In 2017, The Lancet published a study that found nearly 3% of all Alzheimer’s cases may be caused by a lack of exercise. Since then, there is growing research identifying the protective effect of physical activity against aging-associated dementia. Some evidence also suggests exercise can increase the levels of neuroprotective growth factors, boost the generation… Read more »
A study conducted in 2019 by the Global Council on Brain Health (GCBH), an AARP-sponsored independent collaborative of experts in their fields, concluded that keeping heart and blood vessels healthy reduces the risk of cognitive decline and dementia. The study showed that risks associated with cardiovascular disease like high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol… Read more »
Brain adaptation is key to our survival. Our unconscious mind processes millions of data bits per second, and our ability to “think about our thinking” is one of the features that makes humans unique among mammals. Much of the time our brain adaptation is beneficial, but in many cases preserving our physical existence comes at… Read more »
Wellbeing is defined as the state of being comfortable, healthy or happy. In past Desert Health articles, I have discussed aspects of lifestyle to achieve brain health for quality of life; now I’d like to dive a bit deeper into brain chemistry and discuss the importance of dopamine. Dopamine is one of the brain’s neurotransmitters,… Read more »
This is the final pillar of a six-part series on brain health from Deborah Schrameck, NC, PT, of the Eisenhower Wellness Institute. For previous articles click here. My final pillar on brain health is “stimulation,” more commonly known as “use it or lose it.” In the Jan/Feb 2011 issue of Desert Health, the article Alzheimer’s… Read more »
This is the fifth of a six-part series on brain health from Deborah Schrameck, NC, PT, of the Eisenhower Wellness Institute. Preceding articles may be found here. In the last few years of my grandmother’s life she complained that food “just didn’t taste good” and that she really wasn’t hungry. This is a common complaint… Read more »
This is the fourth of a six-part series on brain health from Deborah Schrameck, NC, PT, of the Eisenhower Wellness Institute. Preceding articles may be found here. Do you try to get a full night of sleep, but still get up in the morning feeling exhausted? Do you find your energy drags in the afternoon… Read more »
This is the third of a six-part series on brain health from Deborah Schrameck, NC, PT, of the Eisenhower Wellness Institute. Additional articles can be found here. Do you have people you gravitate towards or a place you go when you have had a stressful day? Nan was always that person and place for me.… Read more »
This is the second of a six-part series on brain health from Deborah Schrameck, NC, PT, of the Eisenhower Wellness Institute. Additional articles can be found here. Nan, my grandmother, understood what worked to keep her brain young and healthy. She never had a driver’s license and she made sure she walked, gardened and even danced… Read more »
Last month, brain health was top of mind at the annual Institute for Functional Medicine conference. It was discussed that, while it has been a generally accepted scientific fact that the human brain is incapable of growing new brain cells, we now know that brain cells do continue to grow throughout one’s lifetime with the… Read more »
Pillar One: Social Interactions Have you watched, or are you caring for, someone you love suffering from declining brain function, dementia or Alzheimer’s disease? Watching my grandmother, better known to all as “Nan,” decline to the point where she didn’t recognize me was heartbreaking and motivating. Loss of our brain health and function is a… Read more »
Pharmacological intervention has traditionally been the first-line treatment for individuals with neurocognitive disorders, but the benefits of medications currently on the market are generally minimal and/or temporary. In recent years, however, numerous scientific studies have shown that various types of behavioral and cognitive interventions may slow the progression of degenerative neurocognitive disorders. For one, the… Read more »
You’ve probably heard the buzz – researchers and health professionals everywhere sounding off on the potential health risks associated with consuming industrial seed oils, such as soybean, canola, corn, sunflower and safflower oils. These oils, once heralded as heart-healthy alternatives to saturated fats, are now being scrutinized for their destructive effects on our brains, guts,… Read more »
This is a groundbreaking book that unifies mental health problems with physical health problems. Harvard psychiatrist Christopher Palmer presents a new way of thinking about mental health conditions as metabolic diseases rather than behavioral or brain chemistry disorders. His arguments are compelling, backed by solid science and put mental health in line with the most… Read more »
Summer is in the rear-view mirror and fall is at our doorstep. Before transitioning to the blossoming season, it is helpful to reminisce upon summer and reflect upon our experiences. Stepping forward with wisdom often involves looking back as to where we’ve been and the lessons we’ve gleaned. In a personal reflection, I revisited memories… Read more »
The launch of the Coachella Health Festival is set for Saturday, November 18 at the dynamic Showroom at Spotlight 29 Casino in Coachella. The lucky first 500 attendees who register online will receive, not only a free general admission ticket, but also complimentary valet parking courtesy of the Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians. Whether… Read more »
Desert Health, in partnership with Restore Hyper Wellness, proudly presents our 2023 Living Well Speaker Series. The monthly presentations showcase esteemed valley doctors and health care professionals starting in July and running through December. The complimentary educational program is open to everyone interested in learning about vitality and proactive well-being. Guest speakers include integrative doctor… Read more »
Do you remember last holiday season? Did you get to January and swear that you were going to do things differently next year? Well, here we are… It has been a bumpy road over the last couple of years, and this may be the year that you do a little bit more…or after last year,… Read more »
In association with CSUSB Palm Desert, Desert Health is proud to present an Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) speaker series entitled Your Best Health Now. This six-week program is open to everyone and features leading health care doctors and professionals from our desert communities. The educational program explores the variety of natural and allopathic health… Read more »
The heyday of clinicians primarily acting as disease specialists is rapidly ending. For too long, health care providers have treated patients reactively, versus proactively. Reactive treatment results from several causes including payor reimbursement schemes, societal expectations, limited resources, ineffectual treatments and inadequate diagnostics1. Government and private payors have routinely denied or delayed coverage of diagnostic… Read more »