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Did you know your skin’s condition may tell you the condition of your brain? Skin, just like the brain, changes dramatically as we age. People age at different rates, according to: • Inherited genes • Environmental factors • Diet • Exercise • Habits • Hormones

Skin is the First Sign of Aging

Skin mirrors the first signs of aging, due to the hormonal decline in the body accompanying aging. Skin becomes thin, dry and pale in color, and it begins to form multiple fine wrinkles. As the skin goes, so goes the brain, because the brain is also being affected by the decline in hormones. Cognitive decline can sometimes be attributed to hormone deficiency. But before jumping to replace hormones via hormone replacement therapy, be very diligent to discuss this carefully with an endocrinologist who is up on the latest research. The wrong hormones, at the wrong age, in the wrong doses, can actually increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

How to Use Natural Remedies to Balance Hormones

Using more natural ways to balance hormones, such as a healthy diet and exercise, along with supplements like fish oil, may be the safest route for most people to improve the quality of their brain and skin. Skin aged prematurely by the sun shows deep wrinkling and develops many kinds of pigment changes. This “photo damage” triggers inflammation in the body. Chronic inflammation is also seen in premature brain aging, such as in Alzheimer’s disease.

Why Do Skin & the Brain Age in Similar Ways?

There is a biological reason that skin and brain age in similar ways. In early embryo, both skin cells and brain cells develop from the same kind of embryonic tissue (ectoderm). It is not feasible to do a brain biopsy to assess aging of brain tissue, but a skin biopsy is simple. Researchers are finding that skin cells can provide an experimental model for aging research on the brain. Perhaps not surprisingly, considering the brain-skin link, what is good for the brain is also great for the skin. Numerous scientific studies have confirmed fish oil is beneficial for the brain and the skin. It appears to help limit the damage of radiation from the sun, give skin a younger appearance and reduce the risk of skin cancer. This is good news because it means that you possess the power to change your brain! There are many ways to become sick, but there is a clear path to wellness and it’s simpler than you think. If you are ready to transform your life, we can help you.

Improve Your Brain Health

While it may not be common practice to think of your brain aging the same way you think of your skin aging, it is an important aspect to keep in mind. The age of your brain matters! It is directly related to your memory, moods, and overall sense of well-being. At Amen Clinics, we have spent decades helping people improve their brain health and cognitive function, effectively reversing the age of our patients’ brains. Call us today at 888-288-9834 or visit us online to schedule a visit. Memory is the fabric of our souls. It houses our joys, our hurts, and all of life’s lessons. It enables us to recall the important events in our lives. Memory also provides us with a sense of purpose that gives our lives meaning. Our memory is so integral to who we are that it’s easy to take it for granted. But when our memory is damaged, the costs can be high. A deteriorating memory can rob us of our ability to make good decisions and disconnect us from those we love. Memory problems limit our success at work and steal our independence. When memory risk factors like high stress, lack of sleep, and an unhealthy diet aren’t addressed, it can lead to memory loss and symptoms dementia, and even Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s is the most common type of dementia—estimated to account for 60 to 80 percent of cases. However, other forms of dementia also create serious problems. They include: Vascular dementia – the second most common type of dementia, vascular dementia typically occurs as a result of one or more strokes that have created blockages to the brain’s blood vessels. Lewy body dementia – refers to both Parkinson’s disease and dementia with Lewy bodies, abnormal protein deposits that disrupt the brain’s normal functioning. Frontotemporal lobe dementia – is precipitated by progressive nerve cell loss in the frontal or temporal lobes, stemming from various uncommon disorders that cause the affected lobes to atrophy. Though there are different forms of dementia, many of their symptoms are the same. Here are 9 early warning signs of dementia:

1. Difficulty performing familiar tasks

People can get distracted and sometimes forget an ingredient when they’re cooking. A person with early warning signs of dementia may have trouble remembering all the ingredients and even how to cook their favorite dish.

2. Problems with words and language

People can stumble over words sometimes. That’s natural. But someone with early warning signs of dementia may completely forget an obvious word, use an inappropriate word, and may even be difficult to understand. They may also have trouble understanding you.

3. Disorientation of time and place

Someone with early symptoms of dementia may have trouble remembering how to get to a familiar place or forget where they are.

4. Decreased judgment

Someone with early warning signs of dementia may start neglecting their hygiene and grooming. He or she may have used to style their hair, and now you rarely see them put together, not even for special occasions.

5. Gradual memory loss

It’s normal to occasionally forget an appointment. But someone with early warning signs of dementia will completely forget appointments more often than normal and totally forget what they are for.

6. Misplacing things

Everyone misplaces their keys and phone sometimes. A person with early warning signs of dementia may leave them in unusual places and may even become suspicious and accuse someone else of hiding or stealing their things.

7. Problems with abstract thinking

Sometimes people forget to pay a bill. Hopefully, that’s a rare occurrence. A person with early warning signs of dementia may have difficulty handling money, paying bills, and even understanding what the numbers mean.

8. Personality changes

Everyone can be moody at times. A person with early warning signs of dementia may have more intense mood swings, more often.

9. Loss of initiative, apathy

It’s natural for people to sometimes not want to be social. A person with early warning signs of dementia may lose interest in social activities and hobbies. They may become more isolated and withdrawn. Have you noticed any of the above warning signs in yourself or a loved one? To get a better idea of how healthy your memory is, try taking a memory assessment. Did you know that in spite of the natural aging process, you actually have a choice in how fast your brain ages? Your behavior and habits can speed up or slow down the rate at which your brain declines with age. Being mentally and physically active, eating nutritious foods and avoiding unhealthy habits can help you maintain optimal brain health and ward off dementia. The best way to sharpen recall, reduce brain atrophy, and eliminate all of the risk factors that steal the mind is with a BRIGHT MINDS approach, which addresses memory problems, aging and Alzheimer’s disease. To learn more about Amen Clinics Memory Program based on Dr. Amen’s BRIGHT MINDS approach, check it out HERE. To schedule a visit with our clinic, please call 888-288-9834 or tell us more online. Most of us assume that as we get older our memory is bound to deteriorate like an old radio with faulty reception. We figure that losing keys, struggling with names and other signs of forgetfulness are the natural outcome of having lived past 60. This common attitude is usually summed up with a shoulder shrug and four words: “What can you do?” The two-word answer: a lot. Even when your memory has already started unraveling. Even though aging is the single most important risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease and memory loss. Mental decline is not a foregone conclusion as you age. You can have a vibrant, agile memory long past retirement. You just have to be serious about protecting it. Take Sherman, a 71-year-old artist who came to see us at Amen Clinics because his memory and decision-making had been slipping and he felt increasingly estranged from himself. We evaluated him using our new BRIGHT MINDS Program, which is designed to identify and treat all 11 risk factors that contribute to memory problems. Here is what the words BRIGHT MINDS stand for: B – Blood Flow R – Retirement/Aging I – Inflammation G – Genetics H – Head Trauma T – Toxins
M – Mental Health I – Immunity/Infection Issues N – Neurohormone Deficiencies D – Diabesity S – Sleep Issues In addition to being 20 pounds overweight, Sherman had a number of BRIGHT MINDS vulnerabilities, including low blood flow to his brain on SPECT imaging as well as high blood glucose, homocysteine and ferritin, or iron—all tied to faster aging. Sherman took his situation seriously and donated blood to lower his iron, adopted our Memory Rescue Diet (more on that, below) and started exercising. Within three months he had lost 22 pounds and felt his memory had improved; within six months he was healthier than before his problems had started. In addition to getting older, the general risk factors associated with living past retirement age are: It’s a good idea to have a checkup with your health-care provider to evaluate your current state of health. Request these specific lab tests: You can take these simple steps to make sure your mind and memory are sharp for years to come: Watch this video below to hear Dr. Daniel Amen explain the important role retirement and aging plays in BRIGHT MINDS & how to prevent memory problems. To learn more about Amen Clinics Memory Program based on Dr. Amen’s BRIGHT MINDS approach, check it out HERE. Frightening new research suggests that Alzheimer’s disease actually starts in your brain decades before you have any symptoms. And Alzheimer’s disease is expected to triple in the next thirty years with no cure on the horizon. Furthermore, it is estimated that 50% of people eighty-five years old and older will be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia. So is this future inevitable for you? No! Based on our experience with thousands of patients, here are 7 specific steps you can take to minimize your risk, reverse pending illness, and keep your brain healthy for decades to come.

1. Develop Brain Envy

Falling in love with your brain is the first step to reclaiming, sustaining, and strengthening your brain. Since most people never look at their brains, most have no idea if and when they are headed for trouble. To get truly well, it starts by developing a deep sense of love and care for your brain—what I call brain envy.

2. Get Baseline Brain Health Assessments

It is critical to assess your brain and important numbers. You cannot change what you do not measure. Periodic brain imaging can help, especially if there are signs of trouble or risk factors. We routinely screen other organs for trouble, but very few people ever screen their brains. New research shows that lower memory and thinking scores up to 18 years earlier can indicate possible Alzheimer’s disease later on. Knowing the health of your brain is critical to keeping it strong over the long run.

3. Optimize Your Important Health Numbers

It is also critical to know your important health numbers (BMI, waist-to-height ratio, sleep hours) and baseline screening labs (fasting blood glucose, C-reactive protein, vitamin D, ferritin). Work with your health-care professionals to optimize those numbers, not just have them in the normal range. Who wants to be normal? Remember – 50% of people age 85 and older will be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. That’s normal and I want no part of it.

4. Help Your Brain In Multiple Ways

Your brain gets sick or ages in multiple ways which is exactly how to get it better—by using multiple interventions that target things like gut health, inflammation, blood flow, blood sugar levels, and more. Single mechanism interventions, such as only taking vitamin E or ginkgo by themselves have not consistently worked in large scale studies. However, when we use smart combinations, in a multiple mechanism approach, they are much more effective.

5. It Must Be Repeated…Over, And Over, And Over

When people come to see me they usually are not doing very well. Over time, if they work the plan we develop, they get better. But no one gets better in a straight line. They get better, then there is a setback, then they get better still, then there may be a setback, then they continue to improve. Over time, they reach a new steady state where they are consistently better. The setbacks are critically important because if we pay attention to them, they can be the best teachers. And this plan has to be iterative; you can never stop … because aging never stops.

6. To Decrease Your Risk For Alzheimer’s, Decrease The Associated Risk Factors

The best way to decrease your risk of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia is to eliminate all of the risk factors that are associated with them—and the good news is that most of them are either preventable or treatable! Some of the most common risk factors include obesity, diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, smoking, using drugs or alcohol, sleep apnea, insomnia, and low estrogen, testosterone, or thyroid.

7. Get Your Food Right

The Standard American Diet filled with sugar, processed, pesticide-laden foods, high omega-6 fatty acids, excessive calories, and trans fats increases your risk for Alzheimer’s disease. People who have a healthy-fat-based diet (fish, avocados, nuts) have 42% less risk of being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. People who have a healthy-protein-based diet have 21% less risk. But people who have a simple-carbohydrate-based diet (bread, pasta, potatoes, rice, fruit juice and sugar) have a 400% increased risk of getting Alzheimer’s disease. Although getting older is unavoidable, aging is optional. To see how our experienced staff will help you learn more about your brain and support you in preventing Alzheimer’s and dementia, call us today at 888-288-9834 or visit our website to schedule an appointment. First, let’s clear something up — testosterone is not just the “male hormone.” Both men and women have testosterone; in fact, we share virtually all the same hormones, just in different amounts.

What is Testosterone?

Testosterone is an anabolic, or tissue building hormone as well as an androgenic, or masculinizing hormone. Unsurprisingly, men have a lot more testosterone than women, yet women certainly need it too. Like many hormones, testosterone drops with age; however, testosterone can also be prematurely reduced (at any age) by stress, birth control pill use, diabetes, and narcotic use, along with many other reasons. Testosterone is the primary hormone responsible for libido in both men and women. Women suffering from chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, depression, and other issues often have very low testosterone levels and can improve dramatically with testosterone replacement.

Who Needs Hormone Replacement Therapy?

Virtually everyone who has diabetes, or uses narcotics regularly for pain control, has hypogonadism, i.e. low testosterone. Many women on birth control pills can have an extremely low testosterone level because of the increase in SHBG (sex hormone binding globulin) caused by the pills, that suck up all the available testosterone. Testosterone can be replaced at any age and in both sexes.

Using Testosterone Replacement Therapy

• Depression can be relieved • Libido restored • Motivation returned • Energy revitalized You CAN get your mojo back! There are hundreds of studies showing the medical benefits of testosterone replacement therapy. Not only is testosterone helpful for improving libido and mood, but also improving cognition, cardiac function, wound healing, muscle strength, stamina, recovery and energy.

Andropause

Men go through a form of menopause called ‘Andropause’ typically in their 40s and 50s. The symptoms of Andropause include lowered sex drive, decreased muscle mass, depression, lack of motivation, fatigue, increased body fat, and decreased strength and stamina. Many of the same symptoms can occur in women at any age that have a low testosterone level.

Proper Testing is Key

As is the case with many hormones, just because your testosterone is in the “normal range” does not mean it is optimal. Additionally, it is essential to check your free testosterone level in addition to your total testosterone level, due to the SHBG issue noted above. Generally speaking, you always want your hormones to be in the upper-third of the normal range. Just going from the lower third to the upper third of the normal range can dramatically improve your quality of life. Don’t settle for the “your blood tests are normal so you are fine” response from your doctor if you feel that you may be experiencing hormone imbalance. You and your mojo deserve to see a physician who specializes in hormone optimization.

We Can Help

Call Amen Clinics today at 888-288-9834 or visit us online. Learn more about Bioidentical Hormonal Replacement Therapy from Dr. Mark Filidei of Amen Clinics Orange County, CA: A study at UC Davis has found uncontrolled high blood pressure damages the brain’s structure and function as early as young middle-age. Even the brains of middle-aged people who clinically would not be considered to have hypertension have evidence of silent structural brain damage.

What Research Says

The investigation found accelerated brain aging among hypertensive and pre-hypertensive individuals in their 40s, including damage to the structural integrity of the brain’s white matter and the volume of its gray matter, suggesting that vascular brain injury “develops gradually over the lifetime with discernible effects.” The study is the first to demonstrate that there is structural damage to the brains of adults in young middle age because of high blood pressure. Structural damage to the brain’s white matter caused by high blood pressure previously has been associated with cognitive decline in older individuals.

Normal vs. Abnormal

Normal blood pressure is considered a systolic blood pressure — the top number — below 120 and a diastolic pressure — the bottom number — below 80. Pre-hypertensive blood pressure range is a top number between 120 and 139 and a bottom number between 80 and 89. Blood pressures above 140 over 90 are considered high. Elevated blood pressure affects approximately 50 million Americans and is associated with a 62 percent risk of cerebrovascular disease, such as ischemic stroke, and a 49 percent risk of cardiovascular disease. It is the single-greatest risk factor for mortality in the United States. Earlier studies have identified associations between elevated blood pressure and a heightened risk of brain injury and atrophy leading to reduced cognitive performance and a greater likelihood of dementia, making hypertension an important, modifiable risk factor for late-life cognitive decline.

The Outcome

There is evidence, the study says, that lowering blood pressure among people in middle age and in the young elderly can help prevent late-life cognitive decline and dementia.

Get Your Blood Pressure Under Control

There are many ways you can get your blood under control without the use of medication:

1. Lose extra pounds and watch your waistline.

Blood pressure often increases as weight increases. Losing just 10 pounds (4.5 kilograms) can help reduce your blood pressure. In general, the more weight you lose, the lower your blood pressure.

2. Exercise regularly.

Regular physical activity — at least 30 to 60 minutes most days of the week — can lower your blood pressure by 4 to 9 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). And it doesn’t take long to see a difference. If you haven’t been active, increasing your exercise level can lower your blood pressure within just a few weeks.

3. Eat a healthy diet.

Eating a diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables and lean proteins and skimps on saturated fat and cholesterol can lower your blood pressure by up to 14 mm Hg.

4. Reduce sodium in your diet.

Even a small reduction in the sodium in your diet can reduce blood pressure by 2 to 8 mm Hg. Try to limit sodium to 2,300 milligrams (mg) a day or less. To decrease sodium in your diet, trying keeping a food journal, reading food labels, eating fewer processed foods like potato chips and frozen dinners, and lastly, just don’t add salt. Use herbs or spices, rather than salt, to add more flavor to your foods.

5. Limit the amount of alcohol you drink.

There’s more potential harm than benefit to drinking alcohol. If you drink more than moderate amounts of it, alcohol can actually raise blood pressure by several points and it can also reduce the effectiveness of high blood pressure medications.

6. Avoid tobacco products and secondhand smoke.

On top of all the other dangers of smoking, the nicotine in tobacco products can raise your blood pressure by 10 mm Hg or more for up to an hour after you smoke. Smoking throughout the day means your blood pressure may remain constantly high.

7. Cut back on caffeine.

Drinking caffeinated beverages can temporarily cause a spike in your blood pressure. Too much caffeine restricts blood flow to the brain, dehydrates the brain, body and skin, and fools the brain into thinking it does not need to sleep.

8. Reduce your stress.

Stress or anxiety can temporarily increase blood pressure. Take some time to think about what causes you to feel stressed, such as work, family, finances or illness. Once you know what’s causing your stress, consider how you can eliminate or reduce stress. Try taking breaks for deep-breathing exercises. Get a massage or take up yoga or meditation.

We Can Help

You CAN change your brain, and change your life. At Amen Clinics, we want to help you. Call us today at 888-288-9834 or visit here to schedule an appointment. Do you floss regularly? Brush your teeth after every meal? If you do, you might be preventing more than just cavities and gum disease. A study found that people who keep their teeth and gums healthy with regular brushing may have a lower risk of developing dementia later in life.

What Research Says

Researchers at University of California that followed nearly 5,500 elderly people over an 18-year-period found that those who reported brushing their teeth less than once a day were up to 65 percent more likely to develop dementia than those who brushed daily.

Why?

Inflammation stoked by gum disease-related bacteria is implicated in a host of conditions including heart disease, stroke and diabetes. Some studies have also found that people with Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia, have more gum disease-related bacteria in their brains than a person without Alzheimer’s. It’s thought that gum disease bacteria might get into the brain, causing inflammation and brain damage.

The Results

All were free of dementia at the outset, when they answered questions about their dental health habits, the condition of their teeth and whether they wore dentures. When the researchers followed up 18 years later, they used interviews, medical records and in some cases death certificates to determine that 1,145 of the original group had been diagnosed with dementia. Of 78 women who said they brushed their teeth less than once a day in 1992, 21 had dementia by 2010, or about one case per 3.7 women. In comparison, among those who brushed at least once a day, closer to one in every 4.5 women developed dementia which translates to a 65-percent greater chance of dementia among those who brushed less than daily.

Men vs. Women

Among the men, the effect was less pronounced with about one in six irregular brushers developing the disease, making them 22 percent more likely to have dementia than those who brushed daily. Statistically, however, the effect was so small it could have been due to chance, the researchers said.

Can Other Factors Contribute?

Head injury and malnutrition are also important causes of tooth loss in adults, and either of those might increase the dementia risk, said Amber Watts, who studies dementia at the University of Kansas and wasn’t part of the study. It’s probably a bit of a stretch to say that by brushing your teeth you will not develop Alzheimer’s Disease, but certainly keeping a good dental hygiene regimen is never a bad idea.

We Can Help

Did you know that despite the natural aging process, you have a choice in how fast your brain ages? Your behavior and habits can speed up or slow down the rate at which your brain declines with age. Being mentally and physically active, eating nutritious foods and avoiding unhealthy habits can help you maintain optimal brain health and ward off dementia. The best way to sharpen recall, reduce brain atrophy, and eliminate all the risk factors that steal the mind is with a BRIGHT MINDS approach, which addresses memory problems, aging and Alzheimer’s disease. To learn more about Amen Clinics Memory Program based on Dr. Amen’s BRIGHT MINDS approach, check it out HERE, or call 888-288-9834.