Education
Most people in the scientific community now accept that the brain continues to repair itself and create new brain cells throughout life. The birth of new neurons in the brain is referred to as neurogenesis. Nerve growth factor (NGF) is a group of small protein-like molecules called neurotrophins that are responsible for neurogenesis or the development of new neurons and for the health and maintenance of mature ones.
You’ve probably heard the term “nootropic” talked about a lot recently. Like Nerve Growth Factor (NGF), it’s a trendy word right now. But what does it mean? According to the dictionary, a nootropic is a substance that enhances cognition and memory and facilitates learning. Slang dictionaries erroneously call them “smart drugs.”
According to a new study in the NeuroImage scientific journal, exercise can freshen and renovate the white matter in our brains, potentially improving our ability to think and remember as we age. White matter, which connects and supports the cells in our brains, changes for the better as we become more physically active.
The concept of a “healthy brain” is fairly new, but one that is growing in importance. Here at Procera, we believe that the brain can be positively impacted by dietary choices, brain-specific supplementation, and lifestyle habits. Once it was thought that it was only important to look after the developing brain (birth until the early 20s).
Your health is one of the most valuable things you have — if not the most important.
This time of year, cold and flu season seems to run rampant with the shifts in weather and cooler temperatures. As people are often looking for additional ways to stay healthy and strong, we've compiled 5 simple and common-sense things you can do to keep your immune system strong:
What is your go-to method for stress relief? Do you take a walk? Listen to music? Do you binge-watch Netflix? Everyone experiences stress and has a way of dealing with it. What might be a minor issue for some can be completely overwhelming for others. While there is no one-size-fits-all response, some ways to relieve stress can be unhealthy and even harmful. If any of these behaviors describe you, perhaps it’s time to consider some new stress-relief strategies.
Like your brain, your lung function can diminish with age, especially if you don’t take care of them. No matter what your age, it's still possible to keep your lungs working at an optimal level. "Your lungs finish development by age 25, and their function remains stable for about 10 years. After that, they begin to gradually decline. By age 65, you've typically lost up to a liter of lung capacity compared with when you were younger", says Dr. Aaron Waxman, director of the Pulmonary Vascular Disease Program at Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women's Hospital.
Our research shows that people that stay active and play old fashioned games such as crossword puzzles score better on cognitive exams. It is therefore very important to keep your brain engaged in mental stimulation activities as you age. Think of these seven activities like exercises for your brain.
A few years have passed since the COVID-19 pandemic, and the long-term impact of the virus on health & wellness continues to confuse doctors and scientists. Particularly concerning for doctors and patients alike are lingering side effects, such as memory loss, reduced attention and an inability to think straight. During these uncertain times, your mental well-being is more important than ever!
According to the Harvard School of Public Health, only a fraction of U.S. adults currently gets the recommended daily intake of all B vitamins from their diets alone. This could be due to a number of factors including normal aging, dietary choices or chronic digestive health issues.
If you read books while pedaling a stationary bike, add blueberries to your favorite smoothie or play sudoku, congratulations - you just might be a “super-ager.” Super-agers are baby boomers and seniors who have cognitive abilities comparable to people decades younger. A growing body of research suggests that we can all boost our odds of joining their ranks by tweaking our daily habits and rethinking our views on aging.
Learning something new at any age has a significant and permanent impact on your brain. Learning new skills physically changes your brain. Learning takes place mainly at synapses, the junctions between neurons in the brain. On the contrary, being bored, which occurs when you don’t learn new things very often, can be dangerous to your brain health and overall well-being.
