FitSugar

Maybe Not the Best Choice of Words

GiggleSugar — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 07:00:16 PDT

Let's put aside for a moment the fact that this ad seems to make light of a very serious problem. Because even if this service did work, is making someone who has memory loss forget something really that much of an accomplishment?

Source

Babysugar Diaries: Pregnant Brain Is in Full Effect

babysugar — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 10:00:12 PDT

I have always been a wealth of information on past events in my circle of friends. I can remember names and faces of random acquaintances and happenings from our early years. Two years ago, however, my memory began failing me about the same time my belly began to grow a baby.

When scientists came out with a study proving that pregnant women experience more memory loss than a typical person, I was relieved. Unfortunately, I am going through the same process this time around. Instead of recalling my favorite honeymoon restaurant, my brain works over time to store information on preschools, grocery lists, and doctor's appointments.

I am wondering where this will leave me in another six months. Will I have half the memory I once had? In the meantime, I am using it to my advantage. Last night I "forgot" to make a delicious dinner for my family and had to order take–out.
Source

Study Reports Maternity Memory Loss

babysugar — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 06:00:27 PST

A while back I wrote about having mush brain when I was pregnant. Now there is scientific evidence to show I wasn't alone.

A new Australian study published in the Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology, found that pregnant women experience memory loss during pregnancy and it often lingers after the birth.

To learn about the researchers' findings,

One of the Australian researchers behind the study, Dr. Julie Henry said:

What we found is that memory tasks which are more challenging or more novel, or those that would require multitasking -- these types of tasks are likely to be disrupted. For example, a pregnant woman is more likely to forget a new telephone number, but she is able to recall a number she has dialed many times before.

While the researchers don't know what causes the lapse in memory, there are a few theories. One is that pregnant or new mamas are typically dealing with a significant hormonal change. Some believe it's the lack of sleep that expectant women and new mums experience. Others question whether the new lifestyle has caused the brain's focus to shift.

The study evaluated 14 reports that measured the memory performance of more than 1,000 women – mothers, pregnant women and non–pregnant women from various countries and cultures.

Source

Coffee Round Up

FitSugar — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 02:00:00 PDT

Caffeine and my favorite method of loading up with caffeine, coffee, have been in the news a lot recently. So I thought I should review a few reasons why NOT to give up the bean.

I know that eye twitches really work your nerves, so when I saw this headline I knew I had to share it. Drinking coffee may prevent eyelid twitch. Pretty cool to know that drinking a regular cup of joe regularly can prevent the eye twitching condition know in medical circles as "blepharospasm." If you already have chronic eye twitches downing java will not create a cure, coffee is merely a preventative measure. Since this study is Italian, maybe we should all celebrate with an espresso!

A recent French study found that drinking three or more daily cups of coffee or tea may help women preserve their memory. Participants in the study took several tests over the course of four years. The women who stated they drank at least three cups of coffee or tea per day showed less of a drop in test scores during the study, than their non-caffeine drinking counterparts. So let's celebrate with a cafe au lait!

Other coffee news that might perk you up:
Coffee and working out may help prevent skin cancer
Coffee may decrease your chances of developing liver cancer
Coffee may help ease post workout pain

Relax Already: Chronic Worrying Can Lead to Memory Loss

FitSugar — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 02:00:00 PDT

If you feel like a stress case now, I just want to let you know that it could affect how well your memory functions in your future. Not that I want to add to your worries, I just provide another reason why it is important to keep your attitude in check.

A recent study followed 1,256 men and women, all who were nearly 77 years old for over 12 years. Participants received medical and mental evaluations annually. Those participants with the highest degree of psychological distress (negative emotions) were about 42% more likely to develop mild cognitive impairment. The impairment was not severe enough to be diagnosed as dementia, but marked enough to be noticed and labeled "develop mild cognitive impairment." The connection between stress and memory was more marked in men than women, although the reasons for the difference remain unclear.

Since people's basic tendency toward negative emotions doesn't shift drastically over short periods of time, it is good to start cultivating a positive attitude and learning techniques for dealing with stress. If you are looking for some ideas on how to relax, here are a few different ideas for you to check out.

Up and at 'Em! Calorie Burners For Memorial Day

Michele Foley — Fri, 25 May 2012 18:14:24 PDT

Memorial Day is more than just good barbecue! Why not throw in some fun activities so those treats don't expand your waistline? Here are a handful of ways to burn at least 200 calories this holiday. The best part is that they are all fun group activities, so it won't feel like you are working out at all!

Calories burned based on a 130-pound woman. Calculate a more accurate burn stat for your weight and height with our Calorie Burn tool.

Why Everyone (Even 20-Somethings) Should Make a Will

Business Insider — Tue, 22 May 2012 00:15:44 PDT

Getting a will is not just for those who are on the cusp of retiring. People of all ages should consider writing one, says Business Insider. Here's why.

Despite the well-known fact that everyone alive today will kick the bucket at one point or another, nearly 60 percent of Americans admitted in a 2011 poll conducted by online legal service Rocket Lawyer that they didn't have a will.

In fact, one-third said they'd rather do their taxes, get a root canal, or give up sex for a month than lay out their dying wishes in black and white.

All right, let's not get out of hand now.

Making a will these days is easier than ever, and if you've been putting it off simply because it seems daunting, then you could be making a big mistake.

"You do it for your family's [future]," says Rocket Lawyer founder Charley Moore. "[A will] enables you to start thinking about issues like whether you have the right insurance coverage, life insurance, and ways of replacing your lost income."

Whether you're 22 years old and just ran your umpteenth marathon or you're ready to retire, laying out an estate plan should definitely be near the top of your to-do list.

It's one of the three most important documents every adult should have.

Here are the other two, according to Moore:

A living will: Also called an advanced healthcare directive, a living will is where you lay out all the nuts and bolts of your end-of-life care. If you wind up in a coma or unresponsive in the hospital, then a living will can help your family decide how to handle your medical treatment.

Durable power of attorney: Choose an attorney you trust to administer your estate after your death, says Moore. He or she will be objective (unlike family members), and their entire job is to follow your wishes.

Read on for more.

It's Two Weeks Until Beach Time: Here's Your Plan

Leta Shy — Mon, 14 May 2012 03:05:00 PDT

OK, ladies, it's time to get serious. If you're planning on losing a few pounds before you hit the beach this Memorial Day, you've got two weeks to plan. Read on: we've got some no-fail tips for you to tone up and lose weight in two weeks.

Sugar Shout Out: Find Out the Fate of Your Favorite TV Shows

Katie Henry — Wed, 16 May 2012 23:55:09 PDT

High-Fructose Corn Syrup Makes You Stupid, Omega-3s Make You Smart

Leta Shy — Wed, 16 May 2012 14:56:36 PDT

As if you needed another reminder to stop eating processed foods: a new study has found that foods high in high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) can make you stupid. But there's good news, too: eating foods high in omega-3s can help combat loss of brain function.

The study looked at different groups of rats that had been trained on a maze. After a few days on the maze, some of the rats were fed an HFCS-sweetened solution as their drinking water for six weeks, with some also receiving a diet high in omega-3s. After the diet, the rats were tested on how well they could recall the maze. The researchers found that the rats who ate the omega-3 diet were faster at completing the maze than the other rats, whether or not they were also given HFCS. Not only that, but the rats given the HFCS and not omega-3s were the slowest at completing the maze, and their brains showed a decline in activity and memory function.

This latest lab study is yet more evidence that processed foods can mess with our minds (other studies, for example, have linked fast food to depression) and that a diet high in omega-3s can help protect your brain from aging and mental decline. Ready to swap that fast-food burger for a mind-sharpening meal instead? Here's a list of vegan sources of omega-3s and five staples of the omega-3-rich Mediterranean diet.