmc
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