mental cognition Archives - Amazing Health Advances

Surprising Secret to Sharper Memory & Mental Clarity

The AHA! Team — Fri, 08 Aug 2025 05:20:18 +0000

Lori Alton via NaturalHealth365 – A familiar staple of spice racks and kitchen cabinets, rosemary is prized by cooks for the piquant flavor it lends to recipes. However, recent research shows that this common culinary herb provides some uncommon benefits when it comes to cognitive function and recall. A British study found that sniffing the essential oil of this ancient herb can improve memory by a remarkable 75 percent, making it a possible treatment for memory problems. Further supporting this, a 2024 study published in Adv Gerontol found that inhaling rosemary essential oil helped elderly participants improve performance in mental tasks, particularly word recognition and proofreading, highlighting its potential for enhancing cognitive function. How did researchers arrive at these results about rosemary? The British study, conducted by psychologists at Northumbria University in Newcastle, involved 66 people. Some were exposed to a rosemary-scented room, in which four drops of essential oil were placed on an aroma stream diffuser and switched on for five minutes before the participants entered. Another group worked in an unscented room. The psychologists found that the participants in the rosemary-scented room performed between 60 and 75 percent better on assorted memory tasks and simple arithmetic than the control group – an impressive result. As part of the study, researchers took blood samples to detect levels of 1,8-cineole, a constituent of rosemary linked to improving memory function. Participants in the rosemary room had higher levels of cineole, demonstrating that the compound can enter the bloodstream through inhalation. In their findings, the team concluded that rosemary could have implications for treating memory impairments, especially in older adults experiencing some decline. Rosemary seems particularly helpful in promoting “prospective memory,” helping people remember future events such as appointments or medication schedules. New studies build on earlier research In an earlier study published in 2003 in the International Journal of Neuroscience, researchers examined the effects of rosemary and lavender and found that rosemary produced significant enhancements in performance for overall memory quality. Interestingly, lavender oil deterred memory, probably because of its mildly sedating effects. While lavender helped people feel more “content,” compared to the placebo, rosemary helped people feel simultaneously more content and alert. In a study of aromatherapy published in Psychogeriatrics, researchers examined the effects of rosemary and lemon administered in the morning – and lavender and orange in the evening – on patients with dementia. The team found that patients experienced significant improvement in personal orientation – with no side effects. Other studies have supported the ability of rosemary to both promote concentration and enhance memory of past events. Research corroborates ancient wisdom Scientifically known as Rosmarinus officinalis, natural healers have long used rosemary to boost the immune system, reduce inflammation, fight pathogens, and promote healthy digestion. Although modern research is exciting, rosemary’s ability to improve memory and facilitate learning has been known since antiquity. The ancient Greeks treasured the herb for its memory-enhancing properties, and it was customary for scholars to wear strands of rosemary in their hair when taking exams. The herb’s useful effects were no secret in Elizabethan England, either. Shakespeare alludes in several plays to “rosemary for remembrance.” Fight cancer and oxidative stress in your brain The antioxidant value, or ORAC score, of rosemary, is a massive 3,300, giving it the same potent free radical-fighting power as goji berries. This herb is rich in carnosic acid, an antioxidant that fights oxidative stress in the brain. Another constituent, carnosol, is strongly antioxidant and anti-inflammatory as well. Researchers have found that carnosol selectively targets cancer cells while leaving healthy cells unharmed. Of course, studies into the cancer-fighting effects are ongoing. Regarding usage, some natural health experts recommend adding a few drops of essential rosemary oil to a diffuser and running it for about an hour daily. For topical use, dilute a small amount of the essential oil in a carrier oil and massage it onto your upper neck for potential cognitive benefits. We suggest you check with a trusted holistic healthcare provider before using any herb to enhance memory. This is especially important if you have any brain health issues. Sources for this article include: NIH.gov Medicalnewstoday.com Dailymail.co.uk NIH.gov To read the original article click here.

The post Surprising Secret to Sharper Memory & Mental Clarity appeared first on Amazing Health Advances.

Alzheimer’s Doctor: Here’s How to Avoid Getting It or Reverse Symptoms if You Already Have It

AHA Publisher — Thu, 20 Aug 2020 07:00:45 +0000

Lorie Johnson via CBN News – Alzheimer’s is a scary disease because it means not remembering loved ones or how to do basic things like getting dressed. Until recently, doctors didn’t know what caused it and couldn’t offer much help. However, now that’s changed. Just like a roof with dozens of holes can only work if all of them are repaired, Alzheimer’s has dozens of causes that must all be addressed, according to Dr. Dale Bredesen who has researched the causes and treatments of Alzheimer’s Disease for more than thirty years. “Let’s make dementia a rare problem. Let’s make Alzheimer’s a rare disease, just as it should be,” Dr. Bredesen told CBN News His book, The End of Alzheimer’s Disease: The First Protocol to Enhance Cognition and Reverse Decline at Any Age lists the many different causes of Alzheimer’s and describes how his Bredesen Protocol can prevent the disease and has been shown to reverse symptoms in people with mild to severe cognitive decline. Sally Weinrich reversed her symptoms when she started the Bredesen Protocol after being diagnosed with the early stages of Alzheimer’s Disease. “You can get your cognition back, and that’s what counts,” she told CBN News. She has been on The Bredesen Protocol for four years and has remained mentally sharp the entire time. “I thank God for everything,” she said, “From helping me hear about Dr. Bredesen, from the chance to talk to you and share it with others, because that’s God’s wish, for others to have health, and to help me appreciate and treasure my loved ones even more, who’ve been very instrumental and critical in my reversing Alzheimer’s.” She says her husband Martin discovered The Bredesen Protocol through an internet search and helped his wife get started on it. The First Step The first step of the Bredesen Protocol involves getting what’s called a “cognoscopy.” “We recommend that everyone 45 years of age or older, consider getting a cognoscospy,” Dr. Bredesen said, “Especially for anyone who has any Alzheimer’s or dementia in their family. Get checked out early and get on prevention.” A cognoscopy tests for each of the dozens of Alzheimer’s risk factors. It’s a simple procedure that involves giving blood and taking a quick, online quiz that measures a person’s mental capacity compared with other people who are the same age. Since each person is different, the results will vary. The online test measures things like memory and reaction time. The blood tests measure levels for good things like Vitamin D, Magnesium and Zinc as well as bad, such as toxins and inflammation. DNA is Not Your Destiny The cognoscopy also tests your genetic risk. Approximately 75 million Americans, roughly one in four people, carry one copy of the ApoE4 gene, which equates to a thirty percent increase in the risk of Alzheimer’s. Approximately seven million Americans carry both copies of the gene, which means they have more than a fifty percent risk of developing Alzheimer’s Disease. Two-thirds of Americans with Alzheimer’s Disease carry one or both copies of the ApoE4 gene. Three-quarters of Americans carry two copies of the ApoE3 gene, which means they have a nine percent chance of developing Alzheimer’s during their lifetime. Dr. Rebecca Ryder is one of the more than 1,500 physicians who has trained under Dr. Bredesen and prescribes his protocol to her patients. “It is a complicated disease,” she said. “There is no one magic bullet.” Until now, too many people didn’t want to know whether they carried one or both copies of the ApoE4 gene because they felt there was nothing they could do about it. However now the opposite is true. People should know early whether they carry the gene because with early intervention science now tells us it’s possible to silence it, or “turn it off.” “There are some things we can not control. Our genes. The genes we were dealt with,” Dr. Ryder said, “But there’s a whole field called epigenetics which says how our genes are translated. So those lifestyle factors, your diet, your exercise, all that affects what genes are promoted or not promoted for your health.” Your Personal Program Patients can learn the nearest location of a health care professional who has trained in the Bredesen Protocol on the website. Patients can also work with their primary care physician to prescribe the blood work needed for a cognoscopy. Patients can also get a cognoscopy by working directly with practitioners at Apollo Health, the brain health community founded by Dr. Bredesen. Dr. Ryder says she reviews the results of a patient’s cognoscopy with them. “Most patients will have a combination of things,” she explained,” Like they’ll have a little bit of hormone, a little bit of blood sugar problems, maybe a little bit of toxin exposure.” Based on the results of the cognoscopy, the patient is prescribed a tailor-made program using diet, exercise, sleep, stress reduction, supplements, and more. “We’ve seen some good reversals of cognitive decline here,” Dr. Ryder said, “I mean, I have seen the patients get better here. Not all of them. As with anything, the earlier you catch it, the better.” Success Stories So far more than 5,000 people have started the protocol. Dr. Bredesen and his team have documented cases of patients who initially scored low on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, or MoCA, a screening that measures brain function, who improved after adopting the protocol. Likewise, patients who had poor EEGs, which measure brain-wave speed showed improvement and those with brain shrinkage detected on MRI scans later showed increased volume after being on the protocol. “Those 5,000 some of them MoCA scores of zero and late stage,” he explained, “Now, no surprise, the earlier you get started the easier it is to get positive outcomes. However, we have seen some people even in [the] late stages with improvement.” Dr. Bredesen published research studies documenting cases with before and after evidence of improved cognition, including Sally Weinrich’s. “Life’s good,” Sally said, “So no matter what stage you’re at, or if you have what society calls ‘aging problems,’ I’d encourage all your viewers to just do it. It’s worth it.” Meanwhile, Dr. Bredesen’s research continues. “We’re in the midst of the first trial in history in which, instead of predetermining a treatment, saying, ‘OK, we’re going to treat with this drug or that drug, we’re instead looking at all of the different contributors to the cognitive decline for each person, and then addressing those,” he continued, “And this is the way of the future. This is the way people will be treating cognitive decline for years to come.” So instead of using a single drug to treat Alzheimer’s Disease, it appears a customized, multi-pronged approach to treatment and prevention could be the best strategy to fight this scourge. To read the original article click here. For more articles from CBN News click here.

The post Alzheimer’s Doctor: Here’s How to Avoid Getting It or Reverse Symptoms if You Already Have It appeared first on Amazing Health Advances.

Can Magnesium Boost Cognition? Current Studies Suggest…

AHA Publisher — Wed, 12 Aug 2020 07:00:25 +0000

Dr. Don Colbert – Do you consider magnesium an important part of your diet and/or supplementation protocol? Although often overlooked, magnesium deficiency seems to be a growing problem in the modern diet. In fact, studies show that it’s a vital mineral for many parts of human health. But can magnesium boost cognition? Here are a few current studies in which researchers try to answer this question, and how you may want to adjust your diet for whole-body health. Magnesium and Health Magnesium is an incredibly important nutrient in the human body. In fact, magnesium is a mineral involved in energy production, blood sugar regulation, bone health, sleep cycles, immune system, and more (1). And, while it largely goes undiagnosed, many individuals are at risk of deficient magnesium in the modern world. Why? Possibly: Overuse of magnesium-depleting medications including diuretics and proton pump inhibitors Eating processed and refined foods (which are often very low in magnesium), Depleted soils result in lower magnesium in crops (2) Magnesium losses in sweat that are not replaced Unfortunately, some serious health issues can result from magnesium deficiency. These include diabetes, poor absorption, chronic diarrhea, celiac disease, and bone issues. People with alcoholism, or who follow a strict diet that eliminates high-magnesium foods are at an increased risk (3). And now, we’re learning more about magnesium and cognition. Too much magnesium can be harmful, and too little may increase the risk of decline. Here’s what a few current studies show and how to get the balance right. Can Magnesium Boost Cognition? The Studies There have been several studies that show cognitive benefits with supplemental magnesium. These include: 1. Magnesium-Calcium Ratio Cognition Study One study researched the cognitive effects of changing the ratio of calcium to magnesium consumed by participants. It involved 240 healthy participants over 65 years old and found that cognitive tests improved by 9.1% over 12 weeks when magnesium was increased to a ratio of 2.3 to 1, calcium to magnesium. The daily dose of magnesium ranged from 77.25 mg to 389.55 mg (average 216.5), with the goal of a 2.3 to 1 ratio (4). The researchers believe magnesium supplementation affects activity in a gene that plays a role in calcium signaling in nerve cells and may be associated with late-onset Alzheimer’s disease (at a gene (APOE)). It’s the effects on this gene that are associated with improvements in cognitive function. Of note, magnesium did not have effects on people younger than 65 years of age. Also, while aiming for better calcium to magnesium supplementation ratio, it’s important to avoid high levels of magnesium and a ratio lower than 1.7 to 1. High magnesium supplementation may actually have negative effects on cognition. High amounts of magnesium can also cause diarrhea and loose stools. (5). 2. Magnesium and Cognitive Decline A large U.S. study that included 6,473 women found that participants who consumed between 257 mg and 317 mg of magnesium per day from foods and supplements had a 37% lower risk of developing mild cognitive impairment compared to those who consumed less than 197 mg per day (6). This study followed the intakes of women for approximately 20 years, beginning around age 70 years old. A similar study from the Netherlands of more than 9,500 adults found that those with the lowest or highest blood levels of magnesium (respectively, 0.79 mmol/L or less and 0.9 mmol/L or greater) were approximately 30% more likely to develop dementia (predominately Alzheimer’s disease) over the course of the study compared to those with mid-range levels (0.84 to 0.85 mmol/L). These results were stated after adjusting for factors such as age and other diseases (7). The adults’ intakes were tracked for about 8 years. Magnesium is also often used in laxatives. One study from Taiwan of more than 6000 men found that those who were prescribed oral magnesium oxide as a laxative for an average of 5 months were 48% less likely to develop dementia over the next 10 years than those who were not. Again, the results were considered after adjusting for factors such as age, gender, and other medical conditions (8). What’s more, those who took the laxatives for more than a year were 59% less likely to develop dementia. Unfortunately, total magnesium from diet and other supplements was not tracked. None of these studies show cause and effect, but they do establish associations between magnesium intake and/or blood levels, and cognitive decline. 3. Magnesium and Memory Magnesium is also thought to support memory. One animal study found that rats given a magnesium supplement (magnesium-L-threonat) performed significantly better on long and short memory testes. Incredibly, magnesium-L-threonate also improved signaling of a specific part of brain receptors associated with the ability to store information. Other forms of magnesium tested, including magnesium chloride, magnesium citrate, magnesium glycinate, and magnesium gluconate, but did not provide as significant results. They were not as efficient at raising magnesium levels in the central nervous system (as measured by levels in cerebrospinal fluid) (9). How to Get Enough Magnesium Current recommendations are to aim for about 300-400 mg magnesium per day via foods and supplements. You may get enough through foods, but if not, consider supplementation. Also, consider your calcium intake, and aim for a 2-2.5 to 1 ratio of calcium to magnesium in supplements. For example, if taking 500 mg calcium, your supplement should contain about 250-300 mg magnesium. Many supplements are formulated with a 2:1 ratio. Keto Food Sources of Magnesium Importantly, there are some good food sources of magnesium. These include: Raw Cacao (106 mg per 2.5 Tbsp) Hemp Heart Seeds* (197 mg per 3 Tbsp) Pumpkin Seeds* (300 mg per 1/4 cup) Ground Flaxseeds* (110 mg per 1/4 cup) Spinach (78 mg per 1/2 cup) Almonds, Cashews, and Peanuts (60-80 mg per 1/4 cup) Avocado (44 mg per cup) Plain Yogurt (42 mg per 8 ounces) *Nuts, seeds, and grains contain phytic acid. Phytic acids bind magnesium and make it more difficult to absorb, rendering some foods as low bioavailability for magnesium even though they contain the mineral. Bottom Line Magnesium is a very important mineral in human health. And while more research is warranted, there are current studies that support its role in brain health. Check your intake and make sure you’re getting the magnesium you need each day. To read the original article click here.

The post Can Magnesium Boost Cognition? Current Studies Suggest… appeared first on Amazing Health Advances.