Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is an extremely safe, non-invasive, painless medical treatment administered in a chamber in which the patient breathes 100 percent oxygen under pressure. This produces up to a 15-fold increase in blood oxygen concentration in every cell of the body, stimulating healing in all tissues, including the brain. Cognitive function usually peaks around the age of 30, and then declines, commonly manifesting as overall slowness in thinking and difficulties sustaining attention, problem solving, multitasking, holding information in mind and word-finding. Many people over 60 experience a decline that results in dementia (brain cell death and tissue loss). Telomere shortening is the goal of the biology of aging. The significant improvement of telomere length shown during and after HBOT protocols (requires 60 daily consecutive treatments, five days per week) provides the scientific community with a new foundation of understanding that aging can be targeted and reversed at the basic cellular-biological level. Researchers at Tel Aviv University and the Shamir Medical Center led by leading world hyperbaric researcher Dr. Shai Efrati, released a study in 2020 that demonstrated the ability of HBOT to lengthen telomeres by 25 percent (see www.tinyurl.com/ HBOTAgingReversal). Initially used to treat divers that were experiencing “the bends” from surfacing too quickly, HBOT has evolved into a therapy for 14 insurance-covered conditions, such as treatment of non-healing diabetic wounds, osteomyelitis, radiation injury from cancer therapy and others. Supported by research and used in other countries for more than 80 conditions, studies have shown great benefit for concussions, traumatic brain injury, autism, stroke, irritable bowel syndrome, post-traumatic stress disorder and patients having cosmetic surgery. HBOT is a more potent anti-inflammatory than steroids; stimulates the body’s own production of stem cells by 800 percent; stimulates new blood vessel growth; activates the body’s immune system; and acts as a signal inducer of DNA for more than 6,000 genes, turning on good genes and turning off bad genes. With cosmetic surgery, it is recommended to do one treatment the day before the surgery and five to 10 more afterward to reduce swelling and bruising, resulting in less scarring and reducing the chance of infection. Dr. Roger Hunter is the owner of Nirvana Hyperbaric Institute, located at 146 Medical Park Rd., Ste. 110, in Mooresville. For more information or a free consultation, call 704-471-4100 or visit www.NirvanaHBO.com. 10
Charlotte Edition
AwakeningCharlotte.com
Foods go beyond impacting the physical body, they also impact how the brain functions. A 2021 University of Barcelona study of the nutrition habits of more then 800 elderly participants concluded that eating more plant-based foods improves cognitive function, while other foods like saccharin, commonly found in artificial sweeteners, increased the risk for cognitive decline (see www.tinyurl.com/UnivBarcelonaCognitiveFunction). If food is fuel, think about the kind of fuel the brain needs to run at optimal levels. If a car is given poor-quality fuel for years, it’s not going to run efficiently. Eventually, it will break down. The brain acts in a similar way. Foods like beets, which are high in nitrates, help increase blood flow to the brain and improve its function. Foods that contain trans fats, like fried fast food or baked goods containing vegetable oils, can negatively impact how the neurons communicate, decreasing brain function. In the long term, consuming foods that negatively affect the brain can increase brain fog, forgetfulness, anxiety and depression, and the risk of Alzheimer's disease and dementia. Reduce consuming added sugar and refined carbohydrates, which research shows creates an insulin spike that negatively impacts brain function. Instead, begin eating a diet supportive of brain health, including foods high in brain-fueling nutrients such as avocado, dark chocolate, leafy greens, broccoli, fish, walnuts, blueberries, coconut, and pumpkin seeds. Start the day with a vegetable, protein, and fat instead of carbohydrates. Making the connection between how we feel mentally and what we eat is the first step in achieving optimal brain health. Keep a diary and keep track of how the brain responds. Dr. Michael Smith is a naturopathic physician at Carolinas Natural Health Center, located at 6404 Bannington Rd., Ste. A, in Charlotte. For more information, call 704-486-2448 or visit www.CarolinasNaturalHealth.com.
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Reversal of Aging and Cognitive Decline
Give the Brain Better Nutrition for Best Health
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