Worry, Stress, Fear and Brain Health

"If you ask what is the  single most important key to longevity, I would have to say it is avoiding worry, stress and tension. And if you didn't ask me, I'd still have to say it."  …George F. Burns, American comedian They say that worry,  stress, and fear can end your life. If you give in to them, you've already  stopped living your life. But the reality is, people  are living longer than ever before. In fact,  centenarians — people who live to 100 or older — are one of the world’s  fastest growing segments of the population. Vitamin B12 Keeps Your Brain Young

 

Older individuals with low levels of vitamin B12 are at increased risk of having brain atrophy or shrinkage. Brain atrophy is associated with Alzheimer's disease and impaired cognitive function. Vitamin B12 deficiency is a public health problem, especially among older people. In a study involving more than 100 volunteers aged 61 to 87, all participants underwent annual clinical exams, MRI scans and cognitive tests, and had blood samples taken. Individuals with lower vitamin B12 levels at the start of the study had a greater decrease in brain volume. Those with the lowest B12 levels had a sixfold greater rate of brain volume loss compared with those who had the highest levels. However, none of the participants were actually deficient in vitamin B12 -- they just had low levels within a normal range. Other risk factors for brain atrophy include high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol. Sources: ·                  U.S. News & World Report September 8, 2008 ·                  Neurology 2008; 71: 826-832 ·                  Dr. Mercola:  09.22.08 Related Articles and Information: Blood Test Predicts Dementia Risk Super Spice Secrets Drinking Coffee Slashes Risks of Alzheimer's Pet Therapy Tuna and Egg Keep Your Brain Big Goji Health Stories - Dementia and Alzheimer's Big Red Juice - Goji and Go-Chi     Goji Health Stories/Stress

Where Are The Goji Berries?

"Where are the Goji berries?" ... is fast becoming the most-heard phrase in many health food stores around the world.

If you have not yet heard of goji juice, you will soon. The goji berry has occupied an important place in traditional Asian medicine for countless generations, but the secrets of its nutritional benefits have remained a mystery to most of the world until recently.

Many of the world's longest living people, in parts of the world where the average life span is 100 to 120 years old, consume regular daily helpings of a tiny red fruit that may just be the world's most powerful anti-aging food—the goji berry. Many of the legendary properties of lycium barbarum (Goji's Latin name) are being confirmed in modern scientific studies, and this has led to the possibility of even more far-reaching benefits. In addition to its anti-aging qualities, this little berry is showing that it can inhibit the growth of breast cancer cells, reduce high blood pressure and cholesterol and cure morning sickness.

However there are many varieties of goji – as many as 41 species in Tibet alone, and like with grapes they are not all created equal!

December 01 - In the New York Times:
Running The Sahara - Documentary - Rating: NR

Starring: Matt Damon
Directed by: James Moll

PLOT DESCRIPTION

LivePlanet, Inc. founders Matt Damon and Ben Affleck team with Emmy-winning director James Moll to cover the most physically demanding marathon ever attempted as a three-man international expedition team attempts to run across the blistering-hot Sahara desert on foot with little more to drive them than a steady supply of FreeLife's Himalayan Goji Juice. With 4000 miles of treacherous terrain that stretches across Mali, Niger, Senegal, Libya, Egypt, and Mauritania, this punishing run offers the equivalent of two marathons a day for seventy-five days. No one has ever accomplished such a feat before, and if these brave adventurers reach their lofty goal they will have set the bar for human endurance to a spectacular new level. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide