Who am I ? - Alzhemier's

What is Alzheimer's disease?

Alzheimer's disease is a neurological disorder in which the death of brain cells causes memory loss and cognitive or behavioral decline. A neurodegenerative type of dementia, the disease starts mild and gets progressively worse.


Basically the total brain size shrinks with fewer nerve cells and connections.


Nerve fibers surrounding the hippocampus - the brain's memory center, become entangled and information is no longer carried properly to or from the brain. As such, new memories cannot be formed and old memories cannot be retrieved.

As more neurons die, additional parts of the brain are affected, and they begin to shrink. By the final stage of Alzheimer’s, damage is widespread, and brain tissue has shrunk significantly.

Causes

Dr. Alois Alzheimer who first identified the disease in 1906 found plaques which are numerous tiny, dense protein deposits known as beta-amyloid scattered throughout the brain that become toxic to brain cells at excessive levels. Brain cells depend on an internal support and transport system to carry nutrients and other essential materials throughout their long extensions. The tangles are within the brain neurons - from a disintegration of another protein, called tau. In Alzheimer's, threads of tau protein twist into abnormal tangles inside brain cells, leading to failure of the transport system.


In a nutshell, abnormal deposits of proteins form amyloid plaques and tau tangles throughout the brain, and once-healthy neurons stop functioning, lose connections with other neurons and eventually die.


Symptoms


As Alzheimer's accounts for between 60% and 80% of all cases of dementia, doctors have to be satisfied that there are symptoms of dementia present.


Observations involved cognitive or behavioral symptoms that show a decline from previous levels of "functioning and performing" and interfere with ability "to function at work or at usual activities. Also, symptoms of memory loss, especially in the area of learning and recalling new information.


Typical early symptoms of Alzheimer’s may include:

• Regularly forgetting recent events or appointments, names and faces.
• Repetitive questions or conversations after a very short interval.
• Misplacing personal belongings or putting them in odd places.
• Uncertainty about the date or time of day.
• Getting lost on a familiar route or becoming unsure of their whereabouts or getting lost, particularly in unusual surroundings.
• Impaired speaking, reading and writing.
• Becoming low in mood, anxious or irritable, losing self-confidence or showing less interest in favorite activities.

As the disease progresses, the patient may have reactions that seem out of character like compulsive, obsessive, temperamental or socially unacceptable behavior. Some common reactions include repeating the same action or words, hiding possessions, physical outbursts and restlessness.


It can deteriorate further to affect a person’s coordination and mobility, to the point of inability to perform day-to-day tasks such as eating, bathing and getting dressed. Some do experience incontinence and neglect personal hygiene completely.


Finally, the most prominent deficits in "executive dysfunction" would be to do with reasoning, judgment and problem-solving. The person feels severely confused, disoriented and even hallucinated.  No longer can one intend or control the behavior with the resultant change in the brain structure. As a result, there may be total dependence on others for basic care. In the worst scenario, the person may be bedridden as the body shuts down.


Risk factors


(1)  Controllable factors


Some evidence suggests that the same factors that put you at risk of heart disease also may increase the chance that you will develop Alzheimer's. Examples include:

• Lack of exercise
• Obesity
• Smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke
• High blood pressure
• High blood cholesterol
• Poorly controlled type 2 diabetes
• A diet lacking in fruits and vegetables

Late-onset Alzheimer's arises from a complex series of brain changes that occur over decades. The causes probably include a combination of genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors (enumerated above). The importance of any one of these factors in increasing or decreasing the risk of developing Alzheimer’s may differ from person to person.



(2)  Uncontrollable factors


People with early-onset Alzheimer's represent less than 5% of all sufferers with genetic mutation being the usual cause. Having Alzheimer's runs in the family is associated with higher risk which may manifest around 30-60 years of age. Having a certain gene (the apolipoprotein E or APOE gene) puts a person, depending on their specific genetics, at 3-8 times more risk than a person without the gene.


Other contributory factors include:

Age - though not a normal part of aging, it afflicts 10% of the general population over 65 and as many as 50% over 85.

Prior head injury - mostly tie to the severity of trauma history.

Sleep disorders (eg. the breathing problem sleep apnea).

Low educational and occupational attainment.

Down syndrome -  signs and symptoms of Alzheimer's tend to appear 10 to 20 years earlier in people with Down syndrome than the general population because they have an extra copy of chromosome 21, which contains the gene that generates harmful amyloid.

Precautions/prevention


There is no known cure for Alzheimer's disease - the death of brain cells in the dementia cannot be halted or reversed. Research has some interesting findings which call for modification of lifestyle to reduce the occurrence or severity of the disease:


(1)  Most sufferers are found lacking in nutrition due to unbalanced diet, consuming too much processed foods and drug medication. For example:
-  Vitamin B range are vital in cognitive functioning.   
-  Antioxidants like Vitamin A, C and E are crucial in clearing free radicals which can attack the brain cells.
-  Minerals such as boron, potassium and selenium are important in preserving cell integrity.


(2)  Autopsies of patients who have died of Alzheimer's reveal excessive amounts of aluminum in their hippocampus area and in the cerebral cortex -the external area of grey matter responsible for higher brain functions eg. abstract thinking, judgment, memory and language.


(3)  Another toxic metal that can penetrate the blood barrier encapsulating the brain is mercury. For most people, the release of mercury from dental amalgams is the primary means of this exposure.


(4)  Powerful immune system proteins called complement proteins have been found around the plaques and tangles in the brains of patients dying from Alzheimer's. Some experts theorize that such proteins normally help to clear away dead or degenerating cells which in turn produce amyloid. Unfortunately, the immune system attacks the healthy cells as well resulting in a critical mass accumulating in the brain.


Recommendations

The Alzheimer's Association recommends important some elements of dementia care:

• Effective management of any conditions occurring alongside the Alzheimer's.
• Activities and/or programs of adult day care - A new study, published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, finds that any kind of exercise can improve brain volume and cut the risk of Alzheimer's disease by 50%.
• Support groups and services.

A nutritious diet, physical activity, social engagement and mentally stimulating pursuits have all been associated with helping people stay healthy as they age. These factors might also help reduce the risk of cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease.


Though aging is a natural process, we do not have to end up suffering from Alzhemier's!


Viva corner

Viva Oxypower contains coenzyme10 which helps to increase oxygenation of cells and is involved in the generation of cellular energy. B-easy with its folic acid content to aid in controlling homocysteine levels and B12 content to boost memory and cognitive functions.

People with Alzheimer's tend to have a shortage of some vital chemical messengers
which are responsible for transmitting signals around the brain. Viva Biolecthin with choline can assist to improve nerve communication.

Chloroguard is an well-rounded product that provides a whole range of vitamins, aminos, fiber and minerals. Its Omega3 content provides the essential DHA for proper brain functioning. It is also a blood cleanser agent that can remove heavy metals from obstructing circulation. Viva Ageguard provides the amino acids for the formation of regenerative tissue.

Liquick gingko helps to improve blood circulation in the capillaries lying the brain so that more oxygen can be delivered before more brain cells are suffocated. The grape seed extract in Cellpex is a potent antioxidant that readily passes the blood brain barrier to protect brain cells from radical damage.

Lost in time - dementia

 

Senility is defined as the weakness or mental infirmity of old age, and is associated with the deterioration of the body and mind in the elderly (usually defined in this context as over 65 years of age). It is commonly referred to as dementia.

Different areas of the brain control different skills and abilities. When mental functions such as memory, language, orientation or judgment deteriorate, this may be a direct result of the way dementia has affected the brain. In simple terms, it refers to a loss of brain cells to a point where mental disability results.

Causes

There are various diseases associated with senility though not all of them are directly associated with advanced age and can occur in children and babies.

These degenerative brain diseases include:

• Alzheimer’s Disease
• Parkinson’s Disease
• Vascular Dementia
• Huntington’s Chorea
• Creutzfeldt-Jakob
• Lewy Body Disease

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of senility, where people experience extreme forgetfulness such as difficulty remembering past events (especially the more recent ones) as well as learning new things. Damage to the brain begins years before symptoms appear. Abnormal protein deposits form plaques and tangles in the brain of someone with Alzheimer’s disease. Connections between cells are lost, and begin to die. In advanced cases, the brain shows significant shrinkage.

Other causes of senility include:

• Drug addiction
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Stroke
• Poor nutrition
• Thyroid dysfunction (e.g. Hashimoto’s Disease)
• Alcoholism
• Constant lack of sleep

A recent study conducted found people in their 30s and 40s who are constantly lacking sleep could find themselves with dementia by their 60s.  This is because in our slumber the brain is clearing the protein wastes (beta amyloid) that develop when it processes the energy required. The rate of clearance is estimated to be 6 times during this time as compared to awakening hours.  Failure to reduce this accumulated pile can result in brain damage in the years to come.

Other less common conditions which may accompany senility include:

• Urinary Tract Infection
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Wilson’s Disease
• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
• Brain Tumor
• AIDS Dementia

Diagnose

Properly diagnosing degenerative brain diseases like senility requires a professional screening and/or evaluation by a healthcare practitioner. An accurate assessment is after 6 months of signs and symptoms present observed by the sufferer or close family and friends. In all types of general cognitive dysfunction, higher mental functions are affected first in the process.

Signs & Symptoms

Senility is caused by the degeneration of the brain cells. As a result, senility symptoms can include:

• Progressive memory loss
• Anorexi
• Poor judgment
• Impaired concentration
• Confusion

Often, noticeable personality changes are signs of senility.

Symptoms of dementia can be classified as either reversible or irreversible, depending upon the etiology of the disease. Less than 10% of cases of dementia are due to causes that may presently be reversed with treatment. Causes include many different specific disease processes, in the same way that symptoms of organ dysfunction such as shortness of breath, jaundice, or pain are attributable to many etiologies.

Pain

As people age, they experience more health problems, which mostly carry a substantial burden of pain. Statistics put between 25% and 50% of older adults experiencing persistent pain. Seniors with dementia experience the same prevalence of conditions likely to cause pain as seniors without dementia. Pain is often overlooked in older adults and, when screened for, often poorly assessed, especially among those with dementia. Beyond the issue of humane care, unrelieved pain has functional implications. Persistent pain can lead to decreased ambulation, depressed mood, sleep disturbances, impaired appetite and exacerbation of cognitive impairment, and pain-related interference with activity is a factor contributing to falls in the elderly.

Help needed

+ Generally, because it is a degenerative condition, individuals suffering from senility become progressively worse with time. Especially in the later stages of the condition, affected persons may be disoriented in time (not knowing what day of the week, day of the month, or even what year it is), in place (not knowing where they are), and in person (not knowing who they are or others around them).

+ Additional mental and behavioral problems often affect people who have dementia, and may influence quality of life, caregivers and the need for institutionalization. As dementia worsens individuals may neglect themselves and may become disinhibited and incontinent as their condition worsens. Dementia, though often treatable to some degree, is usually due to causes that are progressive and incurable.

+ Even for incurable cases, early recognition can allow you to create a management plan that will ensure the greatest quality of life for the greatest amount of time, while lessening common senility symptoms. A thorough examination and accurate diagnosis is necessary to create a successful management plan.

+ Adult daycare centers as well as special care units in nursing homes often provide specialized care for dementia patients. Adult daycare centers offer supervision, recreation, meals and limited health care to participants, as well as providing respite for caregivers.

+ While some preliminary studies have found that music therapy may be useful in helping patients with dementia, their quality has been low and no reliable conclusions can be drawn from them.

+ Medications can be prescribed to slow the progress of senility and other degenerative brain diseases, but success is often coupled with unwanted side effects, particularly in the elderly patient. In any case, medication should be used in conjunction with psychiatric or behavioral therapies.

+ Unlike prescription medications, alternative therapies like natural remedies are virtually free of these unwanted side effects, and are a welcome treatment option for managing senility symptoms. They also work well in combination with psychiatric or behavioral therapies.

+ Additionally, proper nutrition, exercise, and positive lifestyle choices are important in sustaining mental clarity. As we grow older, it is important to participate in stimulating activities, thus keeping our minds active, this is especially true for the elderly.

+ To be healthy in late life, a rich accumulation of life experiences – education, marriage, socializing, a stimulating job, language skills, having a purpose in life, physical activity and mentally demanding leisure activities help to keep the brain going. One can even have significant Alzheimer’s pathology and no symptoms of dementia due to such high cognitive reserve, says David Bennett, M.D., of Chicago’s Rush University Medical Center.

 

Hence, do not neglect the importance of social interaction, good friends and family relationships to enjoy a fruitful ripe age.

Source: http://www.nativeremedies.com/ailment/senility-degenerative-brain-diseases-info.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dementia

Nutritional benefits

+ A combination of herbal and homeopathic remedies such as Ginkgo biloba, Hawthorn, Rosemary and American Ginseng provide safe, effective relief and support the brain and mental health.

+ Vitamin deficiencies and chronic infections may occur at any age, with symptoms manifesting before dementia occurs. Hence, routine blood tests can be performed to rule out treatable causes when an elderly is suspected of abnormalities like confusion or disorientation.

+ Degenerative dementia can be due to deficiencies of vitamin₁₂, folate or niacin (all found in the Vitamin B family). High levels of the amino acid homocysteine are linked to brain shrinkage and an increased risk of Alzheimer's and B vitamins are known to suppress it. In a study conducted among participants taking high doses of folic acid and vitamins B6 and B12, blood levels of homocysteine were lowered as was the associated brain shrinkage – by up to 90%!


+  A “severe deficiency” of vitamin D boosts older Americans’ risk of cognitive impairment 400%, an alarming study by England’s University of Exeter finds. Experts recommend a daily dose of 800 IU to 2,000 IU of vitamin D3.  Researchers believe that optimal vitamin D levels may enhance the amount of important chemicals in your brain and protect brain cells by increasing the effectiveness of the glial cells in nursing damaged neurons back to health.

VIVA corner

+  Ageguard and Royal Jelly increases and balances hormones respectively and thus retards aging.


+  Biolecithin improves neuro transmission of messages with its protective mechanism on the myelin sheath covering the neurons.

+  Dailyguard provides a host of nutrients to feed the cells for healthy growth.

+  High intake of the omega-3 fats EPA and DHA is essential for preserving the brain cells and eliminates any inflammation, thereby slowing down its progression and lowering your risk of developing brain disorder.

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How brain works (I)

Physiologically, the function of the brain is to exert centralized control over the other organs of the body either by generating patterns of muscle activity or by driving secretion of chemicals called hormones.

The brain is made of three main parts: the forebrain, midbrain and hindbrain. The forebrain consists of the cerebrum, thalamus and hypothalamus (part of the limbic system).

 

The cerebrum or cerebral cortex is the largest part of the human brain, associated with higher brain function such as thought and action. Its wavy structure enables the brain to function more efficiently,  because it can increase its surface area and the amount of neurons within it - estimated to contain 15–33 billion neurons each connected by synapses to several thousand other neurons.

Frontal Lobe- associated with reasoning, planning, parts of speech, movement, emotions and problem solving.  A damage can lead to changes in sexual habits, socialization and attention as well as increased risk-taking.

Parietal Lobe- associated with movement, orientation, recognition, perception of stimuli.  A damage can result in problems with verbal memory, an impaired ability to control eye gaze and problems with language.

Occipital Lobe- associated with visual processing.  A damage can lead to problems with memory, speech perception and language skills.

Temporal Lobe- associated with perception and recognition of auditory stimuli, memory and speech. A damage can cause visual problems such as difficulty recognizing objects, an inability to identify colors and trouble recognizing words.

Brain damaging habits

+  People who skip breakfast are going to have a lower blood sugar level. This leads to an insufficient supply of nutrients to the brain causing brain degeneration. It also causes hardening of the brain arteries, leading to a decrease in mental power. 

+  Smoking causes multiple brain shrinkage and may lead to Alzheimer disease. 

+  Excessive sugar consumption interrupts the absorption of proteins and nutrients causing malnutrition and may interfere with brain development. 

+  The brain is the largest oxygen consumer in our body. Inhaling polluted air decreases the supply of oxygen to the brain, bringing about a decrease in its efficiency. 

+  Sleep allows our brain to rest. Long term sleep deprivation accelerates the death of brain cells.

+  Sleeping with the head covered increases the concentration of carbon dioxide and decreases concentration of oxygen that may lead to brain damaging effects. 

+  Working hard or studying with sickness may lead to a decrease in effectiveness and damage the brain. 

+  Thinking is the best way to train our brain, lacking in brain stimulation thoughts may cause brain shrinkage. 

+  Intellectual conversations do promote the efficiency of the brain and vice versa if talk rarely.

Differences of two sexes’ brains

In 2001, researchers from Harvard found that certain parts of the brain were differently sized in males and females, which may help balance out the overall size difference. The study found -

+ Parts of the frontal lobe, responsible for problem-solving and decision-making, and regulating emotions, were larger in women. 

+ In men, the parietal cortex, which is involved in space perception, and the amygdala, which regulates sexual and social behavior, were larger.

 

+ Men seem to think with their grey matter where nerve cells make up this surface of the cerebrum, filled with active neurons. Women think with the white matter, where fibers underneath carry signals between the neurons and other parts of the brain and body. In this way, a woman’s brain is a bit more complicated in setup, but those connections may allow a woman’s brain to work faster than a man’s. Some women even have as many as 12% more neurons than men do.

Knowing about the differences in male and female brains could open up tremendous opportunity in diagnosing and treating brain disorders. For example, depression and chronic anxiety occur more often in women as one study conducted showed that women produce only about half as much serotonin (a neurotransmitter linked to depression) as men and have fewer transporters to recycle it. Another plausible explanation is the female brain being more responsive to emotions and pain. On the contrary, men are more likely to be diagnosed with autism, Tourette’s syndrome, dyslexia and schizophrenia.

 

PROTECT your brain cells (II)

 

This picture illustrates the vital component cell and connectivity in our brain - the neuron or nerve cell.  An average human brain contains about 100 billion of such neurons which are connected at about one trillion points known as synapses. The signals that form your memories and thoughts move across the neurons as minute electric charges. When these charges reach a synapse, they trigger the release of the brain chemicals called neurotransmitters to enable signals to transmit to other nerve cells in progression.

Inadequate supply of neurotransmitters can render the mind to malfunction, resulting in a temporary blackout, loss of memory or permanent failure.


Functions of the brain

The brain weighing a mere 1.5 kg is the focal point of our thinking, feeling and behavior, that defines the characteristics of human nature – personality, temperament and impulses. Found within, the master gland known as pituitary gland, plays a vital role in regulating all the other functions of the hormonal glands in our body.

This explains why such a small organ consumes about 80% of available energy daily. This includes 15% of cardiac output, 20% of all oxygen consumption and 25% of total body glucose utilisation (glycogen is brain food). 

Hence, a disruption to the brain’s blood supply can impair its functioning and cause behavioral and personality changes at time.

Knowledge of brain-behavior relationships, the core basis of a scientific discipline named neuropsychology, plays a pivotal role in understanding the role reasons for some unusual behaviour associated with some mental disorders like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson disease, schizophrenia, autism, depression, down syndrome and mania.

Unique features of the brain

Our brain pieced together with the spinal cord and peripheral ganglia, constitute the nervous system. With the exception of neural stem cells and a few other types of neurons, neurons do not undergo cell division and thus no regeneration of cells.

Note the peculiarity of our brain in that it is usually utilised up to 10% of capacity because most areas are channeled for storage purpose and random use only. People who use their talent to focus on a specific area tend to gain a stretch of the portion of the brain reserved for that purpose. For instance, Einstein registered at 27% widening of that section of his brain cut out for creativity.

Brain structure

A human brain is grossly divided into the interconnected left and right hemispheres, each with four functionally distinctive regions normally working concurrently: temporal (language processing and memory), occipital (vision), parietal (somatic or bodily sensations) and frontal (executive functions and planning).

Downsizing to cellular level, every neuron is surrounded by a plasma membrane, a bilayer of lipid molecules with many types of protein structures embedded in it – an important one is lecithin containing unsaturated fats, choline, glycerols and phospholipids. Basically it acts as a powerful electrical insulator.

A number of specialized types of neurons exist:

- Sensory neurons respond to touch, sound, light and numerous other stimuli affecting cells of the sensory organs that then send signals to the spinal cord and brain.

- Motor neurons receive signals from the brain and spinal cord, cause muscle contractions, and affect glands.

- Interneurons connect neurons to other neurons within the same region of the brain or spinal cord.

A neuron is made up of 4 parts:

+ Cell body or soma
The soma is the central part of the neuron. It contains the nucleus of the cell, and therefore is where most protein synthesis occurs

+ Dendrites
Thin structures that branch out in multiples from the cell body, often extending for hundreds of micrometres giving rise to a tree-shaped complex

+ Axon
An axon is a special cellular extension that arises from the cell body in single form at a site called the axon hillock (the part of the neuron that has the greatest density of voltage-dependent sodium channels) and travels for a distance, as far as 1 m in humans or even more in other species, giving rise to hundreds of branches along the way. It is often possible for severed peripheral axons to regrow but take longer time.

+ Axon terminals
At the tip of the axon, the axon terminal contains synapses, specialized structures where neurotransmitter chemicals are released to communicate with target neurons.
Communication is usually passed on when signals are sent from the axon of one neuron to a dendrite or soma of another. Exceptions do happen eg. neurons that lack dendrites or have no axon; synapses that connect an axon to another axon or a dendrite to another dendrite.

Communication within….

Imagine the cell as our earth encrusted with an ozone layer and the core where major activities take place.

The interior of the neurons are electrically active where ion channels are found that discharge electrical ions to flow across the membrane, and ion pumps that actively transport ions from one side of the membrane to the other.

Most ion channels are permeable only to specific types of ions and some are voltage-gated, meaning that they can be switched between open and closed states by altering the voltage difference across the membrane. Others are chemically gated, meaning that they can be switched between open and closed states by interactions with chemicals that diffuse through the extracellular fluid.

The interactions between ion channels and ion pumps produce a voltage difference across the membrane. This voltage has dual functions: first, to provide a power source for an assortment of voltage-dependent protein machinery that is embedded in the membrane; second, to provide a basis for electrical signal transmission between different parts of the membrane.

Signal out…..

Neurons communicate by chemical and electrical synapses in a process known as synaptic transmission. The fundamental process that triggers synaptic transmission is the action potential, a propagating electrical signal that is generated by harnessing the energy generated on the membrane of the neuron.

Imagine axons as the wire cables. Thin neurons and axons require less metabolic effort to produce and carry the action potentials, but thicker axons convey impulses more rapidly. To minimize such metabolic expense while maintaining rapid conduction, many neurons have insulated myelin sheaths around their axons to aid in speeding up than in unmyelinated axons of the same diameter.


What can go wrong?


With increasing age, the brain undergoes a number of changes that affect its functionality:


+  Certain areas of the brain actually shrink, including the hippocampus and the prefrontal cortex, which are involved in memory, learning and other complex mental activities.


+  Not only neurons shrink, the connections between the neurons also deteriorate and become less extensive, causing the level of neurotransmitters to decrease.


+  The aging brain undergoes a gradual reduction in blood flow and may accelerate the process of inflammation within. In a stroke incident, the blood supply to a certain region of the brain is interrupted due to blockage or rupture of blood vessels. Lacking blood supply for a short intermittent period can lead to irreversible cell death and half functioning in that specific region. The patient can lose expressive speech, voluntary control of the arms and legs, or emotional control.


+  The deteriorating effect is worsened with free radical attacks from external sources.


+  One’s brain cells can die gradually if they are underutilised for prolonged period or lack of nourishment. Hence, it is advisable to keep the mind alert by thinking hard, interact with more people daily and avoid too much idling moments like watching soap operas on television.


Other associated disorders -

+ Multiple sclerosis is a neurological disorder that results from demyelination of axons in the brain and spinal cord. The nerve damage is caused by inflammation which occurs when the body’s own immune cells attack the nervous system, commonly linked to a virus or genetic defect, or a combination of both. Most sufferers are women in the age group 20-40.

+ Dementia is the medical term used to describe a group of symptoms consisting of memory loss, impaired judgment, disorientation and behavioral changes, which are of sufficient severity to cause loss of function. It is not part of normal aging, although the elderly are more susceptible to becoming demented. In our modern societies school children and working adults under stress can be victims of dementia too. A simple test to conduct is to replay all happenings for the last 3 days. If you failed to recall most matters, beware that dementia is developing within.

+ Alzheimer’s disease is a neuro-degenerative disease characterized by progressive cognitive deterioration with declining activities of daily living and neuropsychiatric symptoms or behavioral changes. The most striking early symptom is loss of short-term memory (is like memory full), which usually manifests as minor forgetfulness that becomes steadily more pronounced with illness progression, with relative preservation of older memories. As the disorder progresses, cognitive (intellectual) impairment extends to the domains of language, skilled movements and recognition, and functions such as decision-making and planning become impaired. A dissection of the brain tissue will show brownish patches of protein plaques and a shrinkage of brain size.

+ Parkinson’s disease is a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system that often impairs the sufferer’s motor skills and speech. It belongs to a group of conditions called movement disorders, characterized by muscle rigidity, tremor, a slowing of physical movement and in extreme cases, a loss of physical movement. The primary symptoms are the results of decreased stimulation of the motor cortex by the basal ganglia, normally caused by the insufficient formation and action of dopamine, which is produced in the dopaminergic neurons of the brain. Secondary symptoms may include high level cognitive dysfunction and subtle language problems. It is both chronic and progressive.

Preventive measures

Proper nutrition, exercise, and positive lifestyle choices are important in sustaining mental clarity.

+ As we grow older, it is important to participate in stimulating activities, thus keeping our minds active. In fact, aging process has little, if any, bearing on the ability to recall information.

+ Having a rich accumulation of life experiences – education, marriage, socializing, a stimulating job, language skills, a purpose in life, physical activity and mentally demanding leisure activities, keep the brain going if are able to score on high cognitive reserve, says David Bennett, M.D., of Chicago’s Rush University Medical Center.

+ Alcoholics and drug addicts often suffer a great deal from memory loss.

+ Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) can affect the brain function as it requires the level of glucose in the blood to fall within a very specific narrow range.

+ Medications can be prescribed to slow the progress of senility and other degenerative brain diseases, but success is often coupled with unwanted side effects, particularly in the elderly patient. If medications had to be applied, they should be used in conjunction with psychiatric or behavioral therapies.

VIVA corner

One reason why many people suffer from memory loss is an insufficient supply of necessary nutrients to the brain. Blood is the life giver, feeding and nourishing every cell within our bodies. The brain is surrounded by a protective envelope known as the blood-brain barrier, which allows only certain substances to pass from the bloodstream to the brain. Do not let this area be clogged or nutrient-rich blood cannot reach the brain cells and become malnourished.

+ The precursor of lecithin, choline is a neurotransmitter that sends message to and from the brain and is shown to have a significant effect in delaying the deterioration of memory and deceleration of the onset of Alzheimer’s Disease. The protective sheath surrounding the brain and the interior of nerve cells also contain lecithin for proper central nervous functioning. VIVA Biolecithin is formulated based on scientific grounds and contains much lecithin precursors.

+ Vitamin B complex enhances immunity, involved in dopamine production and aids in the formation of neuron transmitters to keep a healthy nervous system. Expect to see relieve symptoms caused by stress and improve memory, response and thinking process. Viva B-easy offers the easy solution with all the entire range available in one, concentrated from yeast, in meeting our daily requirement.

+ According to scientific studies, DHA is the main component of human cerebral cortex (about 80%)and thus sufficient intake of DHA is important for brain development, especially in protecting brain tissue and reducing brain tissue injury. VIVA Omega 3 offers high EPA and DHA content extracted from high concentrated deep sea fish body oil in a more absorbable triglyceride form.

+ The major function of the gingko biloba leaf is to increase blood circulation to the brain, enhance nervous transmission, delay the aging process of the temporal and limbic lobe in the brain that responsible for memory management. Senile dementia patients suffer from poor blood circulation to the brain causing those cells to shrink in size due to the lack of oxygen. It works for people suffering from migraine, memory loss and cold limbs. Basically, gingko works well in penetrating through tiny capillaries and dilate blood vessels to improve peripheral circulation. VIVA Liquick Gingko is a highly concentrated extract from the gingko leaves in the ratio of 50:1.

+ Our brain cells are made up of protein building blocks known as amino acids. With passing time the master (pituitary) glands secretes lesser and lesser hormones, leading to degeneration of brain cells and neurotransmitters. Coupled with insufficient intake of nutrients, premature aging sets in readily. VIVA Ageguard is a proprietary formulation of free form amino acids that act as natural HGH releaser to defy aging process.

Yellow GOLD – Lecithin

   

The word lecithin comes from the word lekithos, which is Greek for egg yolk.  The name was derived when lecithin was first discovered in 1805 by the French scientist Maurice Gobley who isolated the compound from an egg yolk.  Its ability to emulsify well puts it a popular choice in the commercial sector as an emulsifier, preserving the texture of foods and enabling them to be more shell stable.

Then in the mid 1930s, lecithin was recovered from the waste products of soybean processing, a discovery that changed the whole outlook of commercial lecithin. Today, most of the commercial lecithin we find in the market is sourced from soybeans.

Sources

Lecithin are produced in certain amounts throughout the major organs of the body (such as the heart, liver and kidney) and transports throughout the nervous and circulatory systems. It can thus be found in the 75 trillion cells in our body, including the 15 billion nerve cells of the brain and the protective sheath at a concentration of about 17-31%.


Lecithin comprises four vital components - unsaturated fatty acids, choline, glycerols and phospholipids.


The precursor of lecithin  – choline is an ‘essential‘ nutrient which bodies cannot manufacture and have to derive externally from food sources, including soy, beef liver, steak, eggs, peanuts, cauliflower and oranges, where B vitamins, phosphoric acid, linoleic acid and inositol are also found.


Functions

Lecithin aids in absorbing fats to create cell membranes and structures, as well as prevents the hardening of cell membranes as they are a critical part in monitoring a cell's intake and output. This first level of defence is essential for healthy body functioning in maintaining the resistance to many diseases.

Choline is a neurotransmitter that sends messages to and from the brain and is necessary for the proper functioning of the liver and gallbladder.

Benefits

1. Aging and overall health

Phospholipid (fat-based) enhances the body’s absorption of fat-soluble vitamins such as A, D, E and K and is a key building block of cell membranes – to stay semi-permeable and non-hardened, and facilitate the movement of fluids inside and outside the cell. Hence, it is useful in the prevention of aging and various diseases, as well as maintenance of health and beauty.

2.  Metabolic and cardiovascular health

As a component of bile, lecithin keeps fats emulsified. You have noticed how fats work under certain conditions. When exposed to low temperature, they tend to turn white and go into a semi-solid state.  Conversely, when exposed to high temperature, they turn completely liquid. Imagine what would happen to the body if our fats or lipids, are subject to the slightest change in temperature. That is why one of the benefits of lecithin is its emulsifying action – keeping fats properly balanced and maintained.

By coating on the cell membranes it can act as a protective wall or sheath throughout the body to protect and strengthen the linings and prevent detrimental debris from sticking. The lubrication provided creates a slippery lining on which it is difficult for large, fatty deposits to specific regions of the body, which are then transported to the liver to be metabolized and converted to energy. At the same time, choline helps to transport both cholesterol and triglycerides from the liver to other parts of the body where they are needed. As such, bad cholesterol (LDL) and triglycerides are reduced, and good cholesterol (HDL) is increased. Both choline and folate can convert homocysteine into less harmful substances, which otherwise contribute to the development of heart and blood vessel diseases as well.

Improved circulation can be observed to help in preventing blood clots and maintaining the health of vital organs. Those who wish to lose weight can include lecithin in their diet too.

3.  Liver health

Choline is known to be effective against fatty liver and impaired liver condition. Research showed that a lack of choline in mice caused a rapid accumulation of fats in their liver cells within 2-3 hours, which in turn led to the inflammation and swelling of the liver. After treated with lecithin, drastic improvement was seen and the condition of the liver returned to normal. It can also fix up liver damage caused by excessive consumption of alcohol or other toxins.

4.  Mental health

Choline is crucial for nerve functioning, including aiding in nerve signaling and maintaining the membranes of brain cells and thus plays an essential part in brain development and growth.

When our body is short of choline, our brain function is impaired and can lead to the deterioration of memory and learning ability. Thus, the benefits are promising to patients suffering from various psychological and neurological diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease, dementia and bipolar disorder (also known as manic depression). Note that improved memory and recall is a sign of a brain's overall standard of health.

5.  Endocrine health

Owing to hormonal imbalance and changes in metabolism, most women will experience uncomfortable symptoms such as depression, backache, hot flush etc.  Lecithin helps to regulate hormonal secretion, thus alleviating symptoms of menopause.


6.  Healthy pregnancy


Pregnant women need much more choline than others as this macronutrient is rapidly used by fetuses whilst their brains, cell structures and nerve channels are forming. Some studies have shown that high choline consumption result in a child's better chance of later having healthy, sharp brain functioning and a lower risk of brain abnormalities. On the contrary, choline deficient can cause neural tube defects and developmental problems.

Breastfeeding is most ideal for infants, as it provides the essential nutrients most needed for rapid developmental growth. Kids who are breast-fed tend to have better immunity, lessen allergic reaction and lower rate of new-born diseases like lung and intestinal disorder. Feeding mums who increase

Lecithin intake during the lactation period sees higher production of breast milk as it reduces blockages of the milk duct, breast congestion and inflammation. This way it alleviates the pressure inflicted and soothe the breasts feeding process. A direct benefit for such mums is contraction of uterus, faster post-delivery recovery and lower incidence risk of breast cancer.


Not to be missed given that lecithin is a vital nutrient to promote infant's mental and nerve development, it is added to most infant formulas.

Frequency of use

+  Lecithin can be used as a tool to help the body recover from previously identified conditions or shortcomings, as well as for preventive purposes. Individuals with a history of any neurological or cardiovascular condition may take lecithin as a supplement to lessen their chances of a recurring issue.


+  Dosage can be increased with choline deficiency symptoms such as low energy levels, memory loss, cognitive decline, learning disabilities, muscle aches, nerve damage and mood changes.

+  As choline is present in animal products, vegetarians are more prone to experience a deficiency. Given the fact that folate and choline take on complementary roles, obtaining more folate from foods like leafy green vegetables and certain grains can compensate for the reduced intake of choline.

+  For more consistent results, it can be supplemented on a regular basis.  Recommended daily dosage of choline as follows:


Infants & babies - 125-150 mg
Kids ages 1-8: 150-250 mg
Teens ages 8-13: 250-375 mg
Ladies above age 14: 425-550 mg
Men above age 14: 550 mg


+  Excessive dosage is not fatal but can cause some negative reactions including nausea, bloating, constipation, skin rashes, abdominal pain and other digestive problems.

Viva corner

Lecithin is available in VIVA Biolecithin. In addition, it is one of the main ingredients in VIVA LipoGuard and VIVA Smartee.

VIVA Biolecithin is formulated based on scientific grounds and contains large amount of lecithin precursors that boost the body to naturally produce the purest form of lecithin.  Easy to take, the powder can be sprinkled onto soup, porridge, cereals, salad or other food.

VIVA Smartee with fish oil concentrate (DHA & EPA), glycerin, gelatin, soy lecithin (enhance memory power), natural vitamin E, natural beta-carotene oil suspension is a great booster for a child’s growth and development.

Multiple Sclerosis

  

Multiple sclerosis is a progressive, degenerative disorder affecting the central nervous system comprising the brain, optic nerve and spinal cord.

The effect can be inflammation and scarring on the myelin sheaths of the brain and spinal cord. Once replaced by hard scar, it results in improper neuron function and jerky shaky movements. The nerve fibers can then be affected by the scar tissue and lead to total incapacitation for severe cases. Overall, it has very little effect on a patient’s life span.

This is a disease hard to predict as its course and symptoms vary with individuals. However, the chance of getting it is high for people with the following profile:

+ Women

+ Diagnosed before age 35

+ Have long intervals between relapses and complete recovery from relapses

+ Have relapses with sensory symptoms (such as numbness and tingling), rather than symptoms such as tremor or spasticity

A relapse (can be exacerbation, flare or attack) is either a worsening of symptoms that you experienced previously, or the appearance of new symptoms.  The types are as follows:

+  Relapsing-Remitting MS: The majority (about 85%) of people with MS receive an initial diagnosis with definite periods of relapses, then a remitting of symptoms, eventually recovers entirely or almost entirely.
+  Secondary-Progressive MS:  The symptoms steadily worsen for those who failed to recover.

+  Primary-Progressive MS: 15% of sufferers with the disease but no relapses or remissions, rather a steady course of progression.
+  Progressive-Relapsing MS: Only 6-10% of people receive this diagnosis where the disease follows a steady course of progression, but there is no relapse of acute symptoms.


Causes

 

-  The medical community believes this to be an auto-immune disorder, with the body’s immune system malfunctioning and producing antibodies to attack the myelin sheaths connecting the brain and spinal cord. It can also be invoked by a viral attack.

-  Controversies about the use of artificial sweetener with aspartame being a causative agent. As excitotoxins comprise 40% of its molecular structure, excessive exposure can damage the myelin sheath producing cells causing MS. Further combined with monosodium glutamate (MSG), this level is elevated several fold higher than normal. As a result it can convert a patient with benign, subclinical condition into full-blown clinical MS.

-  Other likely causes are: the environmental factors, infectious diseases and genetics.

Symptoms

There are over 50 known symptoms linked with MS, all which can vary in severity, duration and associated disability. The most common ones are:

• Fatigue
• Depression
• Bladder dysfunction (severe cases)
• Numbness and/or tingling
• Sexual dysfunction
• Bowel dysfunction
• Pain
• Dizziness and vertigo
• Spasticity
• Tremor
• Vision problems
• Cognitive impairment
• PARALYSIS (advanced cases)

Diagnosis

Basing on symptoms alone may not be accurate as they also manifest in many other diseases and disorders. Other related issues are:

• Too many symptoms involved
• Symptoms may appear in isolation or combination
• Symptoms can vary in severity
• Symptoms can disappear suddenly

Beside checking on medical history, neurologists are likely to conduct combined tests like MRI scans, neurologic exam, lumbar puncture and blood test.

Treatment

MS is not curable. However, there are treatment that are showing great promise for slowing down the progression of the disease.

+  One example is medications prescribed for the disease-modifying therapies on progression to secondary-progressive MS that work to slow down the damage and symptoms caused by MS by preventing relapses.

+  Doctors may prescribe medications to address most symptoms or for behavioral or dietary modifications, physical therapy (to regain lost skills) or psycho-social therapy.
-  Exercise and massage reduce spasms and help maintain optimal condition of unaffected muscles.
-  Avoid stress and fatigue.
-  Avoid exposure to extremes of heat and cold
-  Infection to be treated promptly
-  Not overweight which can put stress on already weakened muscles

 

+  For relapse treatment, high-dose corticosteroids are usually applied intravenously to reduce inflammation in the central nervous system,  to shorten the duration and severity of relapses.

Source: http://ms.about.com/od/multiplesclerosis101/a/ms_intro.htm

Viva corner

Other than good nutrition for a MS patient, some supplementation can help to bring improvement.

+  As this is likely an auto-immune disorder, VIVA germanium can help to put the immune system in order and reduce pain.

+  VIVA Omega3 contains DHA that can protect brain tissue and prevent further injury.  Its EPA content can enhance the immune system and reduce inflammation.

+  An important component in VIVA Biolecithin – choline provides the link to send messages to and from the brain and thus crucial for strengthening the nervous tissue.

+  Antioxidants found in VIVA C complex and Vivashield are important in protecting cell membrane and DNA from oxidative damage, especially in relapse progression.

Migraine attack again!

             

Overview


A migraine is a severe throbbing headache or a pulsing sensation, usually on just one side of the head. It is often accompanied by nausea, vomiting and tremendous sensitivity to light and sound. Just snapping your fingers or clapping around them can cause excruciating pain to be disabling. An attack may occur anywhere from once a week to once or twice a year, lasting for hours to days.

Bio-chemistry


Traditional research has described migraine as vascular headaches involving excessive dilation or contraction of the brain's blood vessels.

Recent studies viewed the source from within. Though a scan performed shows a visible inflammation in the meninges (brain’s outer covering), it is not the source of the pain. The throbbing pain comes from activated nerve surrounding the skull, blood vessels and head muscles. It starts off with chemical imbalances in the brain, especially when the chemical serotonin (vital for sleep, mood and appetite) drops during a headache. This triggers an impulse along the nerve to blood vessels in the meninges. The stimulated nerve releases substances called alcitonin gene-related peptides which both induce inflammation and send messages to pain receptors in the meninges.

Causes

+  A large study on 50000 samples taken in Finland, Germany and the Netherlands has discovered a genetic risk factor associated with common migraines arising from a build-up of this chemical glutamate, known to affect also those with Alzheimer’s disease, Lou Gehrig’s Disease and glaucoma. The typical profile of a migraine sufferer is a woman who is hardworking, productive perfectionistic, rigid and meticulous with family history of migraine. These women should avoid birth control pills to or may encounter precipitate attack or severe complications. On the other hand, men are usually the victims of cluster headaches occurring on both sides of the brain with high pain intensity on each round lasting 15 mins - 3 hours.

* Glutamate is one of the ordinary 20 amino acids which are used by the body to make proteins and other typical metabolic functions like energy production and ammonia detoxification.  It is required only in small amounts by the nervous system, to perform the role of transmitter and assist in normal brain function including cognition, memory and learning. However, presents in high concentrations this compound can be toxic but it is commonly used as a food enhancer (best known as “monosodium glutamate” or “MSG”).
--  Another food additive - aspartame is also capable of triggering migraine.

+  Both headaches and migraine can be induced by food intolerance, particularly those that contain high level of amine compounds such as coffee, chocolate, aged cheese, oranges and red wine, or nitrates (eg. bacon, hot dogs and salami) commonly used in salty and processed foods.

+  Low blood sugar level can also trigger headache as sugar is the food of the brain cells. The lower the sugar level, the more severe the attack. Similarly, skipping meals or fasting can induce an attack.

+ The one-sided headache can affect women having their menstrual periods with low levels of estrogen, mostly occurring in their age group 20-35 which tends to decline with age. It can be so extreme to cause limb numbness, hallucinations, nausea and vomiting. Others have an increased tendency to develop migraines during pregnancy or menopause. Hormonal medications, such as oral contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy, may find comfort for some women whilst others experience worsening effect.
+  Dizziness and vertigo often occur when the sufferer has migraine with aura. The sensations are actually related to the inner ear, leading to problems like sound sensitivity, hearing loss, ringing in the ears and coordination difficulties.

+  Personal factors include stress, poor nutrition intake, allergies, constipation, inadequate sleep, emotional changes and lack of exercise.

+  External factors such as environmental factors, pollution and bacterial infection (cold).

+  Liver damage can cause severe headache and detoxification must be quickly carried out.

Warning signs 


For most sufferers, a day before the onset of a headache, there may be noticeable changes in mood, speech and memory problem. Come the actual moment, some sufferers may see flashes or patterns of light, blind spots and/or experience numbness of the hands, feet or on one side of the face due to decreased blood circulation.  This is followed by a headache affecting either one or both sides of the head and feeling nauseated that may linger on even when the headache dissipates. Poor appetite due to slow food absorption and extreme tiredness put the sufferer into sleep easily.

Treatment

+  Migraine attack can be ended if the sufferer breathes slowly and deeply into a bag, inhaling his expired air to raise the carbon dioxide level of circulating blood.  The arrest can be done in 10-30 mins.
 
+  A drug Sumatriptan provides quick relief to acute migraine attacks by increasing the serotonin in the brain but has common side effects like dizziness, drowsiness, anxiety and malaise. Other drugs listed below can also treat the problem but have disastrous results such as coronary artery constriction and hypertension.


+  A better alternative is to take food which can raise the level of tryptophan in the brain as this substance processes serotonin, leading to a calming effect. It is particularly plentiful in chocolate, oats, dried dates, milk, yogurt, cottage cheese, red meat, eggs, fish, poultry, sesame, chickpeas, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, spirulina, bananas and peanuts. Also note high protein foods promotes the production of dopamine and norepinephrine (both are neurotransmitters) which promotes alertness.

+  Other choices are taking caffeine with its calming effect and soy-based product lecithin for better nerve transmission.

+  Listening to soothing music and practise other relaxation techniques.

VIVA corner:

VIVA Green Barley can help to stabilise blood sugar level. Together with VIVA Cleanse Tea, can help the body to rid the pollutants piled up as we are living in a virtual sea of chemicals these days. Viva B-easy provides the full range of Vitamin B needed for a healthy nervous system and helps to increase the blow flow to the brain.

VIVA Biolecithin contains choline, which assists in the function of nerve transmission and strengthening nerve tissues. VIVA CalMag & Magnesium helps to regulate muscular tone and to transmit nerve impulses throughout the body and the brain.

VIVA Liquick Gingko enhances cerebral circulation and draws back oxygen and nutrients.