What is the difference between grey and white matter in the brain?

Grey matter is greyish in colour because of the grey nuclei of cells and fills 40% of the brain, but consumes 94% of the oxygen.

White matter is whitish in colour because of myelin and fills 60% of the brain.

White matter is made up of long extending nerve fibers (axons) and connects various grey matter areas.

Grey matter is made up of neurons, dendrites, glial cells, synapses, and capillaries which are involved in muscle control, sensory perception, memory, emotions, speech, and self-control.

Grey matter contols how brain processing and cognition.

White matter controls how the brain functions and also controls temperature, blood pressure, heart rate.

Smokers loose grey matter at a greater rate than non-smokers.

The elderly with more grey matter have better cognitive function.

A US study has shown that there is an association in children between poverty and lower volume of grey matter.

Damage to white matter may be a sign of Alzheimers, even though Alzheimers is a grey matter disease.

Alcohol use may decrease white matter volume.

Why are fermented foods good for health?

Fermented foods are good for the digestive system which is extremely important as this system controls 85% of the immune system.

The digestive system has about 100 trillion bacteria which need to stay balanced between good and bad bacteria in order to function best.

The stomach is very acidic, and designed to kill off bad organisms (fungi, viruses, worms, bad bacteria, parasites) so that only acid-tolerant-good microbes move through into the small intestine where nutrition absorption takes place.

Stomach acidity declines with age, meaning that more and more bad microbes pass through into the small intestine as peoeple age. Studies are now linking dementia, age related disease to pathogenic microbes found in the small intestines.

Fermented foods are acidic and help the stomach maintain it's acidity. They also help with keeping the stomach detoxified so that it can do it's job better. Fermented foods also have a very high level of probiotics (good bacteria) which pass through into the small intestine.

Fermented foods also help produce acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter which helps with bowel movements, and therefore help prevent constipation.

Fermented foods also help prevent obesity and diabetes, regulate fat absorption, and help with mineral absorption.

What is Pyroluria?

Pyroluria is a genetic error in B6 and Zinc metabolism; Zinc and B6 are needed in the production of GABA and Seretonin.

People who are not effectively producing GABA and Seretonin have poor stress control, anxiety, mood swings, poor short term memory, explosive tempers, and depression.

Pyrolurics also have poor dream recall, abnormal fat distribution, and sensitivity to light & sound. 

What is Magnesium?

Magnesium is a chemical element needed for over 300 chemical reactions in the body. It's also known as an anti-stress mineral and natural tranquilizer.

Magnesium is depleted in people whose diets consist of processed foods, baked goods, soda, more than 7 alcohol units/week, caffeinated drinks, calcium supplements.

Magnesium is also depleted in people who are under alot of stress and who have poor diets.

Lack of magnesium looks like hyperexcitability, muscle weakness, sleepiness, aggression.

Studies done with high risk youth have found diets rich in magnesium are associated with reduced aggression and for reduced ADHD symptoms.

Magnesium can be found in dark, leafy vegetables, nuts, seeds, legumes, and cocoa.

What is GABA?

GABA is a neurotranamittor which controls fear and anxiety when neurons become overexcited.

A deficiency of GABA can help explain why some people have anxiety disorders or panic attacks.

GABA is also directly responsible for the regulation of muscle tone.

GABA does not cross the blood-brain barrier which is why supplementation is probably ineffective.

The amino acid L-glutamine is the precursor to GABA production.

Zinc and B6 also help in the production of GABA.

Some foods can stimulate the body to produce more GABA; such as oolong tea, cherry tomatoes, anything fermented (kefir, kimchi, sauerkraut, tempeh).  

What is the Therapeutic Lifestyle Change (TLC) for Depression?

Studies are showing the healthy lifestyles can be just as effective as pharmaceuticals for the treatment of depression. The following six have been identified as being particularly useful for healing from depression. Depression is an illness of decreased motivation; so the challenge is how to sustain these lifestyle changes until depression is erased or reduced.

1) Social connection.
2) Enhanced sleep.
3) Sunlight exposure.
4) Physical exercise.
5) Engaging activity.
6) Omega-3 fatty acids.

What are some foods which are good for my brain?

As we age the brain starts to atrophy or waste away; this starts around age 30, and then increases rapidly after age 50.  Brain deterioration can look like memory loss, difficulty learning new skills, sleep disruption, scattered concentration, and so on. Certain lifestyles such as high stress, substance misuse, and dehydration can also led to the same signs of an aging brain.

The brain is the most delcate organ of the body and can use up to 30% of the energy we derive from food.

Allergies can affect the central nervous system (brain and spine) and can show as fatigue, slowed thinking, irritability, agitation, aggression, nervousness, depression, schizophrenia, hyperactivity, learning disabilities, all issues we associate with brain function.

There are certain foods which can help with maintaining optimal brain function:

1) Blueberries: this fruit has compounds which boost neuron signals, to help neurons "talk to each other", helping with balance, coordination, and motor function.

2) Salmon: this fish helps the brain have more grey matter in the hippocampus, the posterior cingulate, and the orbital frontal cortex.  Studies are showing people who eat salmon have more omega-3 fatty acid in thier brain which helps protect against Alzheimers. Other studies show that omega-3 helps with mood, bipolar, and alcoholism.

3) Coffee: Studies show that limited caffeine from coffe can protect against Parkinsons, Dementia, and Alzheimer.

4) Nuts: Nuts contain fatty acids which can help with insomnia, poor memory, and mental clarity.

5) Avocados: This fruit contains a healthy fat which promotes blood flow to the brain.

6) Eggs: Egg yolks contain choline, one of the B vitamins. THis essential nutrient helps with memory function.

7) Chocolate: Dark chocolate contains magnesium and many antioxidants which are good for focus and concentration.

8) Broccoli: This vegetable activates cell recptor sites ad therefore is seen as a protective food as well as slows down the aging process.

9) Vitamin C & E: These vitamins enhance memory under stressful conditions. 

What foods are good for mood?

1) Proteins ( 22 amino acids) are necessary to produce neurotransmitters which communicate positive feelings throughout the CNS (Central Nervous System). The rate of depression in the world correspond to the amount of fish eaten and this is due to the Omega-3 contained in fish which is responsible for healthy brain function.

2) Omega-3 Fats which is found in fish and flaxseed is needed by the brain (which is 60% fat) and raises dopamine and is also an MAO inhibitor (slows down MAO enzymes which destroy neurotransmitters). Neurotransmitters are mood boosters in our CNS.

3) SAT Fats (butter, coconut milk, olive oil, nuts) are also known as Satisfying Fats. Olive oil contains Omega-9 which is a good mood fat. Butter contains butyrate (a fatty acid) which helps to make GABA ( a natural relaxant).

4) Vegetables contain magnesium (relaxing mineral) and potassium (promotes vitality). Vegies also contain Vitamins B & K which preserves Omega-3's.

5) Good Mood Carbs: bananas contain potassium, serotonin, and melatonin, all three essential for good brain health. Fructose from fruit is a carb but doesn't cause the blood sugar and mood to swing like grains (gluten) and white starches do. Fruit is also rich in B6 which is needed by the brain to produce serotonin.

What food are bad for moods?

1) Sugar and white flour starches as this combination overworks the adrenals which keeps our hormones balanced. Adrenal fatigue is the precursor of most disease, and can also look like depression.

2) Gluten grains (wheat, rye, oats, barley) irritate the digestive tract so that nutrients don't absorb properly. Gluten intolerance is linked to depression as well as thyroid disease.

3) Fats (vegetable oil, margarine, shortening) are unstable and therefore rancid or oxidative which can cause cellular damage to the brain which is mostly fat. These fats contain omega-6 which cause inflammation; inflammation in the brain interferes with dopomine production, our pleasure hormone.

4) Soy depresses thyroid function.