Nutrition. Vitamins. You.
Methyl-B Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND Most people have heard that it can improve your health if you take a B complex. You may even have heard the term “methylation”. But do you know what that term means? Why does it even matter? This blog …
Neuropathy Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND Neuropathy is usually something that most people associate with diabetes. This is an accurate connection because one of the most common causes of neuropathy is diabetes. But did you know that neuropathy can also occur after cancer treatments? To …
Cerebral Care
Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND
I wanted to take the time to talk about one of my favorite formulas for our memory and brain health. This formula is called Cerebral Care. But what is it about this formula that I like so much? Well to start with it’s a powder so it’s easy to use. It’s also made up of some amazing nutrients that help our brain and memory. Let’s review a few of these nutrients, shall we?
Let’s start with the first item, inositol. What the heck is inositol? Inositol has been called vitamin B8 but that is not exactly accurate. It’s a type of sugar produced by the body that is important for the functioning and development of our cells. Now I know what you’re thinking, but Dr. Claire I have diabetes! Inositol is perfectly safe for you to use and may even help you to better process insulin! Inositol has quite a few health benefits. According to the Cleveland Clinic inositol may be helpful for metabolic syndrome, PCOS, as well as both Gestational diabetes and even preterm birth. (1) But what does inositol do for our brain? Studies have found that using inositol lead to improved outcomes in depression, anxiety, panic disorders and OCD. (2) Studies have found that inositol can help with aspects of brain health such as brain development, memory and even improve our ability to learn. (3)
The next nutrient that is in Cerebral Care is Acetyl- L Carnitine (Alcar). Alcar is also a nutrient in our Purples Hx. For information on how L Carnitine can benefit the heart please check out my blog on Purples Hx! Studies have found that using Alcar after a brain injury leads to better outcomes, especially in terms of memory. (4) A study in the International Journal of Neurology and Neurotherapy found Alcar can help improve memory. (5) In another study it was found that Alcar can enhance cognitive function and even decrease the rate of cognitive decline in those with certain disorders. (6) Studies have also found that Alcar can help with symptoms of chemo brain including learning or memory acquisition, spatial memory and even short term memory. It was also found that Alcar can reduce cognitive impairment in those with chemo brain. As a side note I’d like to point out that Alcar was found to help protect the liver and kidney in those who are experiencing chemo brain. (7)
The next nutrient that is in the Cerebral Care is choline. Well one thing I’d like to point out is that choline is an essential nutrient. This means your body needs it to work properly but is unable to make it. This means it must come from your diet or supplement regime. (8) Studies have found a correlation between a higher choline intake and better cognitive performance. (9) Studies have found that choline can help improve our verbal memory. (10)
The next item is phosphatidylserine or PS as I like to call it. Studies have found that PS can help with verbal recall as well as improve our memory. (11) As more studies are done on PS the results are finding that supplementation with PS can improve cognitive impairment by improving the brain’s storage ability, our learning ability and even memory. (12)
The last nutrient in Cerebral Care is Astaxanthin. To start with what the heck is astaxanthin? Basically it’s a red pigment that is a very strong antioxidant. (13) Studies have found that it can help to improve our cognitive function. (14)
As you can see Cerebral Care is an overall amazing formula for our brain and memory! Our next topic will be neuropathy.
Sources:
THE MEDITERRANEAN DIET~ THE FOOD AND SUPPLEMENTS By: Allie Might, FMC, INHC, ATT The Mediterranean Diet is often thought of as one of the best ways of eating. This is a great example of how a well-balanced diet, combined with complimentary supplements, can set …
Invite Health Powders Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND Invite Health has an amazing line of superfood powders that can easily be incorporated into your vision heath protocol. These powders include Reds Hx, Purples Hx and both Greens Hx and Organic Greens. These powders easily complement …
THE KETO DIET~ IS IT OR ISN’T IT GOOD FOR EVERYONE?
By: Allie Might, FMC, INHC, ATT
The Keto Diet…we’ve all heard about it, we all have opinions on it, but what do we really know about this diet theory. It seems as though many people have a love/hate relationship with Keto as there’s not a lot of middle ground when considering this plan. However, what do we really know about it and is it the right choice.
So what exactly is a Keto diet? Simply put, it’s a diet low in carbohydrates and high in fat…I sometimes refer to it as “The New Atkins”. However, this is not the okay to load up on such indulgences as bacon and cheese. The key is to have lean proteins and healthy fats, while eliminating processed foods, carbs and sugar.
Keto is widely used as a weight loss diet. This is likely how most people know this diet as it’s heavily discussed on social media, on television and online. Studies have shown that this diet can be effective for short-term weight loss or even as a good kick start to healthier eating habits. While initially keto has shown to improve cardiovascular health, the long terms effect are still unknown. Many people have shown to have problems when transitioning away from keto. These may include, but are not limited to, weight gain, digestive problems or increases in blood sugar.
Studies recommend, as do I, a Keto Diet as a therapeutic diet. It has been shown to be beneficial for those with such cognitive disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, Autism, mental health issues and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). This is due to the proportions of high fat to low carbohydrate to normal protein, as well as the balancing of bacterial microbes within the gut.
The high fat, healthy fats, component of this diet has been studied for its effects on the brain. We know that incorporating healthy fats are needed for help nourish and promote brain function. Some good fats to add to a keto friendly diet include oily fish like salmon, olive oil, some nuts and avocado.
To get an idea of what a day in the life of The Keto Diet looks like, here is a sample:
BREAKFAST:
2 eggs cooked in 1 Tablespoon organic butter or ghee with a side of ½ sliced avocado
LUNCH:
Spinach salad with cucumber, ½ diced avocado, grilled salmon and drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and the juice of ½ lemon
SNACK:
1 oz. Brazil nuts
DINNER:
4-6 oz. lean beef cooked in 1 Tablespoon organic butter or ghee, 1 smashed clove of garlic and a sprig of rosemary, with a side of steamed asparagus
Digestive Hx can be helpful for many of those that adopt a Keto diet. This is often due to the high amounts of protein, fats and dairy that many consume on a daily basis. The combination of enzymes help the digestive system to breakdown and absorb the meals eaten with ease and less gas buildup.
Fish Oil is a common go-to for omega-3. Fish, and therefore fish oil, has been shown to increase cognitive ability. Due to the EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), which are beneficial for heart and brain health.
Multi Energy Powder is a complete multi vitamin, mineral and antioxidant formula in an easy to take powder. Starting the day with a good foundation of a complete multivitamin can get your day started off right.
Probiotic Maintain is a perfect complement to the Digestive Hx. Using a probiotic formula daily is a good habit to follow, particularly when eating a strict diet like Keto. Taking care of the digestive tract and maintaining a well-balance of healthy bacteria can help set you up for a healthy transition through this diet plan. My pro-tip is to use the Probiotic Hx Immune if using Keto for kids…and speak to a health professional regarding dosage.
As you can see while a Keto Diet may be good for weight loss, it’s a great go-to therapeutic option for anyone concerned with or experiencing issues regarding any brain conditions. Now that you have a better overview of The Keto Diet, do you think it is right for you and your goals?
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8322232/
www.webmd.com/diet/keto-diet-for-beginners
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7480775/
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10431618/
www.everydayhealth.com/ketogenic-diet/diet/best-worst-fats-eat-on-keto-diet/
ketogenic.com/benefits-of-ghee-on-the-ketogenic-diet/
health.clevelandclinic.org/how-to-smoothly-transition-off-the-keto-diet
www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/326204#summary
www.webmd.com/diet/features/what-to-know-about-omega-3s-and-fish
