Tag Archives: brain

Ginkgo biloba: Benefits to brain, stroke prevention and treatment and other CV challenges

The herb Ginkgo biloba has a long history as the ultimate brain and memory booster. In China it is considered the Tree of Longevity, some trees living to more than 1000 years old. Significant research has shown it can also protect you from brain damage after a stroke, as well as aiding in prevention of all cardiovascular challenges.

The American Stroke Association says strokes can occur when a clot blocks or bursts a blood vessel to the brain. This damage prevents your brain from getting the blood and oxygen it needs. When your brain is starved of life-giving oxygen, it could lead to seizures, vision problems, memory and speech loss, or paralysis.

According to research completed at Johns Hopkins University there is evidence that Ginkgo biloba may neutralize cell-damaging free radicals.  A research team gave mice daily doses of Ginkgo biloba extract. The mice then had a laboratory-induced stroke. The researchers found these mice suffered about half the brain damage as animals not given the ginkgo.

They also found that mice that were give ginkgo five minutes after the induced stroke sustained nearly 60 percent less brain damage the day after the stroke than those not given ginkgo at all. And when mice received ginkgo 4 1/2 hours after a stroke—they still showed about a third less damage than those not given ginkgo!

“If further work confirms what we’ve seen, we could theoretically recommend a daily regimen of ginkgo to people at high risk of stroke as a preventive measure against brain damage,” said lead researcher Sylvain Dore, associate professor at the Johns Hopkins Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine.

Gingko has also been used to improve concentration and memory, Raynaud’s, and is an effective blood thinner for stroke prevention.

The Ginkgo biloba that I use is a time released concentrate, which is very potent and effective. Contact our office to learn how to order this potent Gingko Biloba.

Omega Oils: Why Do You Need Them ?

WHY HAVE OMEGAS aka FISH OILS IN YOUR DIET?

FISH OIL MAY HELP RELIEVE STUBBORN DEPRESSION

Daily supplements of  omega-3 fatty acid–found in fish and fish oil–may help alleviate the symptoms of depression in patients who do not respond to standard antidepressant medications, new research findings suggest.

Studies done in England  found that depressed patients who received a daily dose of 1000 mg of an omega-3 fatty acid for 12 weeks experienced a decrease in their
symptoms, such as sadness, anxiety and sleeping problems.

All of the patients had tried other medications before enrolling in the
study, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
such as Prozac and tricyclic antidepressants., both considered standard
treatments for depression.

This is not the first study to suggest that omega-3 fatty acids, such as the
form of eicosapenaenoic acid (EPA) used in this study, may help patients
with psychiatric disorders. Previous researchers have suggested that the
balance of omega-3 fatty acids in the brain may become skewed in people with
depression, and earlier studies have shown that fish oil supplements can
help alleviate the symptoms of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, or manic
depression.

People who are depressed, as well as those diagnosed with cardiovascular diseases have relatively low levels of omega-3 fatty acids in their blood.

Balancing Omega 3and 6 EFAs requires a little education on essential fatty acids.
Your most important fatty acids are your omega-3s and your omega-
6s. The body requires a proper balance of omega-3 and omega-6
essential fatty acids. Flax seed oil contains a balance of these
two essential fatty acids. Most vegetable oils only contain omega-6 oils.
Ingesting too much omega-6 with too little omega-3 creates a
tendency towards inflammation, high blood pressure and other
imbalances.

Most North Americans ingest too much omega-6 and get very
little omega-3. Taking flax seed oil won’t counterbalance this. Most
people need  extra omega-3 to balance the vegetable oils in their diet. The only  reliable sources of omega-3 are wild game, and wild deep ocean fish such as salmon – farm raised does not cut it!

So, fish oil supplements will give you the extra omega-3 your body needs. In a nutshell, these are some of the basic functions of Omega 3’s and 6’s.

Main Functions of Omega 3EFAs:

  • Cell structure and function (central nervous system, brain, eyes & retinal function)
  • Ratio and disposition of blood cholesterol & triglycerides
  • Blood chemistry & clotting mechanism
  • Inflammatory response of the immune system

(More men than women have an O-3 deficiency.  Key symptoms include acne, low sperm count & other testicle problems, dangerous behavior)

Main Functions of Omega 6 EFAs:

  • Cell structure & function (cellular membrane fluidity, flexibility, metabolic function)
  • Dermal fluid permeability and kidney function
  • Endocrine balance (metabolism, immune function, reproduction)
  • Circulation

Contact Benoit Health Education to get omega’s that are tested for purity and strength. We work with Flax Oil, Evening Primrose Oil, Super Omega 3’s and a combination oil called Super Oil. We can help you figure out the best one for your needs.