The BrainReady Brain Health Blog | BrainReady | BrainReady.com

Sharpen your listening skills

Thu, 27 Aug 2015 14:25:43 +1000

Are you listening……?

Like everyone else, the Brainready team often gets accused of not listening. It’s not that we don’t try; we just have so many thoughts running through our head and can’t focus on everything.

So how can we all avoid distractions, get rid of the brain fog and stop getting lost in our own thoughts?

Attentive listening is not only a skill, but also a process that can actually help focus your thoughts and stop your mind wandering.

…

Is Pizza Seasoning the New Superfood?

Sat, 15 Aug 2015 15:56:38 +1000

Is Pizza Seasoning the New Superfood?

Just when you thought there couldn’t be any further breakthrough news about the common herbs and spices often used in cooking, something like this comes out of nowhere.

How about an herb that has 42 times more antioxidant activity than apples, 30 times more than potatoes, 12 times more than oranges
and 4 times more than blueberries?

Surely this must be some rare, exotic herb found only in the impassable…

Yerba Mate vs. Coffee: Which is Healthier?

Mon, 17 Nov 2014 16:30:28 +1100

At BrainReady, we've covered the brain health and longevity-related benefits of just about every natural drink one could think of; from Matcha green tea to cocoa to the differences between espresso and regular coffee, the list of health-fueling natural choices can be almost overwhelming if you're trying to pick the right one for you.

But we'd be remiss if we didn't add Yerba Mate (pronounced "yair-ba mah-tay") to the list, particularly with so…

Cinnamon - the new brain & health food?

Thu, 23 Oct 2014 14:00:27 +1100

Actually, brain benefits are just the tip of the iceberg with this wonderful-tasting super spice.

But let's start there: did you know that a recent research study presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Chemoreception Services in Sarasota, FL, found that merely smelling cinnamon or chewing cinnamon-flavored gum actually enhanced multiple areas of brain processing and function; everything from memory to visual-motor speed to…

BrainReady Best Brain Supplements, Part 2: PS

Thu, 29 Nov 2012 13:57:04 +1100

The BrainReady Guide to the Best Brain Supplements, Part 2: PS

Our second entry in the BrainReady Best Brain Supplements series (be sure to see our first post on vinpocetine) is Phosphatidylserine, the hard-to-pronounce-and-spell natural supplement more commonly referred to as 'PS'.

Phosphatidylserine is a naturally occurring molecule known as a phospholipid, and has been shown to be important for the integrity and maintenance of the brain cell…

Prepare for the REAL Matcha Revolution...

Tue, 09 Oct 2012 07:00:27 +1100

We've all heard the hype about green tea being good for us, which also helps explain the unprecedented recent explosion of green tea drinks, foods, supplements, even deserts.

But don't be fooled by clever back-of-bottle marketing such as, "Now with EGCG!" or the overused, "Contains green tea antioxidants!"....which makes it sounds like literally anything containing a microscopic amount of low-grade green tea extract is going to give you the kind…

Will You Need to Work at Age 86?

Wed, 29 Feb 2012 18:54:01 +1100

Will you be working at age 86? Probably. What about 94? 102?

Ah, the mid-life crisis.

Many of us have experienced them, particularly those in the rapidly expanding baby-boomer age range, yet even those in their late 30's and early 40's are increasingly showing the signs. From "what should I do with the rest of my life?" musings all the way to terrifying realizations that you're nowhere near on track for a retirement, ever, the importance of…

Rooibos for Brain, Body and More?

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 06:29:18 +1100

Before you think, "wait...yet ANOTHER tea I should be drinking?", stay with us -- this one is truly different.

And happens to be caffeine-free, unlike the other teas we've been discussing here on the BrainReady Health Blog. Yes, this is one you can drink anytime, including right before bed as a calming, settling way to wind down your day while fueling your brain and body with a truly mind-blowing array of nutritional elements that surprisingly…

Less Coffee, More Espresso?

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 12:02:24 +1100

Should you skip the coffee, and "make it a double" instead?

By now you've undoubtedly heard that most of the scientific community has come

around on coffee: yes, coffee has been shown to have significant beneficial health

effects when consumed in moderation, which means two to three servings a

day for most people (obviously anyone with caffeine sensitivities or any contraindications should consult their doctor before consuming).

From lowering…

Move Over, Brown Rice - Go Wild!

Wed, 28 Dec 2011 12:59:57 +1100

You may already know that choosing brown rice over white rice is among the possible brain-healthy, body-friendly dietary choices you can make to help reduce your overall intake of blood sugar-raising, high simple carbohydrate foods -- the foods (and drinks) which provide little nutrition while promoting the sugar-high rollercoaster process causing everything from obesity, fatigue, emotional crashes, even increasing risk of dementia.

While white…

No More Milk In Your Tea? Here's why...

Wed, 09 Feb 2011 12:44:30 +1100

With all of the press coverage about the wonderful health benefits of tea in all its myriad forms, including the many discussions regarding the specific brain health & anti-aging benefits that we've covered here at BrainReady, more and more people around the world are adding some form of tea into their daily diet.

From black teas to green teas to Matcha green tea powder Ooolong to white teas and the many in between, there's been something of a…

Hemp – The Perfect Brain Health Food?

Sat, 17 Apr 2010 17:20:31 +1000

Few natural food sources have withered as much confusion, controversy and misinformation (and lack of information) as hemp – which is unfortunate, and even ironic, given that it is one of the world’s most perfect foods.

Actually, it goes far beyond food, as this super-plant has also been used for centuries as a wonderful source of fibers for clothing and accessories, soaps and oils, and much more. It's even rumored to be the world's "oldest…

B Vitamins, Bioavailability, and Your Brain

Sat, 27 Mar 2010 16:41:58 +1100

(Before reading the following article, we'd like to introduce Dr. Carl Hansen, Jr., M.D., and his wonderful example: a doctor with a deep passion for and knowledge of brain health, how vitamins and nutrients play a truly vital role in keeping one's brain healthy and even reversing decline, and frustration about the fact that most other supplement products on the market used either cheap versions of key nutrients in forms that our bodies can't…

Ginkgo is Back – Memory, Alzheimer’s & more?

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 11:39:07 +1100

Of all the ‘brain herbs” out there, Ginkgo Biloba has experienced more of a rollercoaster in popularity than any other.

From an initial surge of excitement as the brain-enhancing supplement of choice, followed by over-saturation of available products on the shelves, to being eclipsed by other natural brain tonics (and back and forth again more than once since then), this venerable ancient Chinese herb may have good reason to be back in favor…

7 Easy Ways to Get Your Brain Back Into Shape in '08

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 12:51:28 +1100

Whether it's those earnest New Year's resolutions or an upcoming feared birthday that will put you into that next age bracket, many people find themselves reaching the, "Okay, that's it...now I really need to start doing X, stop doing Y, and exercise Z times per week and eat more vegetables in 2008!".

These personal inflection points are often, if not always, focused on improving one's physical body and health -- the things that people see when…

Salmon and your brain: before you buy salmon again...

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:00:27 +1100

We'll cut right to the chase: wild salmon is one of the world's healthiest foods for your brain, your body, your skin, your everything.

But before you run out to the grocery store and grab another salmon fillet or packet of smoked salmon, learn the interesting and rather shocking truth that not all salmon is created equally. And this matters in a big way, because it's your brain, body and health that will know the difference.

But first, in…

Curry On Your Mind...

Mon, 20 Jul 2009 16:46:37 +1000

We wrote about the health benefits of turmeric in our earlier BrainReady Blog piece, "The Ultimate Anti-Aging Spice?", and now there's even more reason to choose that Indian restaurant instead of the steak house.

One of the compounds in turmeric (the yellow spice that gives Indian curry its yellow color), "may help stimulate immune system cells that gobble up the brain-clogging proteins that mark Alzheimer's disease", according to exciting new…

Do Different - for Mental Health?

Sun, 12 Apr 2009 15:50:29 +1000

How many of us find ourselves sticking to our daily and weekly routines: going through the same basic actions, tasks, places and times most days of the week?

Or are those routines more like ruts, albeit comfortable and familiar ones? Ah, but routines are GOOD we think: they’re derived out of long-learned efficiencies, what we like and don’t like, what seems to work best and not work best. Why mess around and take a risk on doing things…

Aromatherapy: Real or Bunk?

Sat, 06 Dec 2008 12:52:40 +1100

You've seen it on everything from shampoo bottles to skin lotions, teas and throat lozenges, candles, salons and spas, and now even gum: Aromatherapy, a term which has often been associated with helping to treat and heal a variety of human ailments, from mild to severe -- yet for most people conjures vague notions of relaxing in nice-smelling bathtub with candles.

But Aromatherapy is actually a very serious area of practice, a fusion of holistic…

Mind Mapping: Preparing to be Brain-Ready

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 12:22:53 +1100

Mind Mapping: Preparing to be Brain-Ready...

By BrainReady.com special guest contributor Dr. Stephen Lundin, Ph.D

Readers of BrainReady.com are well aware of the benefits of a brain-healthy lifestyle. And many of you, like me, are particularly interested in making sure your memory functions as well as it can, now and as you get older. As you read this article, try to adopt a different perspective on your memory: rather than focusing on "getting…

The Best Natural Brain Supplements, Part 1: Memory Loss? Vinpocetine can help...

Thu, 30 Oct 2008 07:00:27 +1100

The BrainReady Guide to the Best Brain Supplements, Part 1: Memory Loss? Vinpocetine can help...

In this special BrainReady Blog series, you'll learn about some of the best, most widely-studied natural supplements that have been shown to provide very real brain-boosting benefits in such areas as memory (short and long-term), sharpness, speed, mood, and overall cognitive ability.

In Part 1, we'll focus on memory loss and how the natural …

French Madiran Wine Best for Longer Life?

Sun, 31 Aug 2008 10:23:52 +1000

Should you dump that glass of Pinot and switch to French Madiran wine?

By now you've probably heard the news that moderate consumption of red wine has been shown across numerous studies to provide a variety of health benefits, with much of the recent focus on one particular component present in red wine, Resveratrol.

But unfortunately, despite the excitement around the findings about Resveratrol (as we've covered in our past BrainReady.com Blog…

Buddhism and Your Brain Health?

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 08:51:52 +1000

When Buddhism, neuroscience and brain training collide, wonderful things can happen...to you?

The ongoing march of scientific progress is commonly viewed as separate, or at least distinct, from such areas as philosophy and religion, particularly in the West. And for many, trying to apply new learning or research findings to our everyday, practical busy lives is difficult at best; we hear a nugget there, we read a snippet there, but seldom do we…

Take Up Video Games, To Keep Your Brain Healthy?

Mon, 17 Mar 2008 12:18:49 +1100

When many of us hear the word, "video games", instant visions of spikey-haired, pizza-chomping, pierced teenagers with faces glowing from large screens may be among the first thoughts to arise.

Or perhaps more innocent memories of PacMac, Pong, Space Invaders or Asteroids set in dark noisy rooms at the local shopping mall or corner pizza restaurant. Whatever your reaction, the popular notion for decades (yes, video games have been around that…

Sage Advice

Sat, 27 Oct 2007 07:00:27 +1000

Pardon the bad pun.

But given the overwhelming reaction to our feature on Cinammon (thanks for the feedback), with many of you asking about other brain-enhancing herbs, here's another one that you should know about that's even more interesting than cinammon in the brain department:

Sage.

Chinese medicine has relied on sage to treat memory and brain-related problems for over 1,000 years, and now several recent scientific studies are finding…

Eat Your Chocolate...and Walnuts? (updated)

Sat, 14 Jul 2007 13:00:27 +1000

Ah, chocolate. For many of us, a mere glance at the picture on your left, or the faint whiff of this infamous "guilty pleasure" seems to conjure feelings of heady indulgence, pleasure, decadence. And most still assume that the word chocolate equals "getting fat", "bad for you", "only have it once in a while", "no way, I'm on a diet!" and so on. With all of the misinformation, myths and confusion out there, it's not surprising that most people…

More Reason To Exercise Your Brain!

Fri, 29 Jun 2007 10:41:44 +1000

Yes, now there's even more reason to take brain exercise seriously: a new widely-acclaimed study by Rush University Medical Center involving over 700 Americans showed that mental stimulation -- including brain exercises, going to the museum or theater, reading and other mentally stimulating activities -- helps reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease.

The study participants averaged 80 years of age at the start of the study, and underwent yearly…

Music For Your Brain Health?

Wed, 13 Jun 2007 09:14:12 +1000

One of the most frequent questions that people have been emailing us about here at BrainReady recently is, "What about music as brain health booster?".

With all of the focus on foods, drinks, dietary changes and exercise that we've (rightly) covered here given the significant impact that these things can have on one's brain health and brainpower, it's easy to overlook the larger topic of music (or the meta-topic of sound in general) as applied…

Cut Diabetes Risk to Prevent Alzheimer’s?

Tue, 22 May 2007 17:01:55 +1000

Cut Diabetes Risk to Prevent Alzheimer's? (by BrainReady special guest contributor Dr. Susan Parsons, MD)

In my last article for BrainReady ("Avoid the Dreaded 'D'"), I discussed the nature of both Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia. I explained the disabling symptoms, the underlying pathology, and some of the risk factors associated with these diseases.

The bad news about Alzheimer’s disease? Genetics and age increase your risk. Obviously you…

Is Your Brain Plastic?

Fri, 11 May 2007 16:17:41 +1000

Actually, plastic is far too simple of a substance to serve as a metaphor for what your brain is really like -- the truth is far more exotic, practically bordering on science fiction. We're talking about brain plasticity, more formally known in science circles as neuroplasticity, and it's perhaps the single most exciting area of brain-related research in recent years (you've probably seen that word in the press or heard it on the news).

So what…

Avoid The Dreaded 'D'

Fri, 27 Apr 2007 05:48:36 +1000

Avoid The Dreaded D - Dementia (by BrainReady special guest contributor Dr. Susan Parsons, MD)

Most of us fear the loss of brain function as we get older. In fact, that may be why you are here at BrainReady. Maybe Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia have affected your parents, grandparents, or other loved ones.

Is there anything you can do to prevent or forestall this malady? I’m happy to report: Yes, there are things you can do…

Walk Your Brain to Health?

Fri, 20 Apr 2007 17:03:38 +1000

Wait a minute...WALKING?!

It's no secret that physical exercise is good for your body: cardiovascular health, muscle tone, flexibility, the works.

But as you've probably recently heard, it's also good for keeping your brain healthy, which is of course dandy news if you're already a runner, biker, swimmer or gym rat -- but what about regular people? What about those who just can't take the time, physical demands, or (often annoying, crowded) gym…

The Top 5 Brain Health Foods

Mon, 02 Apr 2007 15:31:14 +1000

The BrainReady Top 5 Brain Health Foods

Many of you have asked us for a simple list of the very best, proven natural foods & drinks for optimum brain (and body) health.

Ah, everyone loves lists these days, it seems. So while there are numerous natural foods, drinks, herbs and supplemental products that possess brain & body-enhancing properties, we've done the research for you and created a list of five all-natural, widely-available foods that we…

Folate - Take 5 Years off your Brain Age?

Sun, 25 Mar 2007 17:17:41 +1000

That sounds almost too good to be true: a food or supplement that can take 5 years off your brain's age?

That's right, folic acid isn't just for pregnant mothers anymore. A landmark research study at the University of Wageningen, Netherlands and published in The Lancet, showed that high-dose folic acid supplements take over a long period slows the effects of aging on the brain, and "tests showed performance on memory and speed of thinking tasks…

Nine Lives of Innovation

Wed, 14 Mar 2007 17:29:31 +1100

CATS: The Nine Lives of Innovation

By Dr. Stephen C. Lundin, Ph.D (BrainReady Special Guest contributor)

I am presently on a four-week speaking tour in Australia and New Zealand and have been pondering how to put your amazing brain to work on something that has kept the world clothed, fed, housed and entertained since the time we first stood upright. That would of course be innovation. And would you believe your brain has a love-hate…

Fish Oil Supplements, or Not?

Mon, 12 Mar 2007 15:35:41 +1100

By now you've surely heard about the benefits of "essential fatty acids" (EFA's) -- those good-for-you fats rich in Omega-3/EPA/DHA -- the brain-friendly, heart-friendly, longevity-friendly fatty acids found primarily in cold-water fish such as wild salmon, mackerel and sardines, as well as in walnuts, Acai berries , flax seeds, olive oil, and some other foods.

Those of you who've read our BrainReady Blog feature on wild salmon versus farm-raised…

Acai - For Real?

Mon, 05 Mar 2007 12:10:33 +1100

Ah, Acai. You've probably seen that word, proudly listed on many of the newer health-focused juices available, or perhaps appearing in pill form at health food and vitamin stores. Yet how many of us actually know what Acai really is, where it comes from, what form is best to take, and most importantly WHY we should even consider taking it in the first place?

And that's a good thing to ask such questions, as just because a product may say it has…

Brain Tips for Busy People (Pt.2)

Mon, 26 Feb 2007 12:02:07 +1100

We're back with more tips for you to help squeeze some active brain exercises into your already busy daily routine. If you haven't read Part 1 of our 'Brain Tips for Busy People' series, be sure to give it a quick read... as you'll learn about how to turn one of the most mundane, routine things you probably do everyday into an incredibly productive anti-aging opportunity (among other tips).

If you recall from Part 1, we referenced some free…

Brain Tips for Busy People (Pt.1)

Thu, 22 Feb 2007 15:08:14 +1100

One of the appeals of brain-boosting foods & supplements is that we can usually manage to squeeze them into our already-busy lives: we already need to eat, we take a multivitamin, we make time for these things. So it's not a stretch to add more foods and supplements that have added benefits.

But when it comes to making brain exercises a routine, daily activity, it can be hard to find the time to fit it in, or even to remember to do it (ah, the…

Memorize 22,514 Numbers?

Thu, 15 Feb 2007 15:39:30 +1100

By Dr. Stephen Lundin, Ph.D

For my third BrainReady guest Blog contribution, I'd like to follow up on the topic of Association that we discussed in my last piece, expanding to the fascinating area of Synesthesia.

Many of you hopefully gasped in awe if you saw the recent story on the television show 60 Minutes, when Daniel Tammet recited the first 22,514 digits of pi in a five-hour demonstration of his memory capabilities. No, he made no…

The Truth About Sleep and Your Brain

Sun, 04 Feb 2007 09:55:26 +1100

Let's face it: a good night's sleep seems to be harder and harder to come by these days.

With "always-on" connections and media such as mobile phones, email, text messages, on-demand TV, new music/shows/magazines/updates, and obsessive web site checking -- there are more elements constantly begging for our attention than at any time in history.

And then there's the explosion of caffeinated beverage consumption, some of which have dietary health…

The Ultimate Anti-Aging Spice?

Mon, 29 Jan 2007 09:54:42 +1100

Walk in to any health food shop or even grocery store these days and you'll bottles upon bottles of herbal pills, ranging from the familiar-sounding ones all the way to the exotic and bizarre.

Which ones are good, which ones do I need to take, should I be taking ALL of these, or do I need any at all?

While we won't get into the complex and highly debatable area of herbal medicine in this article, there is one very popular and time-honored…

The #1 Brain Tip: Association

Thu, 25 Jan 2007 06:49:50 +1100

By Dr. Stephen Lundin, Ph.D

For my second BrainReady guest Blog contribution, I'd like to talk about something that is central to understanding how your brain works: Association.

If you were allowed to know only one thing about your brain, my vote would be for the following central concept: Your brain functions according to the laws of association, not the laws of linearity.

You don’t remember things based on the order they were learned, your…

A User's Manual for your Brain

Wed, 10 Jan 2007 17:34:15 +1100

BrainReady is thrilled to feature our first special guest Blog contributor, Dr. Stephen C. Lundin, Ph.D, who many of you may already be familiar with (and a fan of) from the hit book series "FISH!" (over 6 million sold worldwide), the new "Top Performer: A Bold Approach to Sales and Service", and his numerous public speaking appearances around the globe over the last decade.

We are honored that "Dr. Tuna", as he is sometimes affectionately…

The Hilarious Wonder Drug

Sun, 07 Jan 2007 08:00:27 +1100

Hypothetically: how much would you pay for something that can help protect your nervous system, reduce chronic stress on your body, boost your immune system, keep your brain active and sharp, even enhance your lifespan?

Fortunately, this wonder drug is free.

Sound like a joke? Well laugh all you want, because that's what we're talking about here: the power of laughter.

Yes, laughing. You may have heard that laughing is good for you, or perhaps…

Stay blue all winter long?

Mon, 11 Dec 2006 08:00:27 +1100

Some winter blues are good.

As we reported in our earlier Blog feature regarding the wonderful brain health and anti-aging properties of blueberries, we know it's a good thing to get a daily dose of this blue-colored antioxidant superfood. But many of us also know that it can be very hard (and expensive!) to find blueberries off-season such as during the winter months, resulting in many simply stopping their intake until blueberries start…

Try this and amaze yourself (and friends)!

Mon, 04 Dec 2006 10:00:27 +1100

"Hey, you really have to try this, it's mind-blowing!"

Many of us have received those "wow, this is amazing!" email forwards from friends and relatives...you know, those brain-teasing images, puzzles, etc. that you can't help but want to pass along yourself.

Well, we're equally guilty: having just received this one (below) at BrainReady, we had to share, particularly the second part which illustrates just how amazing, complex and quickly…

Easiest Way to Boost Mental Performance?

Mon, 27 Nov 2006 10:00:27 +1100

Do you ever find yourself, perhaps in the middle of the day or before lunch, feeling just a little bit...off?

Just feeling sort of spacey...and slow...mentally?

Do you find yourself making comments such as, "my brain isn't working today" or "I can't believe I don't remember the name of..." or "wait, so uh...what was I just talking about again" and then laughing with embarrassment mixed with worry?

With so much great new information regarding…

Red Wine, but Which Kind?

Sat, 11 Nov 2006 05:00:27 +1100

First, some common-sense, cautionary advice:

if you don't already drink alcohol, have any adverse reactions to alcohol or wine, are an alcoholic (recovering or current), take any medications with alcohol contraindications, are pregnant or frankly have ANY problems with moderate alcohol consumption or wine whatsoever:

Don't use this article as an excuse to start. Or re-start.

For many people, drinking alcohol is like playing with fire; it's…

2 + 5 = more brainpower, less mental decline

Mon, 30 Oct 2006 16:00:27 +1100

Why doing even simple math calculations quickly can actually turn back the clock on mental decline, help ward off mental diseases such as Alzheimer's and Dementia, and boost your overall brainpower.

Sounds rather far-fetched, doesn't it? You, an adult, doing simple elementary school math equations in your head such as 2+5, 9-3, and so

on, trying to whip multiple areas of your brain into shape and even ward off mental decline and diseases?!

…

Brain foods and more...

Tue, 03 Oct 2006 16:10:27 +1000

The Power of Blue, and You

You’ve probably heard that blueberries are good for you. But there's more to that purplish-blue color than meets the eye, particularly where you brain is concerned. And we're not just talking high antioxidant levels!

Would you believe that eating this tasty, low-glycemic superfood every day was found by the USDA and Tufts University to slow and even REVERSE age-related brain decline, as well as improve short-term…