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People who struggle with memory loss probably don’t think their gut might be to blame. But it could be. The gut, or gastrointestinal tract, is home to trillions of microorganisms, both helpful and harmful, collectively known as the microbiome. This community of bugs plays a key role in the health of your brain: Its activities include protecting your gut lining and nutrient absorption, synthesizing vitamins and neurotransmitters, and helping manage immunity, appetite, and blood sugar levels. When the harmful bugs outnumber the good ones, it can disrupt the gut lining, causing what’s known as a leaky gut, which can lead to chronic inflammation and a host of health problems, from seasonal allergies to autoimmune diseases and even Alzheimer’s. Chronic inflammation is like a fire inside your body, an insidious, low-level burn that can damage your organs and your brain. Put out that fire and your overall health will improve and you’ll strengthen your memory. That’s why inflammation is the third risk factor in the Amen Clinics’ new BRIGHT MINDS Program, which identifies and treats the 11 risk factors that can steal your memory and your mind. This approach has been shown to be the best way to keep your memory sharp—for life. The risks are summed up in the words BRIGHT MINDS, which makes them easier to remember: 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 a leaky gut, other factors associated with chronic inflammation include: If you suspect chronic inflammation is a problem for you, be sure to include these laboratory tests at your next checkup with your health-care provider: Take these simple, smart steps to keep your gut happy and quench chronic inflammation throughout your body: In this video, Dr. Daniel Amen discusses how your troubled gut could be hurting your brain and the steps you can take today to help prevent memory loss. To learn more about Amen Clinics Memory Program based on Dr. Amen’s BRIGHT MINDS approach, check it out HERE. The breakthrough BRIGHT MINDS plan will help anyone who is struggling with brain fog and memory deficits. 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. It’s back to school time already, which can mean helping your child adjust to a new classroom, new teachers, and for many—new distractions. Getting through this transition can be a challenge for those with undiagnosed or untreated ADD, and can wreak havoc on their lives – and yours! But, it doesn’t have to; learning more about the symptoms and treatment for ADD can lead you and your loved ones to healthier and more productive lives. One of Dr. Amen’s scientific contributions is, through the use of brain SPECT imaging, he uncovered the 7 subtypes of ADD, each involving a unique pattern of activity in the brain. And, not surprisingly, that each of the ADD types requires a different treatment—not a one-size-fits-all ADD solution.

While each of the 7 types of ADD has its own unique set of symptoms, they generally share the same core symptoms:

The 7 Types of ADD:

Type 1: Classic ADD

This first type of ADD – what is known as ADHD (H = Hyperactive), is usually evident early in life. As babies, they tend to be colicky, active and wiggly, growing into children who tend to be restless, noisy, talkative, impulsive and demanding. Their hyperactivity and sometimes conflict-driven behavior gets everyone’s attention early on. Classic ADD tends to be more frequently seen in boys.

Type 2: Inattentive ADD

Those with this type are usually quiet, more introverted and appear to daydream a lot. They may be labeled as unmotivated—even slow or lazy. Inattentive ADD is common in girls and boys but is often missed because children with this type tend to have fewer behavioral problems and don’t draw the negative attention to themselves as do those with Classic ADD. Nonetheless, left untreated they may live life below their true potential.

Type 3: Overfocused ADD

People suffering from this type have most of the ADD features, but rather than not being able to pay attention, they become hyper-focused on certain things while tuning everything else out. These folks tend to get stuck or locked into negative thought patterns and behaviors. This type of ADD is often found in substance abusers as well as the children and grandchildren of alcoholics.

Type 4: Temporal Lobe ADD

In addition to the core features of ADD, people with this type have symptoms associated with temporal lobe problems, such as problems with learning, memory, mood instability, aggression, temper outbursts, and sometimes, even violence. It is not unusual to see this type of ADD in people who have had head injuries.

Type 5: Limbic ADD

In Limbic ADD, the core symptoms of ADD intersect with mood issues and are present over a long period of time. Commonly, people with this type suffer from not only the symptoms of ADD, but also with low self-esteem, sadness, low energy and motivation, and a loss of interest in fun activities.

Type 6: Ring of Fire ADD

With this type, people often have difficulty “turning off” their brains, typically feeling overwhelmed with thoughts and emotions, in addition to problems with inattention, distractibility and other core ADD symptoms. Ring of Fire ADD can also be related to some form of allergy, infection or inflammation in the brain, or to bipolar disorder.

Type 7: Anxious ADD

With Type 7, the core symptoms of ADD are compounded by symptoms of anxiety such as worry, nervousness, tension and fear of being judged. Furthermore, the ADD symptoms in people suffering from this type tend to be magnified by their anxiety. ADD is a neurobiological disorder with serious psychological and social consequences. Children, teens, adults, and parents need to know that it’s not their fault, they didn’t cause it, and there is hope. Amen Clinics is here to help you understand the ADD brain and provide treatment options that address more than just symptoms. Call us today at 888-288-9834 or visit us online to schedule a visit. For daily brain health updates, follow us on Facebook. 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.