Health & Fitness

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Sunday Guardian www.guardian.co.tt August/September, 2012

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I N S I D E

Health News:

The Human body Physiology of the Brain The Brain Up Close The Medicine Cabinet Gingko for Memory Workout Tips and Tactics When we Keep forgetting...

Nutrition and diet Brain Foods Energy Vibe Brain Games Being Well The Distress of Dementia What Does That Do? TRX Fitness Trivia

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Obesity ‘bad for brain'

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by hastening cognitive decline

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Editor’s Note Hello my dear readers, and welcome to another installation of Health and Fitness.

I must say that I had no idea what I was getting into when I decided to make the human brain this month’s focus, simply because it’s an organ that’s not so readily understood. However, given its many complexities, it definitely makes for some interesting reading, which I hope that you will enjoy.

Thus, we are tackling the brain from all corners, beginning with its physiology and ending with a short quiz. In between you’re sure to learn about what foodstuffs constitute “brain food”, find out about ginkgo biloba and what fun methods exist to keep your brain active and sharp. (I know I certainly will be taking lots of advice from here!)

So relax and enjoy this month’s issue, my friends – it’s literally ‘good for the brain’!

Halcian N. Pierre Associate Editor Special Publications Unit

Being overweight is not just bad for waistlines but for brains too, say researchers who have linked obesity to declining mental performance.

Experts are not sure why this might be, but say metabolic changes such as high blood sugar and raised cholesterol are likely to be involved.

Obesity has already been tipped as a risk factor for dementia.

The work, published in Neurology, tracked the health of more than 6,000 British people over a decade.

The participants, who were aged between 35 and 55, took tests on memory and other cognitive skills three times over a 10-year period. People who were both obese and who had unhealthy metabolic changes showed a much faster decline on their cognitive test scores compared to others in the study.

Delving deeper SPECIAL PUBLICATIONS UNIT (SPU) SPU Producer: Tracey Alonzo Head of Design: Marketing/SPU: Denise Baptiste Associate Editors: SPU: Lisa Jessamy, Halcian Pierre Contributors: Akiela Hope, Bavina Sookdeo, Christy De Souza Rodney Granado and Kaelanne Jordan Design/Layout: Sean Simon, Sean Farrell, Psyche Mitchell Special Publications enquiries: spu1 @guardian.co.tt

Sales

Sales Manager: Business Development Manager SPU: Health and Fitness Account Executive:

DISCLAIMER

George Elias george.elias@guardian.co.tt Sonja Romany sonja.romany@guardian.co.tt Carmen Little carmslittle@gmail.com

The information provided in this magazine, such as text, graphics, images, is for informational purposes only. It is not to be construed as medical care or medical advice and is not a replacement for medical care given by physicians or trained medical personnel unless stated otherwise. Health and Fitness writers do not directly or indirectly practice medicine, nor do we dispense medical advice, diagnosis, treatment or any other medical service. Research is provided through various sources including medical professional. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider(s) when experiencing symptoms or health problems, or before starting any new treatment. Health and Fitness Magazine is not to be held responsible for any inaccuracies, omissions, or editorial errors, or for any consequences resulting from the information provided. It is your responsibility to evaluate the information we provide. If you are a consumer, you should evaluate the information together with your physician or another qualified health care professional.

If you are a health care professional, you should exercise your professional judgment in evaluating any information, and we encourage you to confirm the information contained in our magazine with other sources before undertaking any treatment or action based on it. If you are interested in contributing to this magazine, kindly email us at spu1@guardian.co.tt.

The experts stress that they only looked at cognitive function, not dementia.

The boundary between normal ageing, mild cognitive impairment and dementia is blurred - not all impairment

leads to dementia. All of the study participants came from one group of civil service workers, which may mean the findings may not apply more generally to other populations.

They said: "More research is needed to look at the effects of genetic factors and also to take into account how long people have been obese and how long they have had these metabolic risk factors and also to look at cognitive test scores spanning adulthood to give us a better understanding of the link between obesity and cognitive function, such as thinking, reasoning and memory."

Shirley Cramer of the Alzheimer's Research UK said: "We do not yet know why obesity and metabolic abnormality are linked to poorer brain performance, but with obesity levels on the rise, it will be important to delve a little deeper into this association.

"While the study itself focuses on cognitive decline, previous research suggests that a healthy diet, regular exercise, not smoking and controlling blood pressure and cholesterol in midlife can also help stave off dementia.

With dementia figures spiralling towards a million, the findings suggest we should be conscious of our general health throughout life."

New Health Innovations Come to T&T to Address Un-Met Healthcare Needs and Lower Infection Rates — Innovative Medical, Inc. along with MedCort, Inc. Partners RENTON, WA August 17, 2012

As hospitals and patients struggle to reduce hospital acquired infections (HAI’s) and infections at home, one company has introduced an innovative product called LiquaShield (www.LiquaShield.com) to address this need.

MedCort Inc. is a design and manufacturing company specialising in innovative products for the healthcare and consumer market. MedCort’s flagship product LiquaShield provides water resistant protection for showering. Patients that have a PICC line, central line, dialysis catheter or a port will be able to safely shower without risking infection from waterborne pathogens.

The product is a waterproof, latex free clear film with a medical grade adhesive tape around the perimeter that is water resistant when in contact with the skin.

Because the adhesive tape is on the outside perimeter of the film, it will not compromise or adhere to the catheter, PICC line or primary dressing.

Patients or nurses can apply the product in less than a minute; enjoying the freedom and comfort in the ability to shower safely, with reduced risk of infection.

MedCort is pleased to announce that it has partnered with innovative Medical, Inc. (www.innovativemedicalinc.com) to bring LiquaShield into the Caribbean, Central American and South American markets where this need is not being met.

Quote of the Day:

Pour some water into a tub and stir it up. Now try as hard as you can to water with your hands; you will succeed in agitating it further. ?Let it turbed a while, and it will calm down by itself. The human brain works m same way.

4 THE HUMAN BODY

The

brain up close AMYGDALA: Lying deep in the centre of the limbic emotional brain, this powerful structure, the size and shape of an almond, is constantly alert to the needs of basic survival including sex and emotional reactions such as anger and fear. Consequently, it inspires aversive cues (such as sweaty palms) and has recently been associated with a range of mental conditions including depression and even autism. It is larger in male brains, often enlarged in the brains of sociopaths and it shrinks in the elderly.

BRAIN STEM: This part of the brain connects to the spinal cord. The brain stem controls functions basic to the survival of all animals such as heart rate, breathing, digesting foods and sleeping. It is the lowest, most primitive area of the human brain.

CEREBELLUM: Two peach-size mounds of folded tissue located at the top of the brain stem, the cerebellum is the guru of skilled, coordinated movement (e.g., returning a tennis serve) and is involved in some learning pathways.

Physiology of the Brain Christy De Souza

The brain is the most complex organ of the human body and perhaps the most remarkable. Weighing in at around three pounds (1.5kg), this jellylike mass of tissue is larger than expected on the basis of body size when compared to other primates and contains a whopping 100 billion nerve cells or neurons. The brain is responsible for a wide range of mental faculties and bodily functions all of which involve complicated connections, receptors and chemical messengers which dictate that which we do, think, believe and feel.

With regards to mental functions, neurons play a vital role, in that their connectivity through structures called synapses is constantly changing for every second of our lives and therefore, no two brains are alike. It is in these changing connections that memories are stored, habits learned and personalities shaped, by reinforcing certain patterns of brain activity, and losing others.

The signals pass between neurons through the release and capture of neurotransmitter and neuromodulator chemicals, such as glutamate, dopamine, acetylcholine, noradrenalin, serotonin and endorphins.

These neurochemicals are so important that deficiencies in them are linked to certain diseases. For example, a loss of dopamine in the basal ganglia, which control movements, leads to Parkinson's

disease. It can also increase susceptibility to addiction because it mediates our sensations of reward and pleasure.

Similarly, a deficiency in serotonin, used by regions involved in emotion, can be linked to depression or mood disorders, and the loss of acetylcholine in the cerebral cortex is characteristic of Alzheimer's disease.

Equally important are the areas of the brain responsible for our motor functions. The ability to talk, gesture or walk are activities that a healthy individual may take for granted but when considering the complexities involved in something as simple as pouring a glass of water, it quickly becomes clear that the brain deserves much credit. Not only does your brain have to figure out which muscles to contract and in which order to steer your hand to the glass, it also has to estimate the force needed to pick up the glass. Other factors, like how much water is in the glass and what material the glass is made from, also influence the brain’s calculations. Not surprisingly, there are many anatomical regions which are involved in motor function, the primary area of the brain responsible for such being the primary motor cortex which generates neural impulses that control the execution of movement.

Although well protected by the thick bones of the skull, suspended in cerebrospinal fluid, and isolated from the bloodstream by the blood–brain barrier, the human brain is susceptible to many

types of damage and disease. The most common type of physical damage results from close head injuries. A stroke or exposure to poisoning chemicals that can act as neurotoxins can also cause severe damage to the brain. The human brain is also susceptible to degenerative disorders, such as Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, and Alzheimer's disease.

It is therefore necessary that precautionary measures are taken to protect this vital organ. Simple safeguards such as wearing protective head gear whilst cycling; riding a motor bike or working on a construction site may protect the brain from any unforeseen accidents.

Nature also provides its own protection for the well-being of the brain through certain vitamins found in foods. Omega 3 which is found in fatty fish such as tuna, sardine and salmon, has been linked to better cognitive functioning, and vitamin E has been found to act as “a protective antioxidant in brain disorders,” (Aimee Shunney, ND) and can be found in foods such as almonds, hazelnuts and whole-grain flour.

Today’s medical research however does not always agree with tomorrow’s as much research is still being done on the maintenance and improvement of brain health and brain function but one thing is for certain: healthy eating habits and a healthy lifestyle always does the body good, which of course includes that very extraordinary organ, the brain.

CEREBRUM: This is the largest brain structure in humans and accounts for about two-thirds of the brain’s mass. It is divided into two sides — the left and right hemispheres—that are separated by a deep groove down the centre from the back of the brain to the forehead.

These two halves are connected by long neuron branches called the corpus callosum which is relatively larger in women’s brains than in men’s. The cerebrum is positioned over and around most other brain structures, and its four lobes are specialised by function but are richly connected.

The outer 3 millimetres of “gray matter” is the cerebral cortex which consists of closely packed neurons that control most of our body functions, including the mysterious state of consciousness, the senses, the body’s motor skills, reasoning and language.

• The Frontal Lobe is the most recently-evolved part of the brain and the last to develop in young adulthood.

It’s dorso-lateral prefrontal circuit is the brain’s top executive. It organises responses to complex problems, plans steps to an objective, searches memory for relevant experience, adapts strategies to accommodate new data, guides behaviour with verbal skills and houses working memory. Its orbitofrontal circuit manages emotional impulses in socially appropriate ways for productive behaviours including empathy, altruism and interpretation of facial expressions. Stroke in this area typically releases foul language and fatuous behaviour patterns.

• The Temporal Lobe controls memory storage area, emotion, hearing, and, on the left side, language.

• The Parietal Lobe receives and processes sensory information from the body including calculating location and speed of objects.

• The Occipital Lobe processes visual data and routes it to other parts of the brain for identification and storage.

HIPPOCAMPUS: Found deep within the brain, it processes new memories for long-term storage. If you didn't have it, you couldn't live in the present; you'd be stuck in the past of old memories. It is among the first functions to falter in cases of Alzheimer's.

HYPOTHALAMUS: Located at the base of the brain where signals from the brain and the body’s hormonal system interact, the hypothalamus maintains the body’s status quo. It monitors numerous bodily functions such as blood pressure and body temperature, as well as controlling body weight and appetite.

THALAMUS: Situated at the top of the brain stem, the thalamus acts as a two-way relay station, sorting, processing, and directing signals from the spinal cord and mid-brain structures up to the cerebrum and, conversely, from the cerebrum down the spinal cord to the nervous system.

August/September, 2012 www.guardian.co.tt Sunday Guardian

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6

The Medicine Cabinet

Ginkgo Biloba for Memory

By Bavina Sookdeo

So you’re standing in front of the refrigerator and you’re hoping whatever you wanted just jumps out at you because you just can’t seem to remember what you’re looking for.

Sounds familiar? Well, it could be early onset Alzheimer’s or it could simply mean that you need some ginkgo biloba.

Ginkgo biloba, according to Botanical.com is “the oldest living tree on the planet that’s been used safely for over 3000 years”. The site also notes that the plant “was nearly wiped out during the Ice Age everywhere except in China.” Over the years many people have claimed that ginkgo is like a miracle worker.

Besides memory loss, many have claimed that they used it to treat anxiety and depression, poor circulation, vertigo, tinnitus, inner ear disturbances, headaches, fatigue, dizziness, asthma, bronchitis and many other diseases and disorders.

Ginkgo biloba extract (which is what we take) comes from the leaves of the ginkgo biloba tree. After the ginkgo biloba leaves have been harvested, they are dried and used to create the popular extract.

According to Natasha Singh, a pharmacist at the Montrose Pharmacy which has been in existence since 1962, “Ginkgo is a very good product.” Singh disclosed to Health & Fitness that the Montrose Pharmacy mostly sells ginkgo biloba “to students (especially around exam time), police officers and security guards. They have a lot of long nights and they say that the ginkgo helps them to stay alert and keeps them focused. A lot of stroke patients also purchase ginkgo biloba as the extract is good in the treatment of such patients.” How does she prescribe the ginkgo to them? “One can start taking ginkgo from the age of 18. Adults (over 21) should take it twice daily but the 18 to 21-year-olds should take it once daily” Singh explained.

But how exactly does this wonder herb work? As Singh stated “Ginkgo basically increases and promotes blood circulation to the brain therefore keeping you alert and giving you a lot of energy.”

The website http://www.damicon.ti/sd/gingkobiloba.html confirms what Singh, a pharmacist for over 16 years, said and also states that “Taking Gingko biloba extract promotes the elasticity and strength in the blood vessels and capillary walls which strengthens the cardiovascular system, reducing tendency for clots. The antioxidant component of gingko biloba extract inhibits platelet aggregation, thinning the blood inside arterial walls which helps the walls retain flexibility hindering the formation of arteriosclerositic plaque.” Additionally, ginkgo biloba scavenges free-radicals that can damage cells and accelerate aging. It explains “The flavonoids in gingko are effective free-radical scavengers. As a free-radical scavenger, ginkgo biloba extract helps to attack free radicals which themselves destroy particular cells.

For example, visual cells are destroyed by free radicals in senile macular degeneration. So ginkgo biloba extract helps prevent ‘aging’ by destroying free radicals.”

While Singh pointed out that she has not received many complaints about the wonder drug, one Herbalist who has been practicing for over 20 years did note that several users complain of headaches. He also warned that there are many “quacks” calling themselves herbalists and one should be careful when going to them for advice. He insisted, “Please ensure you see a certified herbalist for advice on herbs.”

Ginkgo biloba has been proven to work for many people over centuries.

If you do consider trying the extract just remember that while many claim the miracle extract works in two weeks, it can take up to 12 weeks for others to see improvement.

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7

Amazing Herbs We are pleased to introduce the Amazing Herbs Black Seed Oil and Herbal Supplements to the public.

Amazing Herbs was the first company to introduce Black Seed to the health and nutritional market in the 1990's. Since then, it’s known as the world’s leading authority on Black Seed and manufactures a full range of Health & Nutritional products which are distributed exclusively by Azhara Health & Beauty for the Caribbean Market.

The Amazing Herbs product line offers remedies for the following conditions: Immune Support, Allergy & Respiratory Support, Cardiovascular Support, Men Health & Women’s Health, Detoxification & Digestive Support, Diabetic & Joint Support, Memory and Weight Loss.

Black seed also called ‘Nigella Sativa’ or the ‘Blessed Seed’ as referred by the Prophet Mohammed (p.b.u.h.), works by assisting the body in its own natural healing processes. It has an unprecedented strengthening effect on the immune system and works in a host of other ways to promote optimum health & well being.

Amazingly, Black Seed's chemical composition is very rich and diverse. Aside from its primary ingredient crystalline nigellone, Black Seed contains 15 amino acids, proteins, carbohydrates, both fixed oils (84% fatty acids, including linolenic and oleic and volatile oils), alkaloids, saponin and crude fiber, as well as minerals such as calcium, iron, sodium and potassium.

Black Seed is used as an Antihistamine, Anti-tumour, Antibacterial, Anti-inflammatory, Anti-Microbial, Anti-Pyretic, Anti-Spasmodic, Carminative, Diaphoretic, Diuretic, Digestive, Emmenagouge, Galactagouge, Hypotensive, Immunomodulator, Laxative and as an antioxidant and provides a relief for a multitude of ailments as it’s referred to as “a cure for every ailment”.

8 WORKOUT TIPS AND TACTICS

When we

Keep

Whilst several repetitions of squats may result in a firmer looking gluteus maximus, specific mental exercises may produce strengthened recall and attention span.

Forgetting…

By Christy De Souza

In our modern day society we are constantly bombarded with information on how to become healthier, fitter and most importantly, slimmer human beings. Good health is almost always asso-

ciated with an image of a toned male or female physique and so we tend to link leanness with wellness and may sometimes forget the importance of what lies beneath our external selves. Just as we do physical exercises to maintain the good health of our bodies, so too does the brain require such attention in order to preserve mental fitness.

Whilst several repetitions of squats

may result in a firmer looking gluteus maximus, specific mental exercises may produce strengthened recall and attention span.

One such brain work-out developed for this purpose are mnemonics, which are a variety of devices to help us remember. Mnemonics can be used to assist in memorization in different subject areas of study. In music, the order of sharps, called the “circle of fifths” (F, C, G, D, A, E, B) can be recalled by memorizing the phrase “Father Charles Goes Down And Ends Battles”, whereas in spelling, you’ll never forget how to spell “Rhythm” if you remember the phrase “Rhythm Helps Your Two Hips Move”. Why mnemonics work so well is because they add associations and create patterns, which makes the material more meaningful, they allow for cross-referencing of information in different parts of the memory and they also typically involve visuals which help to make facts more vivid.

Memory, however is just one aspect of the very complex human brain, therefore exercises have also been developed to enhance even the physiological features.

For example, to strengthen neural connections, one can attempt to use their opposite hand to do tasks such as brushing one’s teeth, dialing on the phone or even controlling the computer mouse.

Just as you may find it difficult to do your

first push-up after months of not working out, you should find it equally awkward to do these exercises as your brain is learning a new skill. There are also activities which benefit both the body and the mind such as yoga, latin dancing and sculpting which challenge the brain to learn new and novel tasks. Clay and play dough modeling are especially good for children as it develops their agility and hand-brain coordination.

Another activity that helps to exercise and develop the brain from which the entire family can benefit is travel. From visits to the local zoo to overseas excursions, travel creates an opportunity for the brain to be stimulated by new sounds, images, cultures, tastes and languages. New experiences can spur changes in the organization of neural connections in the brain, and in the case of children, help to create those connections. A common mistake is to underestimate an infant’s need for travel in assuming that he/she would not remember the trip anyway; the brain is constantly at work from birth to death, and therefore needs to be stimulated throughout our lives.

The brain is responsible for much that is vital to a happy existence; the very way in which we structure our lives and perceive our experiences is due to this organ and therefore that which we expose ourselves to can contribute to the good or even bad health of the brain. So whilst someone may never pay you the compliment, “Wow! You have one great looking brain!” the well-being of the brain should not be taken for granted because like the muscles of the body, it too can grow lax if it isn’t exercised regularly.

August/September, 2012 www.guardian.co.tt Sunday Guardian

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10

Nutrition and Diet

Brain Foods

By Pamela Harding

From berries to oysters, these 8 brain foods are proven to boost memory, help us think clearly, and contribute to overall good health.

The old maxim "You are what you eat," turns out to be true. New research on so-called "brain foods" shows that some chemicals in the foods we eat go right to our brain cells.

Sounds pretty powerful.

But can food really make us more intelligent, give us smarter kids, improve memory, help us think more clearly, and maybe even forestall those so-called "senior moments," or worse, dementia?

The answer is a qualified "yes." Although no one "miracle" food is going to boost your brain power instantly, make your kid a genius, or cure Alzheimer's, regularly adding certain foods to your diet will help you function at your personal best, both physically and mentally, throughout your lifetime.

Berries are full of memory-boosting nutrients. Here's how they work: When we talk about getting "rusty" at certain tasks, we may not be far off. Oxidation, the process that causes metal to rust, can also damage brain cells. This oxidative stress as it's called, plays a part in many diseases associated with aging from dementia and Alzheimer's to Parkinson's.

Berries Getting beneficial anti-oxidative compounds like vitamins C, E, beta-carotene and other nutrients through food may help prevent, or at least curtail, the damage, because they can disarm potentially cell-injuring free radicals circulating throughout the system.

Research has shown that beneficial chemicals called ellagatannis in raspberries, strawberries and blueberries are also found right in the hippocampus, the brain's memory control centre. Talk about a direct hit!

Blueberries also contain proanthocyanins, which gravitate toward the striatum, which is more closely related to spatial memory. Scientists believe that that these compounds may enhance the performance of those parts of the brain, and indeed, actual animal studies have substantiated the evidence that they do improve memory.

Cherries Cherries are nature's own little anti-inflammatory pills. They contain Cox 2 inhibitors similar to those found in pain medications such as Vioxx and Celebrex, but they also contain compounds called polyphenols that keep platelets in the blood from clumping together, so they don't produce undesirable side effects— like heart attacks and strokes—which are risks associated with the manufactured drugs. Isn't Mother Nature clever?

Apples That old adage about "an apple a day" is right on target. Turns out that apples contain a group of chemicals that could protect the brain from the type of damage that triggers neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. One of those compounds, a flavonoid called quercetin, has been shown to protect the brain from oxidative injury in animal studies. Other chemicals such as phenolic acids and different flavonoids protect the apple itself against damage by bacteria, viruses and fungi—and if they protect the fruit, just imagine what they can do for us! Studies suggest that eating apples not only may help reduce the risk of cancer, but diminish the risk

of neurodegenerative disorders too.

Curry Turmeric, the yellow spice found in many curries, contains curcumin, which also has powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It may even prove useful in treating Alzheimer's; one study showed a reduction in beta amyloid deposits, the plaques associated with the disease, in the brains of animals fed curcumin-enhanced food. In another study, elderly people who ate curry often or very often did better on tests of mental performance than those who never or rarely ate curry.

Eggs The egg has gotten bad press because of its cholesterol-rich yolk and the associations between dietary cholesterol and heart disease. However, that same yolk contains one of the most important nutrients for building better brains: choline.

Getting adequate amounts of choline, especially early in life—during fetal development and early childhood—may help us learn more readily and also help us retain what we learn. What's more, sufficient choline intake early on may give us the mental building

blocks we need to help keep memory intact as we age.

Sardines We've all heard that fish is "brain food," and there's good reason for it. Fatty fish like budget-friendly sardines contain omega-3 fatty acids, which are thought to be instrumental in maintaining brain function from early development throughout life. DHA, an omega-3, is present right in the brain, so having those good-for-you omega-3s in your diet is thought to boost brain function.

In addition, components of fatty acids in fish go straight to the synapses of nerve cells, so they play an important role in how neurons communicate with one another, which may have a positive effect throughout life on learning and memory.

Oysters Speaking of seafood as brain food, consider the oyster, which is one food rich in both iron and zinc. If your mind wanders or you have memory lapses here and there, you may need more of the minerals zinc and iron in your diet.

A lot of research has linked decreased iron and zinc levels with poorer mental

performance in children, but newer studies on adults suggest these elements help keep grown-ups' minds sharp as well. In those studies, marginally low iron reserves reduced adults' ability to concentrate, and lower levels of zinc slowed test participants' ability to recall words.

Cocoa When it's time for a treat, chocolate is not a bad way to go, for your brain as well as your taste buds. Several studies have shown that eating flavonol-rich cocoa can improve blood vessel function, boosting circulation throughout the body and blood flow to the brain. The beneficial compounds found in cocoa may even reduce the formation of damaging clots, which may cause heart attacks and strokes.

However, while cocoa, the ingredient that carries "chocolate" flavour, is rich in beneficial compounds, it's often combined with high-fat ingredients in chocolate bars and other desserts, so it's best to keep chocolate treats to a healthy minimum.

Info: country beliefnet.com

11

Speeding Mental Function with Patented Ginkgold® New medical research from the University of Virginia and Liberty University shows Nature’s Way Gingkold® improves the speed of mental processing in healthy older adults. Researchers examined the effectiveness of taking 180 mg per day (three tablets) on the mental function of healthy people aged 55 to 86 years old.

Forty people (21 men and 19 women) completed the double blind, placebo controlled study involving a series of cognitive tests. After six weeks, Gingkold® users rated their overall ability to remember things as “improved”. Study participants taking Gingkold® also showed greater improvement in mental processing speed and performed betting

in tests assessing visuomotor scanning, complex cognitive processing and overall cognitive flexibility.

Endorsed by Medical Experts “We chose Nature’s Way Gingkold® because it has undergone considerable clinical research and has excellent bioavailability,” stated Dr. Joseph Mix, Associate Professor of Health Sciences

at Liberty University. Fr Meinhard Kieser, co-author of another major Ginkgo biloba clinical study, commented: “Previous U.S. research comparing Gingkold® against other extracts showed that only Gingkold® increased activity in all areas of the brain. This Virginia study again refers to ‘synergistic effect’ that relate to the multiple constituents of the total [Gingkold®] extract. Other Ginkgo biloba extracts do not have the same composition as Gingkold® and the results of this and other studies cannot be extrapolated to any other product.”

The Gingkold® Difference No other herbal supplement has the extensive pedigree of clinical research, professional endorsement and consumer usage as the Gingkold® extract.

Gingkold® is the world’s bestselling and most widely recommended Ginkgo biloba extract. In fact, it is endorsed by health care professionals in over 70 countries worldwide.

Clinically Researched Over 35 years of extensive research and 400 published scientific and clinical studies substantiate the effectiveness of Gingkold®. In 1977, a breakthrough U.S. study using Gingkold® was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). The study was titles: “A Placebo-Controlled, Double-blind, Randomized Trial of an Extract of Gingko Biloba for Dementia.” It was the subject of intense media coverage and resulted in unprecedented growth in consumer usage.

Patented Extraction Gingkold® is a patented extract (U.S. Patent #5399348) that uniquely contains 20 active and co-active constituents in their clinically proven ratios. No other Gingko extract contains the same complexity or breadth of active and coactive ingredients.

Activates the Entire Brain The comparative study mentioned by Dr. Kieser used sophisticated CEEG brain mapping technology to clearly demonstrate that the unique Gingkold® extract increases activity in all areas of the brain, while other Gingko brands produce only partial results.

Mizx JA, Crews DC, An Examination of the Efficacy of Gingko biloba Extract EGb 761 on the Neuropsychologic Functioning of Cognitively Intact Older Adults. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine 2000;6:219-229 Itil TM, Martorano, D, Psychopharmacology Bulletin 1995;31:147-158

12 ENERGY VIBE

How

the

Brain

Works…

Your brain is made of approximately 100 billion nerve cells, called neurons. All sensations, movements, thoughts, memories, and feelings are the result of signals that pass through these neurons. Neurons consist of three parts. The cell body contains the nucleus, where most of the molecules that the neuron needs to survive and function are manufactured.

Small, branch-like projections called dendrites extend out from the cell body and receive messages from other nerve cells. Signals then pass from the dendrites through the cell body and may travel

away from the cell body down an axon to another neuron, a muscle cell, or cells in some other organ.

When the signal reaches the end of the axon it stimulates tiny sacs, which release chemicals known as neurotransmitters into the synapse.

The synapse is the place where a signal passes from the neuron to another cell.

The neurotransmitters cross the synapse and attach to receptors on the neighbouring cell. These receptors can change the properties of the receiving cell. If the receiving cell is also a neuron, the signal can continue the transmission to the next cell. Neural signals

are transmitted along complex paths via a vast network of synaptic connections.

When you were born, your brain came with all the neurons it will ever have, but many of them were not connected to each other. When you learn things, the messages travel from one neuron to another, over and over. Eventually, the brain starts to create connections (or pathways) be-

tween the neurons. More activity creates stronger synaptic connections.

Stronger connections support more efficient, flexible brain function, so things become easier and you can do them better and better. Learning literally shapes the brain. Every time we learn something, we change the structure of our brain a little bit, one synapse at a time.

Info courtesy brainspringlearning.com

Brain Games

By Akiela Hope One of the first factors of any health plan is eating right. Having the right amount of servings, checking calories and maintaining the ideal weight (BMI). The second factor is on average all about exercising the body, making sure that the mechanics of the body’s joints and bones are working correctly.

The correct amount of oxygen flows through the body and making sure that an individual has no irregular heartbeats. But, there is one other aspect of the body that is most time neglected and it is one of the hardest working organs in our body... I’m talking about the Brain.

When you think about it carefully, the brain does (and is connected to) everything. It’s all about memory and the brain, emotions and the brain and senses and the brain. Therefore, the importance that is placed on exercise for the body should be the same that is given towards the brain. Consequently, there are many different ways using your computer to keep the brain active and exercised, such as memory games, brainteasers, word games and mind games that Positscience.com, for example, has provided. Some of these games include:

1. Farmer’s Memory Challenge What It Is - Farmer's Memory Challenge is a brain test that measures working memory—how many things

you can keep in mind at a time. It gives you a score and performance percentile so you know how your performance compares to others.

Like many of our abilities, working memory often declines with age, beginning around age 30. This decline affects our ability to remember things like items on a list, names, and the specific details of events in everyday life—and it happens regardless of our education or intelligence.

How it Works: Farmer's Memory Challenge is a specific form of memory test called an n-back procedure. In the most typical variant of this task, the volunteer is required to monitor a series of stimuli and to respond whenever a stimulus is presented that is the same as the one presented n trials previously.

Training on an n-back procedure was recently shown to increase fluid intelligence—the ability to use logic to solve problems.

2. Word List Recall What It Is - Word List Recall is a working memory test for verbal span.

This type of memory is what allows us to remember what we hear or read long enough to use the information, either right then and there or by transferring it to long-term memory.

How it Works: Once you click “Start,” you will see 15 words, displayed one at a time for one second each. Read each of the words, and try to remember

them without taking notes. But keep a pen and paper handy, because you’ll have to write the words down later.

One preferred app for Memory Games is the “I know you” app for the Iphone

BRAIN TEASERS 1. Scrambled Text This can be a full paragraph with misspelt words, which when read makes complete sense. Many people are surprised they can read it without much problem, even though the letters are not in the correct order. But is what it says about reading true?

One preferred app for Memory Games is the “Brain Teaser” by Epic Applications

There are also Brain exercises for children, such as...

1. ABC Gulp Many children master letter-naming before they start kindergarten, and almost all children have mastered it by the time they finish, so ABC Gulp should be relatively easy for children six and older. The skills of younger children, however, may vary widely: some can identify and name all 26 letters in the alphabet, while others can't name any letters at all. Still other children are familiar with the first half of the alphabet, but struggle with the second half. For these children six and under, ABC Gulp

results may be particularly important, because letter-naming is one of the most effective predictors of subsequent reading skills.

2. Frog Jump In this game, the child must pair similar sounds in order to help a frog reach her goal. The game trains both tonal discrimination and short-term memory, requiring players to remember one sound while associating it with a number of choices.

3. Monkey Jungle In this game a monkey juggles bananas that makes different sounds. The child has to click on the banana that makes a sound different from the others. If they get it right, the banana turns into ice cream. If they get it wrong, the banana turns into broccoli. The monkey will take it up a notch by juggling faster and adding more bananas!

Websites you can try: Brainmetrix.com Gamesfor the brain.com Braingle.com Luminosity.com Free brain training apps for ios: Brain Trainer by Luminosity Brain Bomb Math vs Brains Clockwork Brain Charge your Brain

13 BEING WELL

The Distress of Dementia Dementia, also called senility describes a group of symptoms caused by disorders that affect the brain. People with dementia have no control of their cognitive learning, which prevents them from performing simple activities. In this issue of Health and Fitness, reporter Kaelanne Jordan chats with neurologist specialist Dr. Diana Andreeva as she shares her knowledge on this disease.

Health &Fitness: In layman’s terms, what is dementia?

Dr Diana Andreeva: Dementia is an acquired, generalised, and usually progressive impairment of cognitive function that affects the content (but not the level) of consciousness. Dementia is a decline of reasoning, memory and other mental abilities (the cognitive functions). This decline eventually impairs the ability to carry out everyday activities such as driving; household chores; and even personal care such as bathing, dressing and feeding.

H&F: How common is dementia?

Dr. Andreeva: Dementia increases with advancing age. It affects 5–20 per cent of individuals over age 65.

H&F: What are the symptoms of dementia?

Dr. Andreeva: The symptoms of dementia may be very obvious, or they may be very subtle and go unrecognised for some time. The first sign of dementia is usually loss of short-term memory. The person repeats what he/she just said or forgets where he/she put an object just a few minutes ago.

Other symptoms and signs are as follows: • Memory loss - the person may forget his/her way back home from the shops and names and places. He/she may find it hard to remember what happened earlier on during the day.

• Moodiness - the person may become more and more moody as parts of the brain that control emotion become damaged. Moods may also be affected by fear and anxiety - the person is frightened about what is happening to him.

• Communicative difficulties - the person finds it harder to talk read and/or write.

As the dementia progresses, the person’s ability to carry out everyday tasks diminishes and he/she may not be able to look after himself/herself.

H&F: Apart from these symptoms, are there any tests to check for dementia?

Dr. Andreeva: Doctors diagnose the cause of dementia by asking questions about the person's medical history and doing a physical exam, a mental status exam, laboratory and imaging tests. Brain imaging tests such as CT scans and an MRI can be done to make sure another problem isn't causing the symptoms. In some cases, the electrical activity in the brain may be measured using an electroencephalogram (EEG).

H&F: Who is at risk for dementia?

Dr. Andreeva: Because there are so many ways to get dementia and the causes of many of them are not known, it is hard to know who is at risk. Important risk factors for irreversible dementia include: advancing age, genetics (family history), smoking, alcohol use, atherosclerosis, high cholesterol, diabetes, high plasma homocysteine levels, mild cognitive impairment, etc.

H&F: What is the treatment for dementia, if any?

Dr. Andreeva: Most treatments for dementia will neither reverse nor stop the disease. There are treatments and medications that may reduce the symptoms and

slow the disease progression. Persons with Vitamin B12, B1 deficiency, HIV, Syphilis, Hypothyroidism, Normal pressure hydrocephalus and Wilson’s disease have treatable dementia. They have to be correctly diagnosed and treated.

H&F: Is dementia preventative? If so, what can one do to reduce their risk of dementia?

Dr. Andreeva: There is no known way to prevent irreversible dementia or even many types of reversible dementia that exist. The following, however, may help prevent certain types of dementia.

• Maintaining a healthy lifestyle that includes a balanced diet, regular exercise, moderate use of alcohol and no smoking or substance abuse; • Taking precautions to prevent infections (such as practicing safe sex); • Using protective equipment such as a seat belt or motorcycle helmet to prevent head injury.

Being alert for symptoms and signs that suggest dementia may allow early treatment and at least partial reversal of dementia.

H&F: Is there anything else you wish to add?

Dr. Andreeva: Yes. Be alert. Dementia can visit every adult anytime as an intruder.

14 WHAT DOES THAT DO?

TRX Fitness storm is here Rodney Granado

TRX stands for Total Resistance Exercise and was originally designed as a Suspension Trainer by US Navy SEAL’s Randy Hetrick.

Hetrick’s invention weighed less than three pounds and it was so portable that it allowed soldiers to get a superior full body workout virtually anywhere, including the confined area of a submarine.

According to local fitness instructor, Gregory Seale, the popular workout system is storming the gyms of T&T. Seale is a Sports Performance Specialist, Corrective Exercise Specialist (National Academy of Sports Medicine) and a Licensed Massage Therapist. With a Master of Science degree in Human Movement and Sport Performance, he has supported the fitness goals of post-rehabilitation patients, national team sports, recreational and national athletes in various sporting disciplines like football, cricket, swimming, rugby, squash and track and field.

He sees the TRX system as one of the

tools to utilise frequently in his profession since it allows him the opportunity to work in multiple planes and engage muscles in a synergistic manner rather than in isolation.

He said, “Using this tool forces the user to constantly engage core musculature while executing the primary movement.” He has been using the TRX five years ago and seen great success using it with patients at the post-rehabilitation stage as well as the developing and professional athlete.

TRX encompasses Suspension Training body weight exercises to build all body strength, flexibility and your core at the same time with a basic kit of straps that can be connected to doors, pull up bars or any proper support unit. One great feature is the useful portability of the equipment.

It is like a home gym in a bag. There are more equipment in variants designed for military physical training (PT) and pro trainers and athletes.

Gregory said, “Although I am an advocate for the TRX, there are other great tools that compliment the TRX like kettlebells and body blades and these should be

used to add an additional load and stimulus. I always stand by the K.I.S.S. principle Keep It Simple, Sam. There are hundreds of exercises out there all over the internet that look really cool, but there are few ex-

Dominique Kurbanali does a few basic moves using the TRX

ercises that really give you that bang for your buck.”

His concern is that people who are not properly qualified to train individuals are doing so and this puts the unsuspecting clients at risk for injury. As the system becomes popular in T&T, it is important to emphasise safety. One of the first things we must do as trainers is to provide a safe training environment when supporting the fitness goals of others and this includes getting qualified, seeking continuing education and researching for sound evidencebased practices.

Dominique Kurbanali is a promising young sprinter from St. Joseph's Convent.

She first used the TRX over a year ago during her post-rehabilitation training for a recovering hamstring injury. She is currently incorporating it into her pre-habilitation (injury prevention) and hypertrophy (muscle building) phases of her pre-season training.

15 TRIVIA

The right brain, left brain theory

Which side do you think with?

What does it mean when someone says you’re left brained or right brained?

Have you ever heard people say that they tend to be more of a right-brain or left-brain thinker? From books to television programs, you've probably heard the phrase mentioned numerous times or perhaps you've even taken an online test to determine which type best describes you.

WHAT IS LEFT BRAIN - RIGHT BRAIN THEORY? According to the theory of left-brain or right-brain dominance, each side of the brain controls different types of thinking.

Additionally, people are said to prefer one type of thinking over the other. For example, a person who is "left-brained" is often said to be more logical, analytical and objective, while a person who is "rightbrained" is said to be more intuitive, thoughtful and subjective.

In psychology, the theory is based on what is known as the lateralization of brain function. The right brain-left brain theory grew out of the work of Roger W. Sperry, who was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1981.

While studying the effects of epilepsy, Sperry discovered that cutting the corpus collosum (the structure that connects the two hemispheres of the brain) could reduce or eliminate seizures. However, these patients also experienced other symptoms after the communication pathway between the two sides of the brain was cut.

For example, many split-brain patients found themselves unable to name objects that were processed by the right side of the brain, but were able to name objects that were processed by the left-side of the brain. Based on this information, Sperry suggested that language was controlled by the left-side of the brain.

Later research has shown that the brain is not nearly as dichotomous as once thought. For example, recent research has shown that abilities in subjects such as math are actually strongest when both halves of the brain work together.

THE RIGHT BRAIN According to the left-brain, right-brain dominance theory, the right side of the brain is best at expressive and creative tasks. Some of the abilities that are popularly associated with the right side of the brain include: • Recognising faces • Expressing emotions • Music • Reading emotions • Colour • Images • Intuition • Creativity

THE LEFT BRAIN The left-side of the brain is considered to be adept at tasks that involve logic, language and analytical thinking. The leftbrain is often described as being better at:

• Language • Logic • Critical thinking • Numbers • Reasoning

THE USES OF RIGHT - BRAIN, LEFT-BRAIN THEORY While often over-generalised and overstated by popular psychology and self-help texts, understanding your strengths and weaknesses in certain areas can help you develop better ways to learn and study.

For example, students who have a difficult time following verbal instructions (often cited as a right-brain characteristic) can benefit from writing down directions and developing better organizational skills.

A QUICK BRAIN QUIZ If you’re not sure whether you’re left- or right-brained, here’s a quiz to give you an idea. Read each statement and note which ones apply to you, then consult the key.

1. When I’m finished using an item, I put it away immediately.

2. I love being surrounded by vibrant colours.

3. Whether I’m looking at a work of art or a room, I tend to prefer symmetrical design.

4. I like to move around my furniture a few times a year rather than stick with the same arrangement.

5. I’m the go-to party planner for friends and family.

6. Keeping current projects where I can see

INTERESTING BRAIN FACTS:

them is a must.

7. I love having a designated spot for each item in my closet or drawers.

8. On my computer, I often have multiple windows open at once.

9. I have a specific morning routine that I always follow to a T. 10. When making major purchases, I usually follow my instincts rather than do research.

11. I often wear the same jewellery every day.

12. If I have to explain directions to someone, I’ll draw her a map instead of telling her verbally.

13. When I find a great dish at a restaurant, I order it every time I go there.

14. I often drive with the Empty light flashing.

15. I always bring a shopping list to the grocery store.

16. I have a lot of knickknacks around the house.

17. My books and CDs are in order, so I can always find what I’m looking for.

18. My desk is filled with piles of papers, sticky notes, and business cards.

19. I feel guilty if I don’t follow the rules while playing board games.

20. I’m fine with other people making last-minute changes to plans.

Key: Count up the odd and even numbers you’ve circled. More odd numbers?

You’re a left-brainer. More even numbers?

Welcome to the right-brain club. Equal split? You’re a mix and can benefit from organising systems designed for either type.

With information from about.com and realsimple.com

1. The diameter of an individual brain neuron is just 4 microns thick, you could fit 30,000 neurons on the head of a pin.

2. Your brain generates nearly 25 watts of power while you're awake, which is enough to light up a light bulb.

3. Alcohol interferes with brain processes by weakening connections between neurons.

4. Every time you have a new thought, or recall a memory, a new brain connection is made between two or more brain cells.

5. A living brain is so soft you could cut it with a table knife.

6. Loss of oxygen for just 5 to 10 minutes can cause serious brain damage. The brain can stay alive for 4 to 6 minutes without oxygen. After that cells begin die.

7. The average adult's brain weighs 3 - 4 lbs. but consumes 20% of the body’s oxygen supply.

8. The human brain contains around 400 miles of blood vessels.

9. There is no sense of pain within the brain itself which explains why brain surgeons can probe areas of the brain even when the patient is awake.

10. The left side of your brain (left hemisphere) controls the right side of your body; and, the right side of your brain (right hemisphere) controls the left side of your body.

11. Your cerebral cortex is about as thick as a doctor’s tongue depressor and it grows thicker as you learn more.

12. You will lose consciousness in 10 seconds after the loss of blood supply to the brain.

13. Of all creatures on earth, humans have the most complex brain.

14. Differences in brain weight and size do not equal differences in mental ability.

15. If stretched out, the cerebral cortex would be 0.23 sq. m or 2.5sq.ft.

16. Average surface area of the cerebral cortex is 2,500 cm2 or 2.69 sq.ft.

17. There are about 100 billion neurons in the human brain, the same number of stars in our galaxy.

Courtesy disabled.world.com

16

BRAIN

Questions & Answers

What are studies of the brain called?

• The study of the brain and its functions is known as neuroscience.

• Psychology is the scientific study of the mind and behaviour.

• Neurophysiology is the study of normal healthy brain activity.

• Neurology and psychiatry are both medical approaches to the study of the mind and its disorders and pathology or mental illness respectively.

How many main parts to the brain are there?

The human brain can be divided into three main parts: the forebrain, midbrain, and hindbrain:

• The forebrain includes the several lobes of the cerebral cortex that control higher functions.

• Midbrain functions include routing, selecting, mapping, and cataloguing information, including information perceived from the environment and information that is remembered and processed throughout the cerebral cortex.

• Hindbrain - (rhombencephalon) is a developmental categorization of portions of the central nervous system in vertebrates. A rare disease of the rhombencephalon, "rhombencephalosynapsis" is characterized by a missing vermis resulting in a fused cerebellum.

Patients generally present with cerebellar ataxia.

What is a neuron?

A neuron is a nerve cell in the brain.

The human brain is made up of approximately 100 billion (100,000,000,000) neurons.

Is the brain an organ?

The brain is an organ as it controls the functions of the body. It is sometimes referred to as a muscle of thinking as the brain actually tells your muscles what to do. The brain is the most important organ in the body because it controls all of the bodily functions as well as the other organs.

Do men have a larger brain than women?

Male humans have about a 10% larger brain than females. A study of 46 adults aged 22-49 years found an average brain volume of 1273.6cc for men, ranging from 1052.9 to 1498.5cc, and 1131.1cc for women, ranging from 974.9 to 1398.1cc. However differences in male and female brain weight and size do not mean differences in mental ability. There is evidence of a gradual increase in average brain size over the last centuries, estimated to have been around 0.5% per decade.

Is a computer smarter than a human brain?

The brain has a processing capacity of 0.1 quadrillion instructions per second. The fastest super computer in the world, called Roadrunner is capable of handling 1.026 quadrillion calculations per second. However the computational power of the human brain is difficult to ascertain, as the human brain is not easily paralleled to the binary number processing of computers. For while the human brain is calculating a math problem, it is subconsciously processing data from millions of nerve cells that handle the visual input of the paper and surrounding area, the aural input from both ears, and the sensory input of millions of cells throughout the body. The brain is also regulating the heartbeat, monitoring oxygen levels, hunger and thirst requirements, breathing patterns and hundreds of other essential factors throughout the body. It is simultaneously comparing data from the eyes and the sensory cells in the arms and hands to keep track of the position of the pen and paper as the calculation is being performed.

Can an adult grow more brain cells?

A landmark study in late 1998 by researchers from Sweden and the Salk Institute in La Jolla, California, showed for the first time that some brain cells in mature humans may regenerate under certain circumstances.

Do humans only use 10% of the brain?

No, we use all of our brain.

What are Neurodegenerative diseases?

Neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, motor neuron disease and Huntington's disease are caused by the gradual death of individual neurons, leading to decrements in movement control, memory, and cognition.

Does alcohol kill brain cells every time you drink?

The idea that alcohol kills brain cells has long been promoted. Drinking alcohol does not actually "kill" brain cells. Roberta Pentney, professor of anatomy and cell biology at the University at Buffalo, concludes that alcohol does not kill brain cells but it damages the dendrites, the branched ends of nerve cells that bring messages into the brain cell causing damage to the way the cells in the brain communicate. Luckily the damage is largely reversible and not permanent. However years of alcohol abuse can cause serious neurological damage, including Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome.

In what part of the brain do you get brain tumours?

Brain tumours are classified depending on the exact site of the tumour, the type of tissue involved, benign or malignant tendencies of the tumour, and other factors. Primary (true) brain tumours are commonly located in the posterior cranial fossa in children and in the anterior two-thirds of the cerebral hemispheres in adults, although they can affect any part of the brain.

How are memories stored and retrieved?

Unfortunately we don't yet comprehend exactly how this happens or how memories are recalled years later for retrieval.

How does the brain control body temperature?

The Hypothalamus part of the brain regulates body temperture much like a thermostat. The hypothalamus knows what temperature your body should be (about 98.6 Fahrenheit or 37 Celsius), and if your body is too hot, the hypothalamus tells it to sweat. If you're too cold, the hypothalamus makes you start shivering. Shivering and sweating helps get your body's temperature back to normal.

Are humans born with all their brain cells?

Babies are born with around a 100 billion brain cells, but only a small number of neurons are actually connected. By three years of age a childs brain has formed about 1,000 trillion connections, about twice as many as adults have. At around 11 years, the brain begins to prune unused connections. Connections that are used repeatedly in the early years become permanent; those that are not are eliminated. Hence the saying, "use it or lose it."

Are IQ tests accurate measures of intelligence?

First you need to define intelligence, a very hard task, think about it. Intelligence is an encompassing term. "We cannot measure intelligence when we have not defined it" said journalist Walter Lippmann in the early 1920's. According to most current definitions intelligence is made up of the skills of logical reasoning, problem solving, critical thinking, and adaptation.

IQ tests are not very reliable and the scores may vary as much as 15 points from one test to another. The average IQ scores for many popula-

tions have been rising at an average rate of three points per decade since the early 20th century with most of the increase in the lower half of the IQ range.

When is the brain considered dead?

Brain death is the irreversible end of all brain activity (including involuntary activity necessary to sustain life) due to total necrosis of the cerebral neurons following loss of blood flow and oxygenation. A brain-dead individual has no clinical evidence of brain function upon physical examination. This includes no response to pain and no cranial nerve reflexes.

Reflexes include pupillary response (fixed pupils), oculocephalic reflex, corneal reflex, no response to the caloric reflex test and no spontaneous respirations. The diagnosis of brain death needs to be rigorous to determine whether the condition is irreversible. Legal criteria vary, but it generally requires neurological exams by two independent physicians. The exams must show complete absence of brain function, and may include two isoelectric (flat-line) EEGs 24 hours apart.

If tests show brain activity, the patient may be in a coma or vegetative state. A brain dead person doesn't show brain activity. It is important to distinguish between brain death and states that may mimic brain death.

Some comatose patients can recover, and some patients with severe irreversible neurologic dysfunction will nonetheless retain some lower brain functions such as spontaneous respiration, despite the losses of both cortex and brainstem functionality.

Thus, anencephaly, in which there is no higher brain present, is generally not considered brain death, though it is certainly an irreversible condition in which it may be appropriate to withdraw life support.

Today, both the legal and medical communities use "brain death" as a legal definition of death. Using braindeath criteria, the medical community can declare a person legally dead even if life support equipment keeps the body's metabolic processes working.

Do brain supplements work in enhancing memory and brain power?

As we age our brain is more susceptible to memory loss and diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. The functionality of the human brain can also be affected due to problems in nervous system or inadequate blood supply to the brain. Here are few brain supplements said to assist the brain.