1. 1 Memory Enhancement BY KAREN JANUSZ CERTIFIED NUTRITIONIST, AASDN ACE CERTIFIED PERSONAL TRAINER YOGA INSTRUCTOR CERTIFIED BRAIN FITNESS FACILITATOR

2. 2 About the Brain  The total weight of the brain is three pounds.  A whale’s brain is twenty pounds.  Human brains “outweigh” whale brains by a ratio of 250 to 1.  Among humans the size of the brain doesn’t seem to matter.  Jonathan Swift and Ivan Turgenev – had massive brains weighing 4.4 lbs.  Albert Einstein had a normal size braid.  Anatole France, who won the Nobel Prize for literature, had a brain that weighed 2.2 lbs.

3. 3 Brain facts continued…..  90% of the knowledge about the brain comes from the past decade of research.  Your brain is about the size of your fists joined together.  The brain uses up approximately 20% of the body’s energy consumption.  It uses up 8 gallons of blood per hour and needs about 8 glasses of water per day.  The major sources of energy for the brain are oxygen and glucose (Wolfe 2001).  The brain is made up of about 78% water, 10% fat, and 8% protein (Hardiman 2003).

4. 4 Brain Development  The brain stem- sits atop the spinal column. Aka “The reptilian brain”  First part of the brain formed in the womb  The brain stem relays information from the senses and controls basic things like breathing and heartbeat.

5. 5 Division of Labor in the Cerebrum  Frontal lobe- chief executive officer, responsible for self- motivation, behavior and problem solving.  Parietal lobe- processes information from the senses, taste, touch, smell- where our higher senses are processed.  Temporal lobe- controls hearing, learning, and memory  Occipital lobe- region responsible for vision. It serves as the movie screen of the brain.

6. 6 Sto Memory Traces  Past thinking believed in the Partition-Storage type memory retention.  e.g. all memory of animals would be in one area (archaic thinking)  Research scientists believe in “Multiple Mapping”. Memory traces must travel around the brain to be complete  The brain’s transportation system of neurotransmitters must be kept healthy.

7. 7 Your Thought Chemistry  Brain cells run on electricity  Thoughts travel through your brain on electrical currents. Long strands of thoughts “light up” with electrical energy to form a complete thought.  The brain produces enough electricity to light up a 20 watt light bulb.  Brain cells build memory traces. 20,000 brain cells would fit on the head of a pin.  Long chains of brain cells connected by neurotransmitters from complete thoughts.

8. 8 Brain Cells  The Nucleus  Dendrites  Synapse between cells  Flow of bioelectricity

9. 9 Stress and brain health  Neuronal dendrites, the branch-like extensions that carry information into the cell body of the neuron, can be reduced by 18-32 % when exposed to toxic stress.  Consistent stress leads to the death of neurons.  Cortisol, a stress hormone, damages the cells of the hippocampus, crippling the ability of the brain to learn and remember.

10. 10 Stress- destroys brain cells three ways  1 ) Cortisol is released – inhibiting the utilization of blood sugar by the hippocampus.  2) Cortisol overproduction interferes with the function of the brain’s neurotransmitters.  3) Too much cortisol disrupts normal brain cell metabolism and causes excessive amounts of calcium to enter the brain cells. Excess calcium produces molecules called free radicals, which kill brain cells.

11. 11 Tyranny of Time  Memory problems that mimic Alzheimer’s 1) Clinical depression- 10-% 2) Lifestyle errors- 20% (substandard nutrition, excessive alcohol, etc.) 3) Multiple, Minor strokes – 20% 4) Alzheimer’s 50%

12. 12 Aromatherapy and the Brain

13. 13 What your brain smells can help your brain think!  The olfactory nerves are only 3 inches from the brain.  The nerve fibers from the nose and it’s aroma detectors run directly to your brain’s limbic area which is associated with emotional response.  The nostrils have been referred to as “ brain cells outside the brain”.  Scents and aromas pass directly from your nose across the blood brain barrier without any interference. This is why smells and aromas can so instantly affect your mind and feelings, triggering joy or disgust or deep memory.

14. 14 Aromatherapy Enhances Cognitive Function  Peppermint  Purifying and stimulating to the conscious mind.  Dr. William N. Dember of the University of Cincinnati found that inhaling Peppermint oil increased mental accuracy by 28%.  Alan Hirsch, MD, researched Peppermints stimulation of the brain’s satiety center to curb appetite.  University of Kiel researchers found that Peppermint helped with headache discomfort.

15. 15 Brain Power  Promotes concentration  Channels physical energy into mental energy  Increases mental potential, and clarity  High in sesquiterpene compounds that increase activity in the pineal, pituitary and hypothalamus glands.  Oils in this blend dissolve petrochemicals that congest the receptor site, clearing “brain fog” that people experience due to exposure to synthetic chemicals found in food, skin, and hair care products.

16. 16 Brain Power Ingredients  Frankincense: stimulates the limbic part of the brain, which elevates the mind.  Sandalwood: high in sesquiterpene compounds which stimulate the pineal gland and the limbic region of the brain, the center of emotions and memory. It is used traditionally in yoga and meditation.  Cypress: improves circulation and increases the flow of oxygen to the brain stimulating the amygdala, pineal gland, pituitary gland and hypothalamus.  Melissa: stimulates the limbic part of the brain, the emotional center of memories. Helps remove emotional blocks and instills a positive outlook on life.  Cedarwood: is high in sequiterpenes, which can stimulate the limbic part of the brain, the center of emotions and memory. It stimulates the pineal gland which releases melatonin, thereby improving thoughts, cognition and memory.

17. 17 Clarity  Promotes a clear mind and amplifies mental alertness and vitality. It increases energy when overly tired and brings greater focus to the spirit and mind.

18. 18 Clarity Ingredients  Basil: Alleviates mental fatigue and muscle spasms.  Cardamon: is uplifting, refreshing and invigorating. It may be beneficial for clearing confusion.  Rosemary: helps overcome mental fatigue, stimulates memory and opens the conscious mind.  Peppermint: stimulates the mind and sense awareness.  Bergamont: is simultaneously uplifting and calming with a unique ability to relieve anxiety, stress, and tension.  Additional Oils in the Blend:  Lemon; Geranium; Coriander; Ylang Ylang; Jasmine; Roman Chamomile

19. 19 NingXia Nitro  Boost Mental Power  Experience a New Level of Energy  Enjoy the Ultimate Pick- Me-Up… Ningxia Nitro  All natural potency of nature’s top super foods  Plus therapeutic-grade essential oils for increased energy  Improved activity and endurance, and overall enhanced mental fitness.

20. 20 NingXia Nitro Ingredients  Contains a wide range of powerful cognitive enhancers, including a proprietary blend of:  Black Pepper  Nutmeg  Vanilla  Chocolate  Yerba Mate  Spearmint  Peppermint  NingXia Nitro also contains:  Bioenergy Ribose, a form of D-Ribose that has been clinically tested for its ability to increase energy, endurance and aerobic activity – and is currently used by Olympic athletes. This ingredient improved physical performance, speeds recovery, and increases overall energy reserves.

21. 21 Mindwise  Unique supplement that supports brain and heart function.  Combines exotic sacha inchi nut oil with a proprietary MindWise oil with a high proportion of unsaturated fatty acids and an unmatched percentage of desirable omega-3 fatty acids a-Linoleic acid, MCT, and pure essential oils. Generous amounts of Vitamin D3 and a unique delivery method.  Supports memory function and overall cognitive and cardiovascular health.

22. 22 Brain Nutrition Guidelines  Be Physically Active Daily  Eat a nutrient dense diet  Minimal red meat, sweets and  Minimal alcohol  Drink 8-10 glasses of water daily  Supplement where needed  Enhance mental function with  Aromatherapy

23. 23 What Science Thinks  Brain fitness programs- to enhance daily functions.  IMPACT program – (Improvement in Memory and Plasticity- based Adaptive Cognitive Training) study (2009) found using a specific cognitive training program for one hour a day, five days a week for 8 to 10 weeks: a) Increased auditory (speech) processing speed more than twofold b) Improved memory (equivalent to turning back the clock 10 years) and enhanced daily function as well. www.positscience.com www.positscience.

24. 24 Additional Brain Tools  Use Color to enhance memory  Color accesses the visual learning center of the brain  Use colored paper pens and filters to increase learning and retention  Use Music to enhance your memory  Classical music at 60 beats per minute harmonizes the heart and the brain

25. 25 Brain Fitness  Never Stop Learning!  For more information contact: Karen Janusz Your Holistic Health Coach 602-882-2976 Karen.Janusz@pvholisticcare.com