Brain Loss Linked to High Glycemic Eating

Several decades ago, researchers in food sciences and diabetes began exploring the effects of various foods on blood sugar and future risk for developing diabetes, a disease now affecting close to 26 million Americans that has been associated with a two-fold increased risk for the development of Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers at the University of Toronto, led by Dr. David J. A. Jenkins, realized that it was important to consider how rapidly and how high blood sugar would rise following the consumption of a particular food. They surmised that glycation, brought on by blood sugar, would be enhanced the longer the blood sugar remained elevated. So well beyond the notion that a particular food would
cause a spike in the blood sugar, the longer the blood sugar remained elevated, the greater the long-term damage. These scientists then developed a ranking system that has allowed us to look at foods in a new and very meaningful way: the glycemic index. The glycemic index not only provides important information as to how high blood sugar will rise but, perhaps more importantly, reveals how long the blood sugar will remain elevated.
The longer the blood sugar remains high, the greater the chance that sugar will bind to protein. And this process, glycation, is what greatly enhances both inflammation and the production of free radicals. And keep in mind that inflammation and free radical production directly damage our most vital tissues and organs.
Doctors now routinely evaluate a marker of glycation as part of a general laboratory assessment. The test most commonly used is called hemoglobin A1c or, more commonly, A1c. As the name implies, this test is a marker of glycation of the protein hemoglobin. Healthcare practitioners use the A1c test to determine a person’s average blood sugar over a three- to four-month period. The more the blood sugar levels remain elevated, the higher the A1c. But beyond simply as a marker of average blood sugar, the A1c test has far more important implications. This test provides valuable information about the glycation of proteins and thus gives insight into both the degree of inflammation as well as the activity of dangerous free radicals.
Percentage of annual brain loss
Figure 1. Percentage of annual brain loss compared to A1c Adapted from: Neurology 79, no.10 (2012): 1019-1026
A1c levels 4.4-5.2   ------Brain loss 0-.2
                  5.3-5.5----------------------.250-.375                               
                  5.6-5.8----------------------.375
                  5.9-9.0----------------------.375-.5
Now that you understand how glycation is so damaging to the brain as well as how the process can be measured, it shouldn’t surprise you to learn that there is a direct correlation between glycation, as measured by the A1c test, and actual damage to the brain. In a recent study published by the prestigious medical journal Neurology, researchers checked the blood A1c test in 201 nondiabetic adults with normal brain function and measured the actual size of the participants’ brains using MRI scans. After six years, the brain scans were repeated. What the researchers found was astounding: As you see in the graphic, there was a direct and powerful relation between the original A1c, a marker of glycation, and the degree of brain atrophy or shrinkage.
The most striking finding was that the A1c level was the most important predictor of brain shrinkage, far more powerful than other variables like alcohol intake, triglyceride level, or cholesterol level. And the empowering take-home message is that the degree of glycation, as measured by the A1c test and relates to the rate at which the brain shrinks, is directly related to food choices. Eating foods with a lower glycemic index will reduce glycation and preserve the brain.

pg3-4 Dr Perlmutter's Guide to Glymcemic Index
About the Author
David Perlmutter, M.D., is a practicing board-certified neurologist and Fellow of the American College of Nutrition.
He is the author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Grain Brain and lectures to medical doctors and healthcare providers worldwide.

Here is an interesting article about Zilmax on Mercola.com


http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2014/01/15/zilmax-beta-agonist-drug.aspx

Want to Help Prevent Alzheimer's?

Here are some suggestions:

Balance your Omega-6's & Omega-3's

Raise your Vitamin D levels

Take Antioxidant, Vitamin & Mineral Supplements

Take EuroMedica Brand CuraPro & R-Garden Brand Resveratrol Complex

Elevate glutathione (try Nutri-West Complete Whey-G Protein Powder) 

Stay clear of MSG

Detoxify

Cold Laser Therapy (available at our office)

Avoid brain trauma (wear a helmet)

Exercise 

Do not smoke 

Minimize television 

Do crossword puzzles (challenge the brain!)

Dr. Pam recommends getting a test kit (finger prick) for your DHA & EPA ratios. available at our office. The goal is to have 4:1 Omega 6/Omega 3 ratio.

Everyone living in the NorthEast cannot get enough Vitamin D from the sun.

High quality Supplement's are available at our office.

Dr. Pam can recommend a personalized Detoxification program.

Sprouts- I Forgot about Them!

In 1992, Johns Hopkins researched natural ways to squelch cancer. A diet high in cruciferous vegetables was identified as a factor that lowered the incidence. Additional research identified broccoli as having some of the most potent anti-cancer activity. Since then, when they finally looked into sprouted broccoli seeds, researchers discovered that the phytochemical in the sprouts killed cancer dozens of times more effectively than mature broccoli!
  sprouts are a core food  because sprouts, depending on the variety, are anywhere from 10 to 30 times more nutritious than the best organic vegetables you can grow in the best organic soil in your yard.
Sunflower seed and pea sprouts tend to top the list, in terms of their nutritional profile, each being typically about 30 times more nutritious than organic vegetables. While you can sprout a variety of different beans, nuts, seeds and grains, sprouts in general have the following beneficial attributes:

• Support for cell regeneration
• Powerful sources of antioxidants, minerals, vitamins and enzymes that protect against free radical damage
• Alkalinizing effect on your body, which is thought to protect against disease, including cancer (as many tumors are acidic)
• Abundantly rich in oxygen, which can also help protect against abnormal cell growth, viruses and bacteria that cannot survive in an oxygen-rich environment

Remember to try the sprouts out on your children. Many parents are surprised that their children like sprouts on salads or just in hand as a snack.

One ounce of Nuts- Daily Keeps Illness Away- Harvard Study Says

Story at-a-glance from Dr Mercola's December 2, 2013 posting

• A large-scale, 30-year long study found that people who regularly ate one ounce of nuts at least seven times per week were 20 percent less likely to die for any reason, compared to those who avoided nuts in their diet
• Eating nuts at least five times a week corresponded to a 29 percent reduction in mortality risk due to heart disease; a 24 percent reduction for respiratory disease; and an 11 percent reduction for cancer
• In order for your body to adapt to burning fat instead of sugar, replace non-vegetable carbohydrates in your diet with high-quality healthful fats. Raw nuts are one source of such fats
• My favorite nuts are macadamia and pecans, as they provide the highest amount of healthy fat while being on the lower end in terms of protein, mirroring what may be close to an ideal ratio of nutrients
• • Raw macadamia nuts are a powerhouse of a nut, containing a wide variety of critical nutrients including high amounts of vitamin B1, magnesium, manganese, and healthful monounsaturated fat, just to name a few.
  • Pecans: Pecans contain more than 19 vitamins and minerals, and research has shown they may help lower LDL cholesterol and promote healthy arteries. One of my favorite treats is candied pecans in a salad at a restaurant. I know they have sugar, but a few grams or less a day is not going to cause a major problem provided you’re eating a healthy whole food diet, opposed to processed foods (which are loaded with hidden fructose).
  • Walnuts: Walnuts are good sources of plant-based omega-3 fats, natural phytosterols, and antioxidants that are so powerful at free-radical scavenging that researchers have called them "remarkable.”¹⁰ Plus, walnuts may help reduce not only the risk of prostate cancer, but breast cancer as well. They’ve also been shown to reverse brain aging in rats and boost heart health in people with diabetes.
  • Almonds: One of the healthiest aspects of almonds appears to be their skins, as they are rich in antioxidants including phenols, flavonoids, and phenolic acids, which are typically associated with vegetables and fruits. A study in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry¹¹ even revealed that a one-ounce serving of almonds has a similar amount of total polyphenols as a cup of steamed broccoli or green tea. Be careful not to overeat almonds though as they are high in protein, nearly one gram per almond.
  • Brazil Nuts: Brazil nuts are an excellent source of organic selenium, a powerful antioxidant-boosting mineral that may be beneficial for the prevention of cancer.     
  •  
  • Remember nuts count as a protein.When eating work towards having protein with a fat and veggies. Keep the refined carbohydrates to a minimum.   Dr Pam                                                                                                                                                          http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/12/02/tree-nuts-healthy-fats.aspx?e_cid=20131208Z1_SNL_MC_1&utm_source=snl&utm_medium=email&utm_content=mc1&utm_campaign=20131208Z1&et_cid=DM36139&et_rid=360936825 
   

Peri menopausal Symptoms-Help is Available

Dr Mercola wrote on March 17,2013.

Synthetic hormones such as Premarin and Provera, which are commonly prescribed for menopausal symptoms, would fall into this category as they block the human body’s own natural receptors for estrogen and progesterone.  In fact, synthetic hormones have been shown to be directly correlated with the breast cancer epidemic we are currently facing.  

So what do you do when you know you are suffering from peri menopausal symptoms? You start by realizing that your body is out of balance and know there is help available.

What I do with my patients is determine what part of the bodies organ systems are having difficulties with the natural changes that need to occur. And then make recommendations based on the exam findings. The exam includes a spinal evaluation; intake forms of the symptoms; evaluation of past lab work ups; saliva testing for present hormonal function; hair analysis for cellular absorption information; dietary habits; and muscle testing. We will discuss the findings. And I draw up a lifestyle plan -designed to help your body get back in balance . 
Dr Pam

How to make sense of your cholesterol

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Discover More...Understanding Cholesterol: How to Stay Within the Healthy Range

High cholesterol has been associated with poor health and an increased risk of heart disease for the last two decades. This idea immediately spawned myths about saturated fats, which demonized certain categories of food, like eggs and healthy oils. Most physicians will advise you to keep your cholesterol levels as low as possible, or else suffer serious complications.
But did you know that high cholesterol is not necessarily a precursor to poor health nor is it an indicator of heart disease?
In my years of practice, I have seen people whose total cholesterol levels were over 250 but had a low risk of developing heart disease. I have also encountered patients who were highly at risk for heart disease despite low cholesterol levels (under 200).
Conventional doctors neglect to tell you the truth: your body NEEDS cholesterol. And there are far better indicators of your heart health than just your total cholesterol level.

Back to Basics: What is the Purpose of Cholesterol?

About 75 percent of the cholesterol in your body is produced in your liver, while the other 25 percent is obtained from the foods you eat. This soft, waxy substance is essential for the production of:

• Cell membranes
• Hormones
• Bile acids (for fat metabolism)
• Vitamin D

Cholesterol also contributes to the formation of your memories and is crucial for your neurological function. Cholesterol also affects the formation of serotonin, a hormone that is involved in your mood regulation.
Studies have found that people with insufficient levels of cholesterol have a higher chance of developing depression and suicidal thoughts, while others may experience an increased capacity for violence and aggression. In extreme cases, low cholesterol can raise your risk of cancer and Parkinson’s disease.
A rise in cholesterol levels, on the other hand, occurs in response to damaged cells. A high amount of this substance in your bloodstream just proves that your body is working to repair or create new cells.

Statins: A Drug That's Actually Bad for You

Having elevated levels of cholesterol (unless you are suffering from a genetic defect called familial hypercholesterolemia) is not a disease that requires statins, yet millions are taking them as we speak. It is unfortunate that Americans are led to believe that this class of cholesterol-lowering drugs is the answer to normalizing cholesterol levels, when there over 900 studies documenting their adverse effects.
For instance, statins also deplete your CoQ10 levels. CoQ10 or Coenzyme Q10 is a substance that plays a crucial role in the creation of your ATP molecules needed for cellular energy production. Other than the side effects brought by statins, CoQ10 deficiency can also yield to a number of complications, including heart failure.
Unfortunately, conventional doctors oftentimes immediately base judgment on numbers and prescribe dangerous statins, which ironically puts your heart health at risk.

Statins: A Drug That's Actually Bad for You

Cholesterol shouldn't be feared to the point that you need toxic drugs to suppress it. Rather, the key is to understand how cholesterol works to know how to stay within an optimal range. I urge you to read my infographic How to Make Sense of Your Cholesterol Levels to discover this and how you can "read" your cholesterol levels to help gauge  your risk of heart disease.
It's time to shatter the myths surrounding cholesterol and statins! Share this infographic with your friends and family, and help them take control of their health.