New Tidbits for Your Brain
Stay Healthy!
New “Yoga for the Brain” offered at the B.R.A.I.N. Offices at 5656 Corporate Ave.Cypress, Ca. 90630 from 10-11am. Call (714)828-1760 for more information.
7 foods that help your brain
1. Coconut Water is high in potassium, a mineral that is critical for brain health. People who do not get enough potassium tend to have a slower rate of brain activity
2. Blueberries are super rich in inflammation-fighting antioxidants. They also increase cell growth associated with memory.
3. Sardines contain generous amounts of omega-3s which maintains memory and can lower the risk of dementia.
4. Walnuts are loaded with omega-3s as well as Vitamin E which has shown to slow the progression of Alzheimer's and lower “bad” cholesterol.
5. Sweet Potatoes are low-glycemic food that causes only small fluctuations in blood sugar which can help you maintain energy and concentration.
6. Green tea contains a potent antioxidant that protects brain cells from free radicals. L-theanine an amino acid in green tea is found to improve concentration, energy, and reduce anxiety
7. Turmeric has a bright yellow color that indicates high levels of antioxidants that reduce C-reactive protein, a substance that indicated inflammation in the brain and other tissues. (Source:Daniel G.Amen, MD)
Exercise Your Brain!
How Smart is your right foot? Challenge your brain!
This will confuse your mind and you will keep trying over and over again to see if you can outsmart your foot!
While sitting, lift your right foot off the floor and make clockwise circles.
Now while doing this, draw the number “6” in the air with your right hand. Your foot will change direction.
Keep your brain agile. Here are some fun, quick challenges:
Switch it up: Use your non-dominate hand to drive your computer mouse or brush your teeth. Slip your watch on the opposite wrist. Turn it upside down.
Refocus senses: Turn off the TV volume and follow the action by visuals only, or keep the volume on and close your eyes periodically to see if you are right.
Turn the page: Read upside down
Trash talk: Avoid the word “the” for two-minute conversation challenge. Partners keep count of each of the other’s “the’s” while trying not to say any of their own.
Take Proper Precautions!
Brain Injury Warning Signs
Seek medical attention if you are experiencing:
Numbness
Excessive drowsiness
Severe headache
Weakness in your arms or legs
Dizziness or loss of vision
Slurred speech
Loss of consciousness or confusion
Vomiting or nausea
Stay Informed With Current News
Fiber Tracking Helps Brain Injury Victims
Brain injuries, especially concussions (mild traumatic brain injury), are often referred to as invisible injuries because when someone suffers one, often pinpointing the degree of damage to the brain and tracking the person’s progress during recovery can be difficult if not impossible.But a new imaging technique, fiber tracking, is working to change that.
Fiber tracking, also known as High Definition Fiber Tracking or HDFT, allows doctors to view and actually track the broken neural connections in the brain. This allows doctors to understand exactly the extent of the damage done and what brain functions might be impacted.
This new technology may be especially useful in the case of a concussion.
For instance, let’s say an athlete suffers a concussion during a football game, or a personal injury victim sustains a mild traumatic brain injury in a car accident, an MRI or CT scan might not indicated any damage. In fact, someone could have suffered a serious head injury and have a CT or MRI that is completely normal but HDFT could show her doctors exactly where the damage is done by coloring those pathways in a different color then the normal pathways.
The technology was first developed at the University Of Pittsburgh School Of Medicine in the Department of Neurological Surgery. The hope is that this technology as it becomes more widespread will allow doctors to make visible brain injuries once thought to be invisible.
If you would like more information regarding brain injuries and HDFT refer to “Science Daily”.
(Source: Burlison, Brett A. “Fiber Tracking Helps Brain Injury Victims”. Burlison Law. October 12, 2012.