Many people accept cognitive loss as a normal part of aging. But the truth is, “senior moments” – regardless of your age – are signs that your brain and body need additional support. With these researched strategies, you can optimize your brain, and overall health, while you continue to make memories that last a lifetime.

Researchers have discovered a promising new way to spot the earliest signs of Alzheimer’s disease – and it lies deep within the eyes.

A new study in the journal Acta Neuropathologica involving retinal samples from 86 human donors gathered over 14 years, links cognitive impairment with retinal changes that can occur in the earliest stages of disease progression. The hope is that these findings will pave the way for future diagnostic and treatment advancements.

This research comes at a pivotal time, as Alzheimer’s – and cognitive loss in general – is on the rise. The Alzheimer’s Association estimates that more than 6 million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease.

Living in fear of developing Alzheimer’s is not healthy for anyone. That is no way to live your life. But, having said that, it is important to recognize signs of cognitive decline, such as:

• Being slower at normal tasks
• Trouble retaining current info
• Feeling overwhelmed with new information
• Difficulty focusing

These and other related issues do not mean you will develop Alzheimer’s or dementia in the future – but they do indicate your brain needs support. And you are never too young to start protecting your neurological function.

Optimal cognitive function depends on multiple factors, including efficient detoxification of toxins, anti-inflammatory therapies, and maximum antioxidant activity. Any impairments in these areas can deprive the brain of nutrition, fuel neuroinflammation, and damage neurons and brain cells.

Learn exactly how to identify and improve these underlying causes of cognitive decline. It is possible to rejuvenate your brain, sharpen your mental function, and improve your mood.

Toxins

Your brain is particularly vulnerable to a wide range of common toxins that you are exposed to daily. Some of the biggest culprits include heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, and mercury that show up in our food, water, and surrounding environments. These toxic metals can find their way into your brain and nervous system, trigger neuroinflammation, and harm your cognitive function.

Research shows a close link between toxic heavy metals and Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. These toxins can damage your brain in several ways:

• Increase the buildup of beta-amyloid plaque in the brain, a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease
• Promote the buildup of tau proteins, also shown to harm brain cells
• Disrupt essential minerals for brain health
• Interfere with neurotransmitter production
• Trigger the “alarm protein” galectin-3, which, when overexpressed, causes neuroinflammation

Mycotoxins from mold

These poisons produced by mold are also a problem for brain function and can play a role in Alzheimer’s. Mycotoxins can be found everywhere, from packaged foods to damp indoor environments. Many people have trouble naturally detoxifying mycotoxins, which allows these harmful toxins to cause lasting harm to the brain and body.

In today’s world, it is impossible to avoid exposure to these and other toxins, including EMFs/low-intensity radiation. Many researchers theorize that these common pollutants can accelerate Alzheimer’s disease – so it strikes younger and progresses faster.

Your body has natural detox mechanisms, but it has also been pushed to the limit – our bodies did not evolve to handle the amount of toxin exposure we face today.

In my practice, I rely on highly effective natural detox agents to help reduce the body’s toxic burden of heavy metals, environmental toxins, EMFs, and other pollutants. This helps protect long-term health – including brain function.

Neuroinflammation

Inflammation inside the brain (aka neuroinflammation) is a major contributor to cognitive loss and other serious neurological conditions. To reduce neuroinflammation, you must address one of its primary triggers – the “alarm protein” galectin-3.

When the body is under stress, galectin-3 signals your immune system to produce inflammation as a response to threats. However, many times, this inflammation cannot turn off on its own, and it ends up harming the brain in numerous ways, such as:

• Destroying brain cells
• Increasing oxidative stress and damage
• Triggering brain fog and memory loss
• Disrupting focus and attention
• Increasing risks of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease

In fact, researchers now theorize that galectin-3 plays a key role in Alzheimer’s and that blocking it may counteract the formation and progression of this devastating neurological disease.

Galectin-3 fuels Alzheimer’s Disease

By triggering neuroinflammation, galectin-3 sets off a cascade of biochemical reactions that can contribute to Alzheimer’s disease. The disease can progress slowly and begin in the brain relatively early in life, whittling away at brainpower in seemingly minor ways. Before you know it, these changes can accelerate into dementia.

Studies show that Alzheimer’s disease patients have much higher levels of galectin-3 than healthy people. One study found elevated galectin-3 in patients with Alzheimer’s disease and patients with mild cognitive impairment, suggesting that the protein does indeed play a role in Alzheimer’s development.

Another study showed that all subjects with Alzheimer’s had significantly higher levels of galectin-3. This finding led to the conclusion that galectin-3 testing could help identify Alzheimer’s in its beginning stages, while there’s still time to intervene.

Diabetes and Alzheimer’s risk

Type 2 diabetes is a well-known risk factor for dementia. In fact, Alzheimer’s disease has been referred to as “Type 3 Diabetes” because of the close connections between glucose imbalance, neuroinflammation, and cognitive decline.

A groundbreaking study on the use of galectin-3 blockers in cognitive impairment in type 2 diabetics revealed that Modified Citrus Pectin (MCP), the most-researched natural galectin-3 blocker, inhibited the pro-inflammatory actions of galectin-3, reversing learning and memory problems in a type 2 diabetes animal model.

Five smart solutions for better clarity and brain power

1. Clinically researched modified citrus pectin (MCP)

This unique natural ingredient delivers multiple benefits for brain power, neurological health, and overall wellness. Not only does this super nutrient safely remove heavy metals and other brain-harming toxins, but it is also the most-studied galectin-3 blocker, as mentioned above.

By blocking galectin-3, MCP helps:

• Reduce brain inflammation and oxidative stress
• Protect against memory loss
• Improve cognitive function

With over 75 published studies to date, MCP delivers a broad spectrum of additional health benefits, including support against cancer and metastasis, cardiovascular and kidney disease, and general aging. Most of these benefits come from its unique ability to inhibit galectin-3 and support optimal healing and repair throughout the body.

2. Pure honokiol magnolia bark extract

This extract of magnolia bark is a powerful, multifunctional compound, with potent natural antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits. It has been extensively researched for its neurological support and protection, and it demonstrates targeted benefits for brain health and function.

Studies show that honokiol can reduce neuroinflammation and protect against oxidative damage, offering vital protection for the brain. Pure honokiol has the unique ability to cross the blood-brain barrier and inhibit inflammatory compounds to fight cognitive decline.

Research also shows that honokiol and MCP work synergistically. This strategic combination offers increased anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects and delivers even more support and protection for cognitive function and overall health.

3. Diet for a better brain

The foods you eat have a direct impact on your brain function. Research shows that foods rich in antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds can support optimal cognitive function, while those high in sugar and refined carbs, for example, degrade neurological health.

Foods with specific brain-boosting properties include:

• Raw nuts and seeds
• Fresh berries
• Fatty fish, such as salmon and sardines
• Green vegetables

4. Exercise

One of the simplest and best ways to boost your cognitive function is with regular exercise. In fact, physical inactivity is a primary risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease, and on the positive side, regular physical activity may be one of the best interventions. Aerobic exercise and dance can be especially beneficial for improving brain function.

5. Healthy stress relief through meditation

Chronic stress floods your brain and nervous system with cortisol, the main stress hormone – with serious impacts to brainpower. Have you ever tried to think clearly under high stress? Even chronic, low-level stress can increase inflammation and drain your brain power.

Meditation is one of the best methods for relieving stress and increasing brain power and executive function. One study found that even just 12 minutes a day of meditation could improve brain function and combat memory loss in subjects with mild cognitive impairment.

Is it brain fog?

We all experience those moments from time to time – a forgotten name, a hazy memory, misplaced keys. In today’s age of multitasking madness, it is easy to lose track of a few details. But when these “forgetful episodes” happen regularly, they can become more than just passing phenomena – they may be a sign of brain fog. This increasingly widespread problem affects people of all ages, not just seniors.

That means brain fog has less to do with aging, and more to do with overall health.

Signs you are experiencing brain fog

The term “brain fog” describes the symptoms well – people feel as if there is a thick fog dampening their mind. While the medical and mental health establishments do not recognize brain fog, it is a surprisingly common condition that affects people of all ages. Symptoms include:

• Pervasive absent-mindedness/forgetfulness
• Muddled thought processes
• Poor memory recall
• Trouble focusing
• Difficulty processing information and/or making decisions
• Disorientation
• Fatigue (physical and mental)
• Anxiety and irritability
• Mood swings
• Easily distracted
• Feeling “spaced out”

All the natural interventions mentioned above are effective at addressing brain fog.

Many people accept cognitive loss as a normal part of aging. But the truth is, “senior moments” – regardless of your age – are signs that your brain and body need additional support. With these researched strategies, you can optimize your brain, and overall health, while you continue to make memories that last a lifetime.