Dr. Amen on PBS Last Night

I watched Dr. Daniel G. Amen’s show on the Public Broadcasting System last night: “Magnificent Mind at Any Age.” It was so interesting that I started taking notes. What I brought away from that show was Dr. Amen’s preference for using natural supplementation in his psychiatric practice and his recommendation of a wide range of supplements and foods. What follows are those foods and supplements that I noticed:

Fish oils – recommended time and again during the program for healthy brain activity

Saint John’s wort – mentioned several times for balancing mood and encouraging sleep

Kava Kava – to promote relaxation

5HTP – to settle the minds of people who think too much

Lavender aromatherapy – for relaxation

Zinc – for its antioxidant properties

Ginkgo Biloba – for its ability to ensure good blood flow in the brain

Sage – According to vitaminstuff.com, “Like two other culinary herbs, rosemary and thyme, sage helps guard against depletion of the brain’s concentration of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that is crucial to proper brain function. A combination of ginkgo biloba, sage, and rosemary may help prevent or slow the development of Alzheimer’s.”

Vitamin E – for its antioxidant benefits

Valerian – for the treatment of insomnia

Melatonin – for getting to sleep

Tuna – for Omega 3’s contributions to heart and brain health

Salmon – ditto

Avocado – ditto

Walnuts – ditto

Blueberries – antioxidants

Red bell peppers – one of his daughter’s and my favourite vegetables.

He also recommended learning new dance steps, doing crossword puzzles, and exploring a new country and/or a new language as ways to maintain and expand good brain function.

I went to his website today and took his Free Memory Screen, as there is Alzheimer’s Disease on both sides of my family tree. I’m okay for now, so I’m keeping mentally and physically active, and emotionally stable.

Best of health, naturally,
Nina