holistic healing

Improve Your Memory 

To keep our muscles in shape, we need to exercise them this also applies to the brain muscle. Yaakov Stern, PhD, professor of clinical neuropsychology in New York, says that people with no social life or boring jobs are more likely to develop some form of dementia as they age.

Mental, physical, and social exercises are imperative for maintaining cognitive function. By challenging our brains daily, more blood flows into different regions of the brain, forming new connections. Think of it as mental jumping jacks. Try something new&learn another language, solve a word puzzle, tackle some Sudoku, join a book club or other social group, or engage in a different exercise activity, such as tai chi.

For those worried about memory loss or already experiencing it, there is a program called Cognitive Retention Therapy™ (CRT), which stimulates and reinforces existing memories. CRT helps stroke and dementia patients and those with early to midstage Alzheimer's. The program technique is noninvasive and can be used with or without medication.

The new strategies taught to help recall important information are also beneficial to individuals who are merely interested in maintaining a healthy brain to lead a connected and fulfilling life. For more information, visit gencaresolutions.com.

Rita Bayer

More Than Just Brain Food

Most of us are well aware of the importance of providing our bodies with fish oils, also referred to as brain food, which supply us with the essential fatty acids (EFAs) omega-3 and omega-6 that our bodies cannot produce.

In addition to its dietary benefit, omega-3 is used as supplemental therapy for treating heart disease, allergies, rheumatoid arthritis, ADHD, certain skin conditions, and diabetes. But did you know it can also help relieve chronic neck and low back pain?

A study published in Surgical Neurology (April 2006) showed that participants suffering from nonsurgical neck or back pain experienced improvement from supplementing with 1,200 to 2,400 mg of omega-3 per day. After an average of 75 days of supplementation, 59 percent of the respondents discontinued taking their prescription nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAIDs) pain medications; 60 percent experienced less joint pain; 80 percent expressed satisfaction with their improvement; and 88 percent stated they would continue taking fish oil.

If you suffer from chronic neck or back pain, be proactive and talk to your health care practitioner about the safer alternative of supplementing with fish oil. What have you
got to lose?

R.B.