Category: Diet
Jul 12 | Nutrition for Optimal Brain Function
Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) may be important for brain activity involved with cognitive functions in healthy boys, investigators found in a new clinical trial. Previous research indicated that DHA is important for the development of cognitive function in the brain.
This study analyzed the effects of DHA supplementation on brain activity. In this study, 33 healthy boys, whose ages ranged from 8-10 years old, were supplemented with 400 mg per day, 1200mg per day of DHA or a placebo for 8 weeks. Brain activity was evaluated using fMRI at the beginning of the study and again after 8 weeks of supplementation. The subjects were also evaluated for DHA levels, which were measured in the red blood cells (erythrocytes) at the beginning of the study and again after 8 weeks.
The results showed that the red blood cell DHA levels were higher in the boys supplemented with DHA compared to the placebo group. The boys that received the higher dose of DHA experienced an increase of 70% in erythrocyte DHA, while the boys who received the lower dose of DHA experienced a 47% increase and the placebo group had an 11% reduction in levels of DHA in their red blood cells.
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May 25 | Concord Grape Juice Improves Memory
Polyphenols are plant-based dietary compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. These properties reduce the ongoing damage to the DNA in our cells. Polyphenols have, therefore, been the subject of intense research as potential prevention agents for a variety of human ailments, including cardiovascular disease, dementia, and cancer.
Rich sources of polyphenols are found naturally in most blue and red berries, grapes (including red wine), pomegranates, walnuts, peanuts, olive oil, green tea, dark chocolate and cocoa, coffee, and beer.
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The brain's memory area is called hippocampus. When there is destructive inflammation in the brain's memory center, memory loss is experienced. Over time, inflammation in the brain can cause significant memory loss. This can accelerate dementia or cause one to have magnified depressed feelings. All of this could play a roll in the onset of Alzheimer's disease.
Why is celery an important roll in prevention of memory loss?
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Meet Jan Van Blarcum | Founder
In 1999, Jan Van Blarcum, Ph.D. founded Creative Tutors. As an educator, Dr. Van Blarcum understood the importance of personalized attention in a child's educational growth. Her passion for learning grew into a business endeavor that provides customized, one-on-one, in-home tutoring to children with a variety of learning needs. Every child receives personalized attention from certified/degreed educators. Jan has acquired invaluable experience through living abroad, teaching in many educational environments and has acquired business development experience. These unique experiences, coupled with her fervent desire to provide all children with the tools needed to achieve their potential in today's educational environment, led her to establish Creative Tutors and their sister organization Creative Learning 4 Kids, Inc. a 501(c)(3) company.
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