Phosphatidylserine for Memory and Brain Health – InVite Health Podcast, Episode 329
As we age, we lose phosphatidylserine, a nutrient that is crucial for learning and memory. This can impact our memory, mood and brain health.
Tag: mood
SAMe Benefits More Than Just Your Mood – InVite Health Podcast, Episode 287
The supplement SAMe can help promote a healthier state of mind. And while it is beneficial for mood, it is also helpful for hormone balance, according to Amanda Williams, MPH.
How Specific Genes Impact Your Mood & Health – InVite Health Podcast, Episode 202
Invite Health Podcast, Episode hosted by Amanda Williams, MPH
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Have you ever thought about if your genes are making you feel abnormal? Is it possible that our genes are disrupting our mental well-being? The answer is definitely yes. I want to talk today about MTHFR and COMT. It’s really quite common and it’s amazing how many people can have this type of a gene mutation or genetic variation to one or both of those specific genes that can really affect your overall well-being.
I want to discuss the impact that a gene variant can have on how we feel every single day. Do you feel anxious? Are you feeling like you have low mood? There are so many different ways in which our genes, if they are not working properly, can really make a huge difference in terms of our day-to-day functioning.
What are MTHFR and COMT?
When we talk about MTHFR, we are looking at the specific gene that is providing the instructions for your body in order to make the MTHFR protein, which helps the body with processing folate. We know that we need to have folate in order to make DNA, so everything is interconnected. Each person has 2 copies of the MTHFR gene, 1 comes from your mother and 1 comes from your father. We know that if we have any type of a variant in the genes we receive from our parents, this can actually make a really significant impact on how the body is detoxifying. If we become overly toxic, this can impact our overall sense of well-being.
MTHFR is methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase. This is this very key and important enzyme when it comes to the metabolism of folate. We have to have MTHFR in order to have this proper conversion, so this can impact not only our sense of mental well-being, but also when we look at cardiovascular, because we know homocysteine plays a role in this as well.
When we look at things such as anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, and autism, we know they can be impacted via MTHFR. This is why it is very beneficial to consider having your MTHFR test done. This is a very simple test. It’s a genetic test and you just do a simple cheek swab. Then, we get the results back and you can see if you have one of these variants that you receive from your parents. Once you’re armed with that information, you can make adjustments to your dietary intake of things like B vitamins, and recognize that taking a standard synthetic B vitamin is really not the best thing for you because your body has an inability to actually convert that into its bioactive form.
GET PROACTIVE ABOUT YOUR HEALTH WITH COMPREHENSIVE GENETIC TESTING – INVITE HEALTH PODCAST, EPISODE 113. Learn More >>
COMT is a particular gene that plays a really important role in providing the instructions for making the enzyme known as catechol-o-methyltransferase, which is essential when we look at the nerve cells in the brain. It plays an integral role in terms of the functionality within the cortex of the brain and signaling different neurotransmitters like dopamine and norepinephrine. If we have a gene mutation within COMT, this can have an impact on those particular neurotransmitters, which can lead to issues such as feeling very edgy, anxious, or depressed. This is why looking at these things can give you a lot of insight.
Listen to the full podcast episode to learn more about how to help your body if you have an MTHFR or COMT variant.
The Gut-Brain Axis: The Link Between Your Gut and Brain, Part 2 – Invite Health Podcast, Episode 176
In Part 1, we discussed how the gut impacted your memory. Now, in Part 2, let’s discuss the link between your gut and your mood. Here’s what you need to know.
5-HTP for Depression, Anxiety & Stress – Invite Health Podcast, Episode 86
5-HTP easily enters your brain and is quickly converted into serotonin. Serotonin is known as the ‘happiness molecule’ and is a very important neurotransmitter. This is why 5-HTP has been studied for its benefit for mood and overall brain health.
New Study: Curcumin Improves Memory & Mood
? by Osha Key on Unsplash
What is Curcumin?
Curcumin, or Curcuma longa, is a major ingredient in the Turmeric root. It is a ginger-like plant used for its powerful healing properties in China, the Middle East and India. Turmeric refers to the plants underground stem, rich in a variety of powerful ingredients collectively and generically known as Curcuminoids, with Curcumin being the prominent constituent. Turmeric is widely available as a fine, bright-yellow powder. It is a major constituent in curry, giving it both its color and flavor. Traditional Indian medicine has used Curcumin against biliary disorders like issues with the gall bladder, cold symptoms, and swellings caused by injury. The Himalayan system of medicine recommends turmeric for insect stings, wounds, inflammation, pimples and as a skin tonic. This is why many of today’s DIY face masks and cleansers use Turmeric as the main ingredient to stave off acne, blemishes and discoloration.
Research on Curcumin Today
Research on this herb today is exploding, with more than 2000 reports presently available. This is because Curcumin has been shown to act on multiple targets in the human body and at multiple levels.
Memory
Over the years, studies have shown that Curcumin, or taking Turmeric itself, specifically improves memory in older individuals. Researchers at UCLA’s Longevity Center 40 older people with mild memory complaints into their study. Their age ranged from 50 to 90. They were randomly given Curcumin or placebo (a sham capsule) twice a day for 18 months. The participants were given cognitive assessment tests at the start of the study and every six months and their blood was tested to make sure they were actually taking the herbal ingredient. Many also received PET scans of their brains at the start of the study and again at the 18 month point.
A new study says Curcumin may also provide support against diabetes!
Results show the individuals who took Curcumin had a 28% improvement in their memory over the 18 month period. The people on the placebo had no improvement. Those taking Curcumin also had a mild improvement in their mood. Their PET scan also showed significantly less evidence of beta-amyloid brain plaques and less of the tangled mess of nerve tissue known as tauopathy which are both found in Alzheimer’s disease; this was in their amygdale and hippocampus – regions of the brain involved with memory and emotional functions. The study is published in The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry.
Mood
A study published in the journal Phytotherapy Research shows BioCurcumin may benefit individuals with depression. In a small study of sixty patients with major depressive disorder (MDD), participants were split into three groups of 20 and given either 500mg capsule of BioCurcumin twice daily, 20mg daily of fluoxetine, or the combination of BioCurcumin with Fluoxetine. All three groups had good improvement in their level of depression. The proportion of responders as measured by the HAM-D17 scale was higher in the combination group (78 %) than in the fluoxetine (65 %) and the Curcumin (63 %) groups.
Click here for Jerry Hickey, R.Ph’s take on Curcumin!
Reaping the Benefits of Turmeric (Curcumin)
While the benefits of Turmeric extend to inflammation and tenderness, this potent herb can be difficult to absorb. Using Turmeric as a spice adds both flavor and a health-kick, taking Curcumin as a herbal supplement has been shown to produce a more profound effect. Combining Curcumin with 5-Loxin®, a frankincense plant, actually helps in the absorption of the nutrient and with joint discomfort, as it inhibits one of the pathways that cause inflammatory responses throughout the body. Because of this, the combination – called Bio-Curcumin® 5-Loxin® – is a powerful herbal support for joint tissue, brain and intestinal health all in one!
Questions on Curcumin? Leave us a comment below to join the conversation!