Brain Function Testing

04/10/2020

Are you letting stress get to you?
I'm not sure if there has ever been a more stressful time than the current social climate we are all experiencing right now! It doesn't have to get to you. UCLA has completed multiple studies on how guided mindfulness helps to relieve the body and mind of stress by applying mindfulness techniques, which allow one to focus on the present moment and relax. This can be done in as little as 5 to 10 minutes throughout the day when we feel most stressed.
What else are you doing to de-stress?

04/03/2020

Have you heard of functional exercise?
Put simply, functional exercise means that you increase your activity levels throughout the day by making small decisions like utilizing the stairs instead of an elevator or parking further from the grocery store instead of finding the closest parking spot. Movement is life and the more you move, the more life you're giving to your brain.

How do you get functional exercise during your day? (comment below)

03/26/2020

Don't let this pretty picture fool you! (This is a field of rapeseed which is where canola oil comes from)
At least 90% of the canola, cotton, corn, soy, and sugar sold in the United States is from GMO crops which are sprayed regularly with herbicides (glyphosate - aka RoundUp®) and residues of these chemicals remain in the food. Not only has it been linked to the formation of specific cancers, these foreign proteins and chemicals can trigger inflammation and create a destructive state which breaks down our neurons in our brain.

Who needs to know this? Be sure to share it with your FB friends!

03/23/2020

There's no substitute for a good nights sleep! Without it, your brain will suffer diminished function. Even stimulants like caffeine do NOT restore cognitive capabilities, despite the perceived increase in wakefulness, alertness, and attention.

Be sure to get your 8 hours. What do you do to stay on a sleep schedule?

03/21/2020

What are your favorite memory boosting strategies? (Please comment below!)

Individuals who participate in memory boosting strategies for at least 6 weeks can actually improve specific areas such as memory recall, processing speed, language skills, and abstract reasoning.

03/12/2020

Have you been feeling stressed lately?
Remember, stress causes diminished brain functions over time. The good news is that these brain changes are likely reversible simply by learning to manage stress differently. Remember, life is only 10% what happens to us and 90% how we respond to it.

What do you do to manage your stress? Comment below with your favorite stress management tools.

03/10/2020

Are you using High Intensity Interval Training yet?
Studies have shown that HIIT exercise leads to a reversal in the cellular signs of aging and an increase of 69% in mitochondrial function, which directly increases energy.

What are some of your favorite HIIT training programs? Let us know in comments.

03/04/2020

Is FAT really bad for you?
It depends on the source! The wrong types of fat in your diet can create inflammation and cell membrane rigidity, which causes rapid aging to our brains and leads to brain fog, memory loss, and worsening symptoms of multiple cognitive diseases.
Brain Boosting Tip: Avoid these bad fats which include hydrogenated oils and trans fats, as well as vegetable oils like canola and corn oil, or seed oils like safflower, sunflower, and soybean oils. These are the types of oils and fats that are primarily found in processed foods and fast food.
What are some of your favorite healthy fats? (share in comments)

03/02/2020

Are you getting enough QUALITY sleep?
The Rand Corporation has published several studies showing the impact of sleep deprivation on the economy. On average, the United States loses up to $411 billion per year due to the adverse effects on well-being and productivity in the workforce due to sleep loss. If it's that bad at work, just imagine what we are missing out on in life.
Brain Boosting Tip: Avoid eating or drinking after dinner. Doing so has been shown to negatively affect the quality of your sleep.

02/27/2020

What is MILD COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT (MCI)?

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is the stage between the expected cognitive decline of normal aging and the more serious decline of dementia. It can involve problems with memory, language, thinking and judgment that are greater than normal age-related changes. These changes are serious enough to be noticed to the person affected and to family members and friends, but do not affect the individual’s ability to carry out everyday activities.
Unchecked, it is considered a risk factor for later development of Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia. The sooner you know there might be a problem, the sooner you can start taking steps to protect your future. Have you taken your brain function assessment yet?

02/27/2020

Seth Conger discusses the importance of Brain Function Testing as a first step in understanding your risk of cognitive decline and path toward optimal health!

Find out more today - https://www.brainfunctiontesting.com/

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02/26/2020

A study reported by Harvard Health showed that individuals who engage in mentally stimulating activities are half as likely to develop mild cognitive impairment compared to those who do not.
Brain Boosting Tip: This is easy to implement because you can stimulate your brain and have fun at the same time! Activities can be done individually or with friends and family. Schedule some time for "brain training": crossword puzzles, jigsaw puzzles, Sudoku, the memory game, chess, or card games like Spades, Hearts, or Bridge. And don't forget to have fun!

02/24/2020

Stress causes your brain to shunt resources for survival rather than higher cognitive functions. Remember, life is only 10% what happens to us and 90% how we respond to it.
Brain Boosting Tip: Expressing gratitude helps your mind focused on what you have and not on what you’re missing. Try taking 5 minutes everyday to write down what you're grateful for in a journal. This is a key component to reducing the perception of stress and will help you stay more positive in the midst of difficult situations.

02/19/2020

Why should you care about Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF)?
First off, it is essential for maintaining healthy neurons and creating new ones. Decreased levels of BDNF are associated with neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease.
BDNF also participates in neuronal plasticity, which is essential for learning and memory.
Lastly, individuals that utilize lifestyle factors to increase BDNF demonstrate improved brain health with aging.
Be sure to utilized the Brain Boosting Tips that we give each week so you can experience the best life has to offer AND monitor your progress with a Brain Function Testing Membership. Your brain will thank you!

02/17/2020

A study performed at the University of Texas showed higher levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and improvements in cognitive functioning (learning and memory) for individuals who utilized high intensity exercise. Additionally, weight training (resistance exercises) also improved mental performance.
Brain Boosting Tip: Incorporate resistance exercises into you HIIT routine. Find a group, workout together, and watch as your health improves.

02/13/2020

Bad information has caused many Americans to avoid fats for fear of heart disease and obesity. The truth of the matter is that fat is an essential nutrient for your body and especially for your brain.
Brain Boosting Tip: Focus on eating healthy fats which come from olives and olive oil, coconut and coconut oil, avocado and avocado oil, properly fed meats like wild caught salmon, pastured chicken and grass-fed beef, eggs, raw nuts, and even DARK CHOCOLATE!

02/10/2020

Sleep.org reports: "The blue light emitted by screens on cell phones, computers, tablets, and televisions restrain the production of melatonin, the hormone that controls your sleep/wake cycle or circadian rhythm. Reducing melatonin makes it harder to fall and stay asleep." Lack of sleep not only negatively affects your brain function, but also ages you faster, increases your risk for cardiovascular disease, lowers your immune system response, and increases cravings for unhealthy foods.
Brain Boosting Strategy: Limit screen time after dinner and use blue light filters on your screens.

02/05/2020

Stress Management relates to multiple different aspects of daily life including your social interactions with others and managing your schedule. There is specific evidence that quality social interactions and strong relationships can help protect your memory and cognitive function.
Brain Boosting Tip: Be sure to manage your schedule and don't get over extended! Instead, make time to spend with your loved ones. It's time well spent.