Some cocoa may improve brain blood flow
Sunday, February 18th, 2007This recent study reported that a nice cup of the right kind of cocoa could hold the promise of promoting brain function as people age. In an increasingly aging world, medical researchers are seeing more cases of dementia and are looking for ways to make brains work better. One potential source of help may be flavanols, an antioxidant found in cocoa beans that can increase blood flow to the brain, researchers said Sunday at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Ian MacDonald of England’s University of Nottingham reported on tests given to young women who were asked to do a complex task while their brains were being studied with magnetic resonance imaging.
Experts use psychology to change children’s eating habits
Sunday, February 18th, 2007When it comes to changing children’s eating habits, a little psychology can go a long way.
Researchers in Britain have created an educational video program called “Food Dudes” that relies on peer pressure, peer modeling, and a reward system to persuade kids to eat more fruit and vegetables and shun fatty foods. It seems to be working: A pilot program at 150 schools in Ireland, targeting children aged 2 to 11, doubled intake of fruit and vegetables and in some cases boosted consumption of such foods by 10 to 14 times, the organizers say. The program was funded by the Irish government, the European Union Commission, and Unilever.
Another reason to eat fish!
Thursday, January 25th, 2007Now omega 3’s can prevent Alzheimer’s? We’ve known the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids for cardiac, mood disorders, and ADHD. Exciting new evidence now shows DHA, one of the brain omega-3’s, can also prevent you from getting Alzheimer’s. There were approximately 900 patients enrolled in this study at the USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University. Results showed that the seniors (average age of 76) followed over a period of 9 years had a 47% lower risk of developing dementia if they had higher blood levels of DHA. More reason to eat fish and supplement your diet with omega-3’s!
The study results were published in the Nov 2006, Archives of Neurology.
Omega-3’s Food for Thought
Wednesday, January 3rd, 2007http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/health/2007-01-01-omega-3-usat_x.htm?csp=34
Omega 3’s are in the media spotlight again. This USA Today article features foods in 2007 that will be supplemented with omega-3 fatty acids including Tropicana OJ, eggs, butter substitutes, cereal, infant formula to aid in brain development, and even pet food lines. Apparently Fido needs fish oil too.
Omega 3 fatty acids are best known for their cardiovascular benefits. In more recent years the omega 3’s have also been shown to prevent depression and bipolar depressive episodes, and possibly improve cognitive development. The brain’s “user friendly” forms of omega 3’s are DHA and EPA. Fish oil is recommended over flax seed for brain benefits.
The Brain and Omega 3’s
Friday, December 29th, 2006John Stein, professor of physiology at Oxford, describes the role of omega 3 fatty acids in ADHD, dyslexia, and dyspraxia. Omega 3’s are an essential fatty acid. “Essential” means essential in our diet, because our bodies need these but can not produce them. Humans are dependent on diet as the sole source of this vital nutrient, and in most cases our diets are significantly lacking. Children and adults with ADHD may benefit from dietary supplementation with omega 3’s to improve symptoms and reduce the amount of stimulant medication they are taking.
http://theolivepress.es/content/view/360/59/
Omega-3 Fatty Acid Study
Tuesday, December 12th, 2006Pilot studies have indicated that omega-3 fatty acids can positively impact cognition and behavior. Australia’s Murdoch Children’s Research Institute is now launching a larger study to examine the benefits of omega-3’s in greater detail. 250 children with and without ADHD will be enrolled in the trial to compare learning, attention, memory, reaction time, and behavior in children taking omega-3 supplements versus those taking a placebo pill. It is wonderful to see the academic community’s interest expanding to research non-traditional approaches to care.
Guidelines Coming for Physical Exercise
Tuesday, October 31st, 2006My hope is that these guidelines will eventually address children’s physical activity requirements. If so, this could help us win the battle against ADHD children missing recess during the school day. Perhaps this is one small step in the right direction……
Associated Press - October 26, 2006
WASHINGTON - There’s a food pyramid to help guide people’s eating habits, so why not one for exercise? The Bush administration said Thursday it would develop guidelines for physical activity.When the guidelines are ready in late 2008, federal health officials hope they will help people live healthier lifestyles, which in turn, could slow soaring health care costs.
“Obesity is an epidemic, and chronic disease inevitably follows. It has become a major quiet killer,” said Mike Leavitt, the health and human services secretary.
More than half of adults in the United States do not get enough of the kind of physical activity that actually benefits them. One-quarter are not active at all in their leisure time. Overall, more than 60 million adults are obese, Leavitt said.