Depression Sadness And Grief: What Are Their Differences And Similarities
Many individuals continue to wallow in depression, thinking they are sad or grieving. Different occurrences can be a reason for you grieve. Some include loss of a job, ending a relationship, or maybe losing a loved one to death. These experiences can be painful; as such, it is reasonable to grief or be sad about it.
When most people experience this, they consider themselves depressed, whereas, they are not. However, being sad is not considered the same thing as being sad. When an individual grieves during this period, the process is deemed to be natural, and it shares some of the early stages of depression.
Nevertheless, keep note that grief and depression share two unique similarities that are common in both of them. They include intense withdrawal from usual activities and sadness.
To distinguish between grief and depression, two unique differences that stand out include:
- In grief, most individuals still maintain their self-esteem; in depression, self-worthlessness, self-loathing is common.
- In grief, mixed feelings along with a positive mood are often interchanged, which at times results in mood swings; in depression, constant decrease in mood and increase in negative thoughts and communication.
Meditation Music Writing For Brain Optimization
Long story short, meditation helps us sleep better, relieves anxiety, and improves overall mental clarity and cognition.
Meditation is also convenient; you just need a peaceful, quiet space, and you can do it any time of day.
You also have the freedom to practice any way you like; you can be sitting, standing, or laying down.; You can use breathing techniques, or listen to music.
Relaxing music has been shown to lower blood pressure, regulate stress hormones, and increase the release of dopamine in the brain.
Breathing becomes naturally deeper, and our mood is elevated when we hear the sweet sound of music.
Last but not least, expressive writing has been shown to reduce anxiety, prevent depression, and provide improved clarity of thought.
The science also suggests that unloading our emotional baggage can enhance memory and learning ability by clearing the way for new information.
So these are the 5 practices that can get you more brain power absolutely free.; You just need the discipline to commit to them every day.
Now lets look at some solo nootropics you can take to kick things up another notch.
Incident Cases Of Dementia
We conducted a retrospective cohort study from January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2010, based on the 1,000,000 NHI sample files. All patients aged 65 years or older with incident dementia were included in our study.
We enrolled the incident cases of dementia by choosing those free of dementia diagnoses in 1999 before being enrolled, and the onset date of dementia defined according to the first appearance of the code in the claim data. A total of 12,193 patients with dementia were included in this study. Owing to the strict regulation regarding reimbursement of anti-dementia medication and complexity of the reimbursement procedure in Taiwan, a limited number of dementia patients received reimbursement for anti-dementia medications. In our study, AD patients were defined according to the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision , or depending on whether they ever received reimbursement for anti-dementia medication. Only 1,793 patients were identified as having AD. Most patients with dementia were diagnosed with senile dementia . To present this valuable information regarding dementia patients, we chose to group these patients with non-vascular dementia under degenerative dementia. All patients with dementia were classified into VaD and degenerative dementia in this study. We included the cases where the subjects were diagnosed with dementia at least three times at an outpatient clinic, or at least one time at admission.
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Reversing Brain Aging Where To Start
Most of the nootropics reviewed here on Nootropics Expert could be considered anti-aging supplements.
Weve tons of research that show taking the right nootropic supplements can optimize brain health. And protect you from cognitive decline well into the future.
But choosing the best nootropics for you can be a challenge.
We have dozens of nootropic supplements to choose from. Including amino acids, herbs, minerals, vitamins and even the racetam-family of nootropics.
The permutations and combinations to make your perfect anti-aging nootropic stack can melt your brain. Which is kinda counter to what were aiming for.
So heres a suggestion
Choose one or two from each of the categories listed in this post. Carefully review the full article on each to make sure you understand what each nootropic does. How they may interact with your prescription medications. Check out possible side effects. And select the lowest suggested dosage of each.
And you can save money and time with fewer capsules by including Performance Lab Energy® and Mind Lab Pro® in your supplement choices.
From what we know now, we can go a long way in giving your brain a chance to heal and recover if you have problems with things like memory or depression.
Even if you arent dealing with cognitive decline , you need to take steps today to prevent the aging of your brain. And maintain lifelong optimal cognitive health.
Leading Causes of Death Centers for Disease and Control Prevention cdc.gov
Nootropics For Preventing Alzheimers And Dementia
With an aging population, one of the major concerns is Alzheimer’s and other forms of Dementia which unfortunately has no cure.;
Alzheimers and dementia , have become a major epidemic in North America.
An estimated 1 in every 9 people over 65 in America have Alzheimer’s.
Worldwide, nearly 44 million people have Alzheimer’s, or similar dementia costing the world roughly 605 billion dollars .
In light of this, it has become increasingly important to find ways to prevent this disease before it arrives.;
In general, Alzheimer’s disease starts with mild impairments in memory, communication patterns, and depression, and develops into much worse symptoms of cognitive impairment, and eventual death.
The average lifespan after diagnosed with Alzheimer’s is 4-8 years .
Here, we’ll go over some of the best herbal supplements available for preventing or slowing the onset of Alzheimer’s disease.
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Forget About Those Over
A recent survey found that about 25% of adults over age 50 take a supplement to improve their brain health with the promise of enhanced memory and sharper attention and focus.
The problem? There’s no solid proof any of them work.
“The main issue with all over-the-counter supplements is lack of regulation,” says Dr. Gad Marshall, associate medical director at the Center for Alzheimer Research and Treatment at Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women’s Hospital. “The FDA doesn’t oversee product testing or ingredient accuracy they just look out for supplements that make health claims related to the treatment of specific diseases.”
In terms of brain health, this means a supplement manufacturer can claim a product helps with mental alertness or memory loss but not that it protects against or improves dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. “This way manufacturers don’t have to back up any claim that their product is effective or even safe,” says Dr. Marshall.
Oxidative Stress Hypotheses Of Ad
Recent studies have developed a keen interest in the role of oxidative stress in neurologic disorders. There are indications that free radicals have a role in Parkinsons disease , Downs syndrome , head injury, cerebral ischemia-reperfusion, and AD 32. The CNS is particularly sensitive to damages induced by free radical because of the high lipid content, high oxygen utilization rate, and less presence of antioxidant enzymes in the brain compared to other tissues 33. The most interesting part of the oxidative stress hypothesis for neurodegenerative diseases is that accumulative oxidative injury over a long time could lead to a late onset and progression of neurodegenerative disease 33,34,35.
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The Best Memory Supplements For Seniors Top 10 List
You may be asking yourself, What are nootropics anyway?.
Nootropics are basically any substance that can improve your mental capacities without any negative side effects.
If you would like to know more about nootropics in general, I recommend you read my article on the subject.
Based on the reading Ive done, these are my Top 10 individual nootropics for seniors:
- B-Vitamins; facilitate energy metabolism by acting as catalysts in enzymatic reactions.;;Vitamins B6, B9, and B12 are crucial to DNA/RNA synthesis, as well as neurotransmitters and nerve tissues.
- Bacopa Monnieri prevents acetylcholine from breaking down, thereby enhancing the effects of CDP choline.; Bacopa also acts as a vasodilator and protects brain cells from free radical damage.
- CDP Choline; provides;2 important nutrients;to the brain;;Choline;and;Cytidine.
- Choline;is a precursor to acetylcholine, the first neurotransmitter ever discovered.; It improves focus, memory, learning ability, motivation, and alleviates fatigue.
- Cytidine is a precursor to uridine, which aids in the repair and maintenance of brain cell membranes.; Improves working memory and focus.
Youre free to take any combination of these solo nootropics to improve your memory and brain health.
The Best Memory Supplements For Seniors 3 Pre
There are also some pre-formulated supplements that I think are great for helping seniors stay on top of their game.
They are:
The company that makes Mind Lab Pro, Opti-Nutra, has some of the highest standards for quality Ive ever seen.
Mind Lab Pro places a lot of emphasis on protecting the brain from free radical damage, and on long term brain health.
If youd like to know more about Mind Lab Pro, feel free to read my full product review.
Another excellent option for improving your overall brain function is Awaken Gold, from Awakened Alchemy.
If youd like to know more about Awaken Gold, feel free to read my full review.
Finally, the third option I think is worth your time and money is Performance Lab Mind.
Performance Lab Mind is also made by Opti-Nutra, the same company that makes Mind Lab Pro.; They only use the best ingredients.
Thats why I recommend their products all the time.
The main advantage of using PLM is its flexibility.; Its a very basic supplement with only 4 ingredients.
It was purposely designed to be used as a base, so that people can customize their optimization plan with some individual nootropics of their choice.
You can read more about Performance Lab Mind by .; Itll take you to my full product review.
The other nice thing about Performance Lab Mind is that its easy on the pocketbook.; If you want to compare prices on these 3 top grade supplements, this is a basic breakdown.
Mind Lab Pro
Awaken Gold
Read Also: What Is The Average Lifespan Of A Person With Dementia
Why Is This Nootropic So Prominent
Alpha Brain is most likely the initial nootropic supplement that many of you ever came across. It was amongst the first brain supplements to go mainstream. Prior to firms like Onnit came onto the scene, nootropics were an underground phenomenon. But thanks to their considerable advertising efforts as well as some vital star endorsements Onnit became a substantial lifestyle brand, and Alpha Brain became one of the very best marketing nootropics on the planet.Can Nootropics Help With Dementia?
Top 5 Habits For Brain Health
This article is going to take a Top Down approach where I cover more general recommendations first, and get more specific later.
These suggestions might seem obvious to you, but theyll lay down a solid foundation for better mental clarity and brain health.
So without further ado, these are the top 5 habits for improving brain health:
Its easy to read a Top 5 list, but let me ask you something.; How many people do you think actually do these things every day?
Right.; Not many.; And thats because doing them isnt easy.
This is your chance to take charge of your mental health, and start something new.; Kind of exciting, dont you think?
In any case, lets take a look at these points in greater detail, shall we?
Also Check: What Are The Last Stages Of Vascular Dementia
Brain Aging Reduction With Nootropics
Unfortunately, Alzheimers and brain aging cannot be reversed at this time but damages can possibly be prevented. The obvious theory is that the reduction of free radicals may reduce the chances of mental decline that leads to Alzheimers.
This theory is much like the theory of reducing cancer development by reducing overall free radical levels in a lifetime. Lowering the level of oxidative free radicals in the brain is likely to reduce the chances of mental deterioration. Periodic or lifetime used of nootropic may help.
Certain nootropics have been seen to be effective antioxidants and effective at reducing free radicals. The racetam compounds have been seen to have antioxidants in higher than normal dosages. Other nootropics seem to be more effective at reducing oxidative stress.
Some of the most promising are the herbal compounds, Bacopa Monnieri and Huperzine A. Alpha GPC has also generated some interest.
Notes
- ; Bacopa;& Reference to Antioxidants
- ; Huperzine A;& Alzheimers
Creatine Is Not Just For Athletes
Here, creatine wont help you directly.; Still, its an important addition to your stack.
What creatine does is fuel ATP.
ATP boosts memory, intelligence, and makes your thought process faster.
All of these have amazing effects on the decaying / aging brain.
It not only helps to slow down the process, but in some cases, it can even have very noticeable improvements.
The recommended dosage here is 5 mg a day.
This is the perfect long-term nootropic to have in your stack.; Its easy to take and has minimum side effects, and you can pick it up at your local grocery store, or even buy it on .
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The Importance Of Nootropics
Nootropic is a term that is quickly becoming a household term. They are drugs, supplements, and other substances that can improve cognitive function, particularly executive functions, including memory, creativity, or motivation, in healthy individuals. This definition comes from Wikipedia. In nature, this product is brain food. It can also come in various forms. A lot of us take it daily in countless foods we consume. That being said, with technological development, it can also be derived into liquids.
Natural caffeine is also one of the brain foods that enhance nootropics. However, as we all know, caffeine also can have some nasty side effects. When the caffeine content is too high; it can cause the shakes, jitters, and often times a headache. Most people will experience a great high or energy boost from the caffeine and then a huge crash within a few hours later.
This is an amazing product and you will get all the advantages with none of the side effects. It starts with natural caffeine in the form of green coffee bean extract and niacin. You get all the energy boost you need, mental clarity, mood enhancement, and an overall feeling of well-being without the crash that other energy drinks give you. So with;just a snap of a small packet, you can slip it under your tongue for about 15 seconds and swallow.
Brain Aging And Neurological Decline
Many areas of neurological study are still a mystery. This leaves a big puzzle piece in the causes of certain neurological diseases. Neurological diseases and overall mental decline are believed to be caused primarily by brain aging due to oxidative stress. It is also believed that certain toxins and conditions like heavy metals can speed up brain aging.
So what exactly is brain aging? Brain aging is believed to be caused by oxidative stress. The premise for this theory states that free radicals are produced by the mitochondria due to oxygen being catalyzed within the cells. Free radicals produced in this cellular process have cumulative effects.
They damage the mitochondria where they are produced which leads to further dysfunction by creating less efficient mitochondria. Excessive free radicals in the brain will bind to cells and cause damage to them. It is believed that certain neurotoxic chemicals and heavy metals can enhance this effect and speed up brain aging.
Recommended Reading: When A Loved One Has Dementia
Can Prevagen Help With Dementia
So can Prevagen really help with memory loss caused by conditions such as dementia or Alzheimers?
Of course it cant!
As I explained above, Prevagens only active ingredient has never been found to improve memory function by indpendent clinical trial.
The FTC is actually suing Quincy Bioscience over their claims that Prevagen can improve memory; according to the FTC lawsuit, these claims are misleading as the companys own trials didnt find that trend. Quincy Bioscience are misrepresenting the data!
Of course, Quincy Bioscience never claims that Prevagn can treat dementia, Alzheimers or any other serious clinical condition.
However, the company does clearly try to position their product to appear like a pharmaceutical drug. They say it is pharmacist recommended, and that it can treat mild cognitive impairment, itself a clinically diagnosable condition.
I need to be clear here that no nootropics can treat dementia. The pharmaceutical industry is pouring billions of dollars into finding a viable treatment for memory loss, be it caused by old age, dementia or Alzheimers Disease. Their tiop minds are working hard on the problem and theyve not cracked it yet.
If a supplement company comes along and tells you they have th ecure for $30 a bottle, theyre lying!
In summary: Does Prevagen work for dementia?
Alzheimers Dementia And Brain Aging
We have many nootropic supplement options that positively affect the various pathways involved in abnormal brain aging and neurodegenerative disease.
The big drug companies are also searching for disease-specific approaches to combat neurodegenerative diseases. In the case of Alzheimers for example, theyre looking for drugs that inhibit – and -secretases that reduce A production.
Dementia is a huge problem and growing every day. Its now the 6th leading cause of death in the USA. You should be particularly concerned if you have a family member dealing with dementia or Alzheimers. Because certain genetic abnormalities put you at a higher risk for these neurodegenerative diseases.
But it seems the executives of these big pharmaceuticals arent frequent visitors to Nootropics Expert. Because weve found several nootropic supplements that studies have shown specifically help fight the types of abnormalities that lead to dementia, Alzheimers, Parkinsons and Huntingtons disease.
The key to neurodegenerative prevention with any of the following nootropics is to add them to your stack a couple of decades before symptoms of any of these diseases would normally show up.
Recommended nootropic dosage for Huperzine-A is 200 mcg per day.
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