FitSugar

Test Your Memory

FitSugar — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 07:00:04 -0700

When thinking about diet, it's easy to overlook the brain. But like your heart, the brain needs a healthy diet to function properly. Starving it or feeding it the wrong types of things can lead to memory loss, depression, and a host of brain diseases like Alzheimer's. Do you know what foods make for a happy brain? Take my quiz to find out . . .

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Your Brain on Running

FitSugar — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 03:00:59 -0700

I have read many an article explaining how to run smarter, not harder, but according to a few recent studies discussed on the blog Well, running hard could actually make you smarter. While the majority of the research has been done on rats, both human and animal studies have found that working hard aerobically sharpens the senses and primes the brain for problem solving. When I think about it, the connection between running and thinking seems related to human evolution: run hard from your predator and devise a way to outwit the beast of prey. The scientists working with rats may ask that we don't jump to the conclusion that what works for rats will work for us, but I am adding these studies to my motivational arsenal when it comes time for a tempo run or sprint interval workout.

Obesity Can Lead to Brain Degeneration

FitSugar — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 10:00:58 -0700

Not only can extreme obesity take 10 years off your life, it could also be prematurely aging your brain. According to a new study published in Human Brain Mapping, the brains of obese people look 16 years older than those of lean people, due to eight percent less brain tissue on average. The brains of individuals classified as "overweight" appear eight years older than those of normal-weight people.

Though the study was rather small - 94 brain scans of subjects in their 70s - researchers concluded that the loss of brain tissue due to weight problems could put patients at higher risk of Alzheimer's. According to study author and UCLA neurology professor Paul Thompson, "you can greatly reduce your risk for Alzheimer's, if you can eat healthily and keep your weight under control." So shape up your body, and the mind will follow.

Every day, it seems, we read about another health risk tied to obesity, but this is one of the most surprising I've come across. Does this shock you?

How to Eat to Fuel Your Brain

FitSugar — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 10:00:31 -0700

Feeling mentally hazy in the lazy days of Summer? You need to feed your brain. Fuel it with the right foods and it will run smoothly and consistently. Although eating one single food will not make you a genius, here is some food for thought.

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4 Ways to Eat For Your Brain

FitSugar — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 03:00:00 -0800

Command central of the body, a healthy brain is vital for a healthy life. Of course you want to take care of your gray matter, and one way to do that is to feed it well. Your brain eats up 20 percent of your daily calories, so use these four tips to stay sharp.

In every meal, include healthy carbs such as fruits, veggies, and whole grains. These fuel your brain with the glucose it needs.
Graze throughout the day. Your brain works well on 25 grams of glucose circulating in the bloodstream, which is equal to one banana. For optimum brain function, try eating many smaller meals as opposed to three huge meals.

To find out what other foods benefit your brain read more.

Aim for foods that are low on the glycemic index, since they take longer to break down, keeping the energy supply to your brain steady. If you're feeling sluggish or fuzzy in the head, don't reach for a quick pick-me-up that's made with refined flour or sugar. Have a snack that's high in fiber such as nuts, whole grains, vegetables, and fruits. Couple it with a protein-rich food such as meat or yogurt and you'll feel more alert.
Stick to healthy fats. While trans fat and saturated fat are unhealthy, not all fat is bad. Unsaturated fat is an essential nutrient, so include foods such as olive oil, almonds, peanuts, and avocado. Omega-3s are also a necessity, so eat foods such as tuna, salmon, flaxseeds, soy products, and canola oil.

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Another Reason to Exercise: Keeping Your Wits About You

FitSugar — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 07:30:00 -0700

Did you know that exercise might actually slow the shrinking process of your hippocampus? Huh? Hippo-what? This is good news, I swear, and here's why...

Apparently, the hippocampus is the part of the brain that plays a large role in how mammals create and process memories; it also plays a role in cognition. If your hippocampus is damaged (or shrunken), you most likely have trouble learning facts and forming new memories. For example, a number of studies have shown that people with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia tend to have smaller-than-normal hippocampi. All the mumbo jumbo aside, turns out that shrinkage to parts of the hippocampus can be slowed via, you've guessed it, exercise. So start moving and if not for your health and not your vanity, at least do it to keep your wits about you.

(Points to ponder: Dumb jocks and Mike Tyson.)

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Folic Acid Is Important For the Ladies

FitSugar — Mon, 14 May 2007 16:35:00 -0700

I'm sure you've heard that pregnant women should take folic acid (vitamin B9) to prevent birth defects, but did you know that you should start taking it a month before you conceive?

Folic acid is the synthetic form of folate and it can reduce certain birth defects of the brain and spinal cord by more than 70 percent. These birth defects are called neural tube defects (NTDs). NTDs happen when the neural tube (located along the back of an embryo that later develops into the spinal cord and brain) fails to close properly.

The most common NTD is spina bifida, where the spinal cord and the bones of the spine (vertebrae) don't fully form. This can cause the baby's legs to be paralyzed and they may later develop bladder and bowel control problems. The most serious NTD is called anencephaly, when the baby is born without part of its skull and brain, and eventually dies.

I know it's heartbreaking to think about - that's why it's so important to get your folic acid. If you are pregnant, or trying to conceive, take 600 mcg. If you are nursing, you'll need 500 mcg. It's a good idea for all women over 19 years old to get 400 mcg as well since folic acid is necessary for the production and maintenance of new cells.

You can take a supplement containing folic acid or eat fortified breakfast cereals and pastas that contain 100 percent of the RDI of folic acid. Foods like orange juice, asparagus, broccoli, beans, peas, and leafy green vegetables like spinach are great sources too.

Fit's Tips: Even if you are not actively trying to get pregnant but are still sexually active, it is a good idea to make sure you are getting enough folic acid just in case.

Have You Ever Kept a Health Problem Secret Like TLC's T-Boz

FitSugar — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 08:00:55 -0800

Tionne Watkins is better known to most as T-Boz, and a member of the former girl group TLC. Watkins has been extremely open about the fact that she lives with sickle cell anemia, but I was shocked to hear that she secretly battled a deadly brain tumor that led to a risky surgery.

Watkins discovered the grapefruit-size tumor in 2006 and faced the frustrating challenge of trying to find a doctor who would operate on her. Most doctors refused because of the complications her sickle cell anemia posed, namely lung and heart failure. The tumor was not cancerous, but it was tied to the vestibular nerve which affects balance, facial movements, and hearing.

To learn more about her condition, keep reading.

Tongue Piercings Can Lead to Fatality

FitSugar — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 07:00:26 -0700

Add brain abscesses to the list of dangers associated with getting a tongue piercing. The latest Archives of Neurology details the case of a 22-year-old man who died from multiple lesions on his brain two weeks after getting pierced. Doctors say the man's piercing became infected and the condition spread to his brain.

Tongue piercing does not usually result in fatality, but doctors still warn against it because of the associated risks. Some of the more common risks are chipped teeth, receding gums, and oral infections. Rare cases of toxic shock syndrome and blood poisoning have also been reported.

If you decide on a tongue piercing for yourself, get it done from a professional piercer in a hygienic setting and make sure to care for it properly once home. Also, be prepared for a little hunger - when Drew Barrymore got her tongue pierced, she says she could hardly eat or drink anything for two weeks!

Women's Brains and Migraines

FitSugar — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 02:00:00 -0700

It is no secret that the female brain is different than its male counter part. It seems these differences are giving us headaches, and I mean that literally. Women are 3 times more likely to suffer from migraines. A recent study proved that it isn't all in our heads (figuratively speaking).

Advances in brain imaging technology now suggest that migraines may start as a result of brain excitability. People with migraines show dramatic waves of brain activity that spread across the surface of the brain. This activity is thought to trigger not only the severe pain associated with migraines but also the visual symptoms, dizziness, and difficulty concentrating often associated with migraines. Researchers believe many factors, like genes, hormones, and environmental triggers like stress, diet, and
changes in sleep patterns, may contribute to migraines in both sexes.

For further reading on this topic, check out the article Why Women Have More Migraines than Men at the Science Daily.

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