Maintaining a Healthy Brain

(Please read our disclaimer)
Scientists have recently mapped the brain and found 97 previously unknown regions. New knowledge will surely lead to more brain-healthy strategies. Meanwhile we do have researched-based information explaining some of the things that affect our brain health.
Insulin Resistance

A link has been found between insulin resistance, memory decline and Alzheimer's disease. Elevated blood sugar levels and insulin resistance are not only a risk for diabetes but also contribute to memory decline.

So strong is the connection with insulin resistance that some scientists are calling Alzheimer's, Type 3 diabetes.
Brain Inflammation

Researchers found a brain-inflammation marker that may be used to measure and identify the stages of Alzheimer's disease.

Resveratrol and Inflammation

The brain has a barrier that protects against harmful molecules. Unfortunately, the brain barrier can become more permeable, or leaky. A very recent study found that resveratrol which is found in grapes and dark chocolate may repair a leaky blood-brain barrier. Resveratrol was also found to reduce brain inflammation.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids

CNN reports that people who do not consume enough omega-3 fatty acids have smaller brains and have brains that are aging at a faster rate.
Probiotics

Another important brain-nutrient is found in fermented foods. Science Daily explains that probiotics or good bacteria in our digestive tract can also affect brain function.
Phosphatidylserine

Better known as PS, it is an important natural component found in all cells, and more so in the brain. Scientists believe that as the brain ages PS levels decrease, and absorption of PS from foods is greatly diminished. PS helps move nutrients into cells, and pumps waste products out of cells, and can rejuvenate the cell membranes in the brain.

Supplementing with phosphatidylserine may improve memory in older persons, and help fight Parkinson's disease and other degenerative diseases of the brain.
ProvexCV

Patented ProvexCV is made with only fresh grapes (not leftover grapes used after wine making) and premium grape seeds. It also contains resveratrol at research-recommended levels, quercetin green tea extract, and bromelain.

The Melaleuca Wellness Guide tells us Unforgettables help support brain health with antioxidants (blueberries and vitamin E), omega-3s with DHA and EPA, soy phosphatidylserine and ginkgo biloba. The Melaleuca Wellness Guide recommends Unforgettables for Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, depression and longevity.

Vitality Coldwater Omega-3 and Vitality Omega-3 Creme Delight include essential fatty acids that must be supplied by the diet.

Florify is a probiotic that contains 10 billion colony units from 4 different Lactobacillus strains and 3 different Bifidobacterium strains. Probiotics help crowd out bad bacteria.
Essential Oils for Alzheimer's and Dementia

Our publication Practical Guide to Essential Oils with References and Traditional Uses notes that significant improvement was seen in cognitive function by using aromatherapy with rosemary and lemon essential oils in the morning, and lavender and orange essential oils in the evening.

Easy to follow instructions on how to use these oils and how to make a dilution can be found in this booklet.
Lifestyle Changes

The positive things we do to protect and maintain heart health also help maintain brain health. Maintaining a healthy body weight is especially important. A PubMed study found that middle age persons with excessive visceral body fat have smaller brains. Researchers also found that persons who were the most physically active had less brain shrinkage.

~ Richard M Barry

Maintaining a Healthy Brain Success Stories

I love my brain! I strategize a lot. I'm an environmental and humanitarian activist and my brain is my biggest asset! Having been a Melaleuca customer for over 20 years, my favorite products are still the ones for cleaning. SoluGuard, Tub n Tile, and MelaMagic to name a few. Seriously, the cleaning products keep my brain going at the top. For one thing... I don't have to worry or feel guilty about using poisony toxic stuff! That keeps my endorfins going. Yay! And... I do take my Essential Pack, Replenix, and NutraView! Shampooing my hair with a great non-toxic wonderful smelling Melaleuca Original Shampoo, after all, the top of my head IS close to my brain. So there you have it! Every product is good for my brain!

~ Beth

I began using Melaleuca's Wellness Products in 2004. I noticed healthy differences right away, including weight loss and greatly improved sleep patterns. I switched over 100% to every product I could buy from Melaleuca that I had previously purchased from a retail store, and our entire household reaped the benefits! We experienced fewer colds, better digestion, clearer thinking, and overall improved quality of life...all this in the first 6 months.

To keep my brain sharp and flexible today at 62, I work online brain puzzler games, read about new challenges and experiments in the world of science and health, walk every day, eat a healthy diet including 1-2 juiced meals a day (lots of greens!), and I still read the English dictionary to expand my understanding of words, while learning those new words in another language. I make it my mission to help someone else smile every day!

The greatest aid to my healthy brain is Melaleuca products - combining the best of nature and the best of science to bring me wholesome, non-toxic products for inside and out. Thank you, Melaleuca!

~ Sandee

I find that the Vitality packs and Coldwater Omega-3 keep our entire family's brains in check. I notice a huge difference in myself and my family. They keep us thinking more clearly and keep cranky attitudes at bay. We find ourselves more alert and ready to keep going into the evening hours. Helping with homework and tackling work and emails late into the evenings has become more effortless and accepting. If we forget to take our vitamins and fish oil, I notice afternoon sluggishness and tired thinking by mid-afternoon. Math problems and term paper writing take longer without our better brain health. It took us a few months to discover how effective the vitamins were and to get on a regular regiment in taking them. I rarely forget now as I know how wonderful I feel each day when I take them. Thank you Melaleuca for developing such a wonderful multivitamin and omega-3 fish oil.

~ Paula

Healthy Brain Story - My dad suffered a severe brain injury when he was 19. He crushed part of his skull and was paralyzed on one side of his body for about a year, but he recovered. Bad brain injuries greatly increase the chance of dementia, and he did get Alzheimer's in his late 80's. He took brain supplements like ginkgo biloba, omega-3s from fish, and ate lots of nuts. I think the supplements let him enjoy a healthier life longer than if he had not taken them for his brain. I read that taking PS, ginkgo biloba, omega-3s and antioxidants help protect the brain, and Unforgettables has them. I think brain health is something we have to practice way before we get old.

~ Anna