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Brain Health and Lifelong Memory

September 2nd 2010 21:20

Brain memory health cognitive how
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Choline is an essential nutrient; it is important for the healthy structure and function of the human body, acting as a biochemical building block, an agent of cell-to-cell communication and transportation, and part of a regulatory system for gene expression. Its role in cell structure and function, phospholipid metabolism, cell signaling and epigenetic events underlie its contribution to the maintenance of cognitive, cardiovascular, and hepatic health.




Choline biochemistry underlies many important processes in human nutrition. However, its significance is underappreciated relative to the nutrients, vitamins and other biological cofactors to which it is complementary. Daily choline intake is necessary, as the body does not produce enough, even under ideal conditions. The viability of numerous organs and systems depend on its continued availability, starting with the earliest events in human growth and development. Brain structure and behaviour related to learning and memory appear to be profoundly and beneficially influenced by early, and frequent, dietary intervention with this uniquely important nutrient.

Choline is a required component of infant formula worldwide, with typical addition within the range of 7-50 mg/100 kcal (1.7-12 mg/100 kJ), as specified in standards of national authoritative bodies worldwide. Choline nutriture remains extremely important as a child is weaned. Many commercial solid food preparations and “follow-up” formulas, intended for older infants, now also contain Choline. Fortified foods and beverages may be useful vehicles to deliver it, as nutrient-dense natural sources may not be practical additions to an infant’s or toddler’s diet.



Choline’s demographic targets are as diverse as its therapeutic targets. It is an important component of the nutrition of prenatal and infant patients (via pregnant and lactating mothers), children, as well as athletic and geriatric segments of the population.

Choline plays an important role in many cellular events as a precursor of numerous metabolites that are important for their diverse structural and functional purposes. It is necessary for the synthesis of phosphatidylcholine and sphingomyelin, which are important primary structural components of the phospholipid membranes of neurons and other cells. It is also a precursor of key molecules that function in intracellular signaling, including diacylglycerol and ceramide, and acetylcholine, which is a primary agent of neurotransmission in cholinergic neurons. Adequate ditary choline availability is also valuable in that it spares the use of functionally complementary nutrients (e.g. folate, methionine) for the synthesis of protein and DNA.



Memor-C Choline is ideal for cost-effective food fortification because it is a highly bioavailable nutrient and is very stable to harsh food processing conditions. It is delivered in a water-soluble form, and is easily incorporated into a variety of products, including bakery goods, ready-to-drink and reconstituted beverages, cereals, confectionery-type products, nutritional bars, and food supplements.

Typical inclusion levels in finished products preclude any problems with the off-notes or undesirable flavors in a finished product, as typically incurred with many other nutrients do.



Enrichment and fortification of food products with choline will allow product developers to create unique products that will afford them a strategic position in key market segments and bring value to increasingly health-oriented customers.



comment by katyzzz.....food supplements are not recommended by me but the information provided in this is useful






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What causes a bad memory?

September 2nd 2010 21:13

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A person's ability to remember facts, faces and events depends on the brain's ability to perform a complex network of processes that record and retrieve information. Various malfunctions within the brain's processing centers can delay memory recall, or prevent it altogether. Although disease or injury can dramatically affect memory by damaging specific areas of the brain, poor memory normally has a more gradual onset resulting from nutritional, psychological, behavioral or age-related factors.
Dietary Causes
Like the rest of the body, the brain requires certain nutrients to perform optimally. When deprived of these nutrients on a continual basis, the body's metabolism and cognitive functions begin to break down, according to the Franklin Institute.



Cells require adequate supplies of oxygen, and the proper balance of vitamins and nutrients, to function in a coordinated manner. In terms of brain function, neurotransmitters secreted by cells determine how efficiently the brain processes incoming and outgoing information. When adequate nutrients are lacking, an imbalance in neurotransmitter levels can disrupt information storage and retrieval. This can result in symptoms of poor memory, including forgetfulness, confusion and mental fatigue.
Stress
The human body normally uses mild and moderate stress conditions to its advantage. It does this by producing stress hormones that enhance overall function, and promote faster response rates and improved concentration, according to the Memory Disorders Project at Rutgers University.



However, when stressful conditions persist over long periods of time---as occurs with depression, job dissatisfaction or loneliness---the ongoing production of stress hormones begins to take a toll on the brain and body. Within the brain, excess levels of stress hormones have adverse effects on the hippocampus, which is one of the primary areas involved in memory function. Over time, a person's ability to form new memories can decline as a result of damage to brain cells in this area.



Insomnia resulting from stress and other causes can also affect the brain's ability to form memories.
Aging Process
Poor memory can develop as cell structures in the brain and body age, causing metabolic processes to function less efficiently. According to Bryn Mawr College, areas of the brain like the hippocampus normally deteriorate with age, which directly affects the brain's ability to store and retrieve information.



As the body ages, the brain gradually loses brain cells. Fewer brain cells means that fewer cells are available to produce the neurotransmitters needed for optimal brain function. Although most older individuals are still capable of storing and retrieving information, their brain processes may be slower. Poor memory is a common result, as the brain takes a longer time to process and absorb new information.



Chronic health problems like heart disease and diabetes can also affect brain function, including the ability to store and retrieve memories.


Read more: What Are the Causes of Poor Memory? | eHow.com Really Long Link
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Finding ways to make visits with a person in the middle stages of Alzheimer's disease meaningful can be challenging. So often, family and friends feel sad and frustrated that the person does not remember their visits. This frustration can lead to more infrequent visits as family members try to cope with their disappointment and anger at the disease.





Good news has come from a study published in the journal PNAS - Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences - earlier this year. The study looked at the effect of showing people with dementia a sad film or happy film. While they did not remember what they watched due to Alzheimer's disease, the feelings associated with the experience lingered.

People involved in the study were able to report or demonstrate happiness even though they could not remember why they were happy. They had no recollection of recently watching an uplifting movie such as "When Harry Met Sally" or a Bill Crosby special, but could express pleasure triggered by the event.

While the part of the brain responsible for short-term memory is damaged with Alzheimer's disease, a different part of the brain allows the brain to retain good or bad feelings triggered by meaningful activity.

This is encouraging news for family members who wonder how much their loved ones are benefitting from activities and visits. It validates the advice often given for families to continue to visit while relishing the simplest of reactions.

Take a moment to think of small gestures and interactions you can initiate while visiting a person with dementia. Simple activities such as blowing soap bubbles, telling good-hearted jokes and sharing a laugh allow for pleasant interactions during the visit. Very importantly, the good feeling these actions illicit will continue to flourish after you are gone.

Rather than focusing on impairments, such as short-term memory loss, think of ways to nurture remaining abilities. Capitalize on the brain's ability to retain good feelings sparked by pleasant activities. Keep in mind that the process of engaging the person in the activity may be more important than the outcome.

An activity as simple as painting with non-toxic watercolors offers a chance for the person to communicate nonverbally when words are no longer there. It also encourages pleasant feelings that will stay with the person long after the activity.

Whether or not the picture in the painting is completed is not as important.





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