Drinking Cocoa = Healthy Brains

Here’s more good news for chocolate lovers, according to an article on the BBC website, “A study of 60 elderly people with no dementia found two cups of cocoa a day improved blood flow to the brain in those who had problems to start with.”

My quick questions was “Does increased blood flow = something good?”

Satisfyingly, the answer is “yes.” According to the article, “Those participants whose blood flow improved also did better on memory tests at the end of the study, the journal Neurology reported.”

This study has been pick up by dozens of websites. Here’s a link to the BBC site where I first saw it: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-23607879

And here’s a link to the Science Daily site if you prefer a site with slightly more scientific gravitas: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/08/130807204447.htm

Image credit: <a href='http://www.123rf.com/photo_13374317_cup-of-hot-chocolate-cinnamon-sticks-nuts-and-chocolate-on-wooden-table-on-brown-background.html'>serezniy / 123RF Stock Photo</a>

Another Brain Tumor Celebrity: Darren Daulton

I just read this about the star Philadelphia Phillies baseball player: “Darren has been diagnosed with a Glioblastoma (“GBM”), a form of brain cancer. He has returned to his Clearwater area home to continue recuperating amongst his immediate family and friends. He will eventually begin treatments in Florida. Darren and his family wish to thank everyone for their loving support throughout this difficult time. He is deeply touched. In typical fashion, he again said, ‘Right on; Fight on.’ Darren and his family request that everyone respect his privacy and that of his family during this period of time. At his urging, I can report that the September 9, 2013 golf tournament that benefits the Foundation will continue as planned.”

Here’s a link to one of the Philly.com articles: http://www.philly.com/philly/health/Former_Phillie_Darren_Daulton_diagnosed_with_malignant_brain_cancer.html

And here’s a link to his first post-surgery interview: http://www.myfoxphilly.com/story/23022647/daulton-doing-radio-interview-from-florida-home

Brains, Berries & Radiation

Generally speaking, berries are good for your brain and radiation is bad for your brain. If you've had radiation treatments, berries are even better for your brain.

That’s what I learned from a couple of articles about brains, berries and radiation.

The Huffington Post reports that “Berries could play an important role in clearing the accumulation of toxic proteins in the brain, according to a new study in mice.

The research, presented at the Experimental Biology 2013 meeting, showed that the brains of rats that consumed berries for two months were better protected against radiation, which is meant to induce accelerated aging in the mice.”

HuffPost's Catherine Pearson reported also said that “Even though the findings have yet to be published in a peer-reviewed journal -- and thus should be considered preliminary -- a past study from Harvard researchers showed that eating berries regularly could help slow cognitive decline in older people.”

Since my cognitive acumen is perking along at something lower and slower than I’d like to begin with, the idea of keeping me from tumbling into an even the lower strata of cognitive ability is appealing.

Here’s the “HuffPost’s” link: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/27/berries-brain-toxic-proteins-accumulation_n_3133953.html

Here’s a link to the press release from the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2013-04/foas-meb041813.php

And Here’s some berry recipes from FOOD52.COM to help you get started: http://food52.com/blog/7707-boosting-brain-health-one-berry-at-a-time

Personally, I’m working my way through a box of yummy Michigan blueberries right now.

5 Ways to Protect Your Brain

Are big-time capitalists worried about their cognitive skills? Their ability to quickly problem-solve? Their tinker-boxes? You betcha!

Are big-time capitalists worried about their cognitive skills? Their ability to quickly problem-solve? Their gray matter when it grays? You betcha!

How do I know that?  Because I read a Fortune magazine article written by Anne Fisher entitled 5 ways to protect your brain, and boost your career: http://management.fortune.cnn.com/2013/08/08/5-ways-to-protect-your-brain-and-boost-your-career/

Accord to Ms. Fisher, here’s the five ways to protect your brain and boost your career:

1. Never stop learning
2. Immerse yourself in another culture.
3. Seek out tough "stretch" assignments.
4. Manage stress.
5. Have lots of friends.

For me, I’m going to never stop learning about how to keep my gray matter from going black.