NurseKeith's Corner

Brain health is all the rage these days, and for good reason. New research shows that our brains are most elastic than previously thought, and we can continue to build new neural connections throughout our lifetime. So, brain fitness has become an important aspect of personal health in recent times, and there are many ways to take advantage of the plethora of information now available to consumers.

Exercising the brain is now seen as important as exercising the body. There are many ways to put your brain through its paces, and most of us probably are already engaged in activities that promote brain health without being conscious of that fact.

Physical exercise: Research shows that moderate physical exercise can improve cognitive function and lower the risk of Alzheimers disease and other dementias.

Sleep: Good quality sleep allows the brain time to repair itself, consolidate information, and promote optimal learning

Nutrition: Protein, high quality foods, vitamins, minerals, low cholesterol intake, amino acids and other essential nutrients all promote brain health and good cognitive function. A healthy and well-balanced diet is key to brain health.

Challenge your brain: Games, puzzles, reading, writing, learning a new language, and other challenging activities all promote the growth of new neural connections and general brain fitness. Try things you have never tried before, practice new skills and otherwise make your brain work hard. Other suggestions include: avoiding using a calculator, playing games instead of watching TV, learning a musical instrument, and playing games or doing activities that test or challenge your memory.

Decrease stress: Some scientific evidence has revealed that chronic stress can adversely impact brain health. The release of stress hormones like cortisol can also potentially have a negative effect on the health of your brain, so managing stress, depression and anxiety can positively impact overall brain health.

Brain health is a crucial aspect of overall health, and with the knowledge that the decline of cognitive function and brain fitness begins at age 40, we all need to remember that taking care of our brains can add years of optimal health and function to our lives. Remember that your brain is key to every function of your body, and maintaining a healthy brain can add both quality and quantity to your life. Take care of your brain, and it will also take care of you.

Kefir is a cultured, fermented yogurt-like drink that is rich is enzymes, yeasts, and beneficial "probiotic" bacteria like acidophilus. Kefir can be made from cow, sheep or goat milk and has many similar health benefits to its cousin yogurt, and many people use kefir as a part of their daily whole foods diet.

Kefir is high in protein, minerals and vitamins, and its inherent probiotic components are an excellent antidote when one is taking antibiotics prescribed for an infection. Antobiotics can kill off the healthy flora and bacteria that line your digestive tract, and drinking kefir can help to replenish these essential healthy bacteria that are crucial to digestive health. Many mainstream doctors now advise their patients to eat yogurt, drink kefir, or take probiotics in pill form when taking antibiotics, but most do not know that kefir contains far more beneficial bacteria than most yogurts.

For those who are lactose intolerant, kefir is often well tolerated since the beneficial yeasts and bacteria in kefir produce lactase, the enzyme that consumes the lactose in the milk as it is cultured.

Kefir is said to help cleanse the digestive tract, providing beneficial organisms like friendly bacteria and yeasts that aid in various digestive processes, including helping to digest the other foods that you eat.

Kefir is high in tryptophan, the essential amino acid that relaxes the nervous system, often producing a restful feeling similar to the feeling induced by turkey, another food high in tryptophan. Kefir is also high in vitamins B1, B12 and K, as well as biotin, an important B vitamin.

When shopping for kefir at the health food store, be aware that many new brands are now sweetened with cane sugar or other sweeteners. Try buying plain kefir and sweetening it lightly with a small amount of honey or agave nectar, or just try it plain!

Kefir is a healthy addition to your diet, and if you have chronic digestive issues, you may find that eating it regularly may in fact improve your overall digestive health.

Whether you have a underlying respiratory condition or not, it is important to make sure your home does not have hidden reservoirs of mold that can make you sick. Mold grows on many different surfaces, and there are certain types of mold which are worse for your health than others. For the purposes of this blog post, we will not delve into the science of various molds, only to say that mold and mildew in your home can be disadvantageous to your health and should be avoided or eradicated if possible.

Controlling moisture is key to preventing mold growth in your home. When mold spores enter your home from the outdoors, for instance, they can only cause illness if they find moist or wet surfaces to adhere to. They then grow and release toxins and substances that can make you ill. You cannot get rid of all of the mold spores in your house, but you can decrease the chances of mold setting up shop if you take certain precautions.

If you have had water damage in your home, damp sheetrock, flooring, ceiling tiles and other materials must be removed. If mold is suspected, it can be toxic, so hiring a mold remediation specialist is important since removing mold infestations properly can sometimes only be done correctly---and healthily---by a trained professional.

Many homes have vents in the bathroom that do not actually vent moisture to the outdoors. Make sure that the shower vents in your bathrooms function, use them every time you bathe and shower, and have a professional determine that they actually vent to the outdoors. If not, moisture goes up into the rafters and can grow in the walls and in the attic.

Speaking of the attic, be sure that your home or apartment is well ventilated. Whether you own or rent, every building should have proper air circulation through soffit vents, ridge vents or gable vents, and these should be installed properly to allow air and moisture to circulate.

Other hints:

• Make sure gutters function properly and keep moisture from the outside walls of your home
• Make sure the ground slopes away from the foundation of your home
• Keep air conditioning pans that collect water are emptied regularly
• Keep indoor humidity as low as you can (generally under 50% is best)
• Dry up spills of water, wipe down damp windows, and clean up any areas where water collects
  

If you are a renter, report areas of moisture or leakage to your landlord. If there is no action taken, refer to your local agency that protects renters such as your local health inspector or health department

Mold can be dangerous to your health, but not all molds are created equal. If you suspect that mold in your home may be compromising your health, seek help from a mold remediation specialist. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has excellent information on their website for homeowners and renters, as we recommend their site as a resource: http://www.epa.gov/mold/index.html

If you find yourself tired and in need of a boost of energy, do you reach for commercial energy drinks like Red Bull? Just what's in those energy drinks and how do they effect your body?

Most energy drinks provide you with a brief surge of energy because they contain enormous amounts of sugar which can cause weight gain and blood sugar problems when consumed in large quantities.

Popular energy drinks also contain very large amounts of caffeine, and we all know that caffeine is a legal substance that many people feel can actually cause physical dependence. And bear in mind that caffeine can cause nervousness, irritability, increased blood pressure and insomnia, and it can be quite dangerous to those with cardiac conditions, leading to abnormal rhythms, palpitations, and other problems. Caffeine is also a diuretic and can cause you to urinate excessively, leading to dehydration, another condition dangerous for those with diabetes, cardiac conditions and kidney conditions.

If you are low on energy and in need of a boost, try getting more sleep, taking a nap when needed, adding more protein to your diet, increasing exercise, and adding more fresh fruits and vegetables to your diet. A diet rich in high-quality proteins and nutrients from fresh, natural foods will give you natural stores of energy, and a body conditioned with exercise will be less likely to experience fatigue.

And if you are diabetic, have heart disease or kidney disease, energy drinks are certainly something to avoid at all costs. Sure, have a cup of coffee to get yourself going in the morning, but when it comes to needing a boost, reach for protein, fresh fruit, nuts, dried fruit, exercise and adequate sleep to alleviate your fatigue. Energy drinks are an expensive fad that do not deliver what they promise. Avoid them in the interest of your health, and find natural ways to boost your energy that will not compromise your health and well-being!