Alzheimer’s Disease runs in my family.  It’s a horrible disease, stripping your identity, abilities, and mind.  The victim of this disorder is left eventually helpless, unable to do anything for themselves, and not able to recognize family or friends.  Life skills vanish, they don’t know where or who they are- even what the date is.  It is a horrible way to live, and a terrible thing to watch someone go through.

Some people live decades with Alzheimer’s Disease.

For this reason, myself and many people in my family have been taking Ginkgo Biloba for years, as it was recommended and thought to ward off things like Alzheimer’s Disease, dementia, and sharpen the mind. Even doctors and pharmacists recommend it- it is the “most prescribed supplement in Germany (and apparently the treatment of choice for dementia), and is #9 in sales among herbals in the United States” (source- Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database).

However, I was at my neurologist yesterday (I suffer from migraines) and he told me that there have been new studies out that prove Ginkgo Biloba is not only ineffective, but also that it can cause seizures from long term use as well as lead to bleeding in the brain spontaneously or increasing any bleeding that may otherwise occur.  I began to read all the studies that he presented to me, and I will for sure not be taking Ginkgo Biloba any more.  There does not seem to be any benefit, but there does seem to be quite a few risks that I don’t need to take.
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New health and diet fads have been rising and falling for years. For instance, fish oil popularity has been waxing and waning since the 1970s. The latest research has shown that there are a lot of new and old herbal and chemical components working as brain food which help with mental health, memory and intelligence. Even with continuing research there are still no conclusive results, but that does not stop supplement manufacturers and suppliers from marketing to the general public. Among all the chaff, there are several health food and supplements which clearly show potential.

In recent studies, these five brain food have been consistently recommended by experts:

1. Creatine. Gym rats and body builders swear by creatine when it comes to building body mass and bulking up. There has been evidence to counter these claims, however, recent research show that creatine helps in improving memory. The same researches have also shown that creatine helps with attention span. These benefits are enough for a second look as it may look help keep brain cells from atrophy. Additionally, if there is a history of alzheimer’s or dementia in the family, creatine supplements might help stave off the onset.

2. Chocolate. The effects of chocolate on the brain has long been documented. The flavanols in cacao enhances the brain’s cognitive functions. However, for best results it is suggested to have dark chocolate, preferably 90% and unsweetened. This almost pure chocolate is the upper limit of commercially available consumer class chocolate. Although clinical studies show that it has the least potency compared to others on this list, it is also inarguably the only item on this list which can be considered a fun food item.

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There are many supplements out there these days.  Some of which are what some would call snake oil.  Some times this is true, other times it is just people who don’t understand how something as simple as a pill could improve your health.  We are going to look at something that can actually help, not snake oil but squid ink.  Squid ink is a source of Natrium, Potassium, phosphorus,Calcium, Magnesium, & Selenium, besides rich protein. Squid is also a good source of vitamins B1, B2, B12, Tiamin, Riboflavin, Niasin, Folic acid and vitamins A,D,E,& K.  All of which make it a great immune system booster.  With just one pill a day it is a simple way to naturally increase your immunity during flu and cold season without taking hand fulls of vitamins, minerals and herbs.
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