Raw Foods Diet & Raw Food Weight Loss Blog

We’re extremely busy this week with some home projects, so we figured we’d simply share a few interesting photos each day. Here’s today’s — a big plate of freshly picked cherries from our yard!  These are smaller cherries than you’ll find in stores. We believe they’re sour cherries, which is a very healthy variety, even though they’re not as tasty as Bing’s or Ranier’s.  They’re reportedly good for pies, though. I’ve eaten tons of them so far;  they’re at their peak at the moment here.

I tell you… the dangerous thing about cherries is something you’ll only discover when you’re out there on a ladder, standing on that tip-top rung (which clearly states: “Do NOT stand on this rung!”), and you’re reaching higher and higher for that next bunch of nature’s goodness. Even in this situation, you find yourself thinking: “If I could just reach a *little bit* higher!”  Sooner or later, you have to realize that some cherries are there for the birds, squirrels, and raccoons.

Today we talk about ways to lessen one’s chances of developing dementia, aside from dietary changes. Other than eliminating foods from our diet that may hinder brain function, or adding foods that enhance brain function, what can we do to keep our minds sharp as we age?

The first action step you can take to keep your mind healthy is to physically exercise the rest of the body. By keeping our limbs and muscles active, we are not only enhancing the flow of oxygen throughout our bodies, we’re continually working our brains, as well. Every move you make requires a message from your brain to be sent to your muscles. So, the more you move, the more you’re exercising that part of your brain.

What seems to be equally important for your brain’s health is mental exercise. You know that saying, “Use it or lose it”? Well, that seems to be very true when it comes to brain function. Scientists have found that the more mentally active an individual is, the healthier their brains are (and the more they can remember) as they age.

There are many ways to continually exercise your mind. Reading, as we mentioned in a previous post, is an enjoyable way to keep the brain young and fresh. Playing games, especially those that are challenging, is also extremely beneficial to one’s mental health. Chess, board games, card games, picture puzzles, and crossword puzzles are popular activities many individuals enjoy. The more you play games, the healthier your mind is going to be.

Challenging your thinking and learning new subjects and skills is something many sharp-witted individuals have in common. Learning to play an instruments, speak a new language, or even dance a new way can produce a lot of mental stimulation. That mental stimulation seems to be accumulative, also — the more you learn, on a consistent basis, the stronger and healthier your mind tends to be as you age. It’s never too late to add more mental exercises into your daily routine, though, if you haven’t been regularly challenging your mind.

Another powerful mind enhancer is having an active social life. The more you interact with others, on a regular basis, the stronger your memory functions will be in the future. Those who are isolated, lacking a lot of mental stimulation through interactions with others, tend to have a tougher time with remembering current events, as well as past events.

Combining mind games with social activities is a powerful combination for keeping the mind active and young. If you haven’t played a game with others in a long time, why not think about organizing a fun game evening sometime soon? It doesn’t have to be a huge party, just a time to spend with one or more friends, actively playing a game and sharing a fun time together. Add in some heart-healthy foods that are also anti-inflammatory and you’ve got yourself a powerful set of tools to keep dementia from ever being a part of your life.

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Aside from diet and physical and mental exercises, it’s also important to limit one’s exposure to aluminum and environmental toxins (including those found in common household cleaning agents). If you aren’t aware of the link between aluminum and Alzheimer’s please do some additional research. Aluminum is commonly found in canned foods, antiperspirants, cookware, antacids, and canned beverages. It’s very important to avoid aluminum as much as possible in your life, since it’s also being detected in the air and water over the past year, or so. The more you can eliminate your exposure to it, the better.

I also came across something interesting in my research on eliminating one’s chances of developing dementia or alzheimer’s. Of all the research that has been done on finding things to decrease one’s chances of developing memory loss, there is only one thing that has been consistently found to aid individuals in keeping a healthy mind. It turns out that Medical Marijuana has been extremely effective in eliminating Alzheimer’s. Maybe it’s because I’ve never been into using drugs, so I probably don’t fully understand it, but I always pictured those who smoke marijuana to be a bit dull-minded and forgetful (and in fact, as though they are *killing* their brain cells). I guess we all learn something new every day…it turns out their brains are actually being stimulated in healthy ways. Of course, we’re not advocating the use of illegal drugs in order to keep your mind young and active, but we did want to share that medical marijuana seems to be the most promising natural way to stay mentally sharp well into the centenarian years.

Who’s been making small changes and feeling a bit brighter lately, since we’ve been talking about brain health? Today, let’s continue focusing on some things we can actively do to minimize our chances of developing memory problems like Dementia or Alzheimer’s in the future.

Yesterday we focused on heart-healthy tips to increase brain function (since heart disease seems to be linked with Alzheimer’s) and I shared a heart-healthy recipe with you. Today, we’ll focus on inflammation.

While research isn’t clear yet on the causes of brain function deterioration, inflammation is almost always found in the bodies and brains of those suffering from memory loss. Studies haven’t concluded whether the inflammation is secondary to the disease, or a direct cause of it. Regardless, inflammation can exacerbate problems in the body (whether in the brain, or otherwise). So, it’s best to control inflammation in the body as best as we can.

There have been some preliminary studies showing that anti-inflammatory foods, such as the turmeric spice, have been effective in preventing brain damage. Inflammation, which is always found in those with early stage memory loss, is something that can be easily controlled through diet. By avoiding certain foods and incorporating a steady supply of others, it can be relatively easy to eliminate inflammation in the body.

It’s important to note that inflammation is almost always a result of some other issue. In many cases, when we look at diet, consuming certain foods can produce an inflammatory response. In those instances, it’s best to avoid those specific foods. In other cases, there are underlying problems in the body and an inflammatory response is sometimes triggered.

With inflammation there is heat, swelling, and pain (just think about what happens after accidentally smashing a finger or toe). In isolated incidences like a smashed toe or finger, the inflammation is going to eventually fade and that body part will return to health. However, when the inflammation is wide-spread through the body, and chronic in nature, it’s a sign that something major is going on. Finding the root of the problem is vitally important, of course.

Many individuals who suffer with ongoing inflammation find relief when they change their diets. It’s proven that certain foods definitely contain either pro- or anti-inflammatory properties. Avoiding the former and incorporating more of the latter in one’s diet can bring about tremendous benefits (both overall in the body, but also in the brain if there is any inflammation present there, as well).

Here’s a list of some foods that cause inflammation and others that eliminate it.

CAUSE INFLAMMATION

• Processed foods (which include saturated fats, sugar, artificial ingredients)
• Organ meatsHydrogenated oil (and any products made with it)
• Fried foods
• Processed meats
• Fast foods
• Saturated fats (meat, dairy, eggs)
• High fructose corn syrup and soft drinks
• Most polyunsaturated vegetable oils (safflower, sunflower, corn, peanut and soy)
• Common allergens (casein and gluten)

ELIMINATE INFLAMMATION

• Olive oil
• Omega-3 foods (walnuts, flax seeds, pumpkin seeds)
• Avocados
• Nuts
• Tart cherries
• Onions and garlic
• Pineapple
• Spinach
• Turmeric and ginger
• Orange-colored vegetables and fruits

The more whole and natural the food, the less likely it is to cause an inflammatory response in the body.The opposite is true, too, of course: the more processed and unnatural the foods you eat, the greater chances of triggering an inflammatory response in the body.

To minimize the chances of developing memory problems, eliminate as many inflammation-causing foods and incorporate as many anti-inflammatory foods as possible. The following recipe not only reduces inflammation, it is also delicious and super easy to prepare!

Pineapple Smoothie

• 1 ripe pinapple
• Few handfulls fresh spinach
• Few pieces if ice (optional)

Directions:
Remove outer skin of pineapple. If you have a Vitamix, or similar high-powered blender, you can simply chop the pineapple into large chunks and drop into the Vitamix container. Use the tamper to force the chunks down into the blades as it blends into a smoothie.
If you are using a standard blender, you’ll need to remove the core of the pineapple (since it won’t blend well), and also cut the pineapple into small chunks (and you’ll need to slowly add the pinapple pieces to your blender, so they can process). You may need to add some water to the container, as well, if it’s not blending for you.
Blend the pineapple chunks and then add a few handfuls of spinach to the mix and blend a bit longer. You can also add a little bit of ice, if desired, to create a colder smoothie. This is so easy and so delicious!

Remember, the less inflammation you have in your body, the better your chance of less inflammation in your brain (which has been found in those with Dementia and Alzheimer’s). Continually work on extinguishing inflammation before it causes a problem in your body.

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Photo by olgucz on Flickr (Creative Commons).

Continuing with our week of ways to keep a sharp mind, let’s focus on the one widely accepted indicator for dementia or alzheimer’s: heart disease. If one wants to dramatically reduce the chances of brain degredation, the first step to take is keeping the heart healthy.

The key advice most health specialists agree on when it comes to a healthy heart is the reduction (ideally eliminatain) of unhealthy fats in the diet. The unhealthy fats are usually seen as solid fats, like butter, margerine, and shortening. However, it’s important to not overlook the fats that are also found in meats. By substituting unhealthy fats with something healthier for your heart (like extra virgin, cold-pressed olive oil), as well as transitioning to leaner meats if you are a meat eater, you will be taking some important steps in keeping your heart healthy, as well as your mind.

While eliminating the unhealthy fats from your body, it’s also equally important to include more fresh vegetables, nuts, and fruits which can help heal the body. Although studies haven’t been conclusive, there is strong evidence that individuals who regularly consume fresh, water-rich vegetables and fruits tend to have a lower incidence of memory loss.

Today’s recipe is not only free from unhealthy fats, it also contains a good amount of magnesium and potassium (found in the broccoli and the walnuts), both which have been found to lower blood pressure and reduce heart palpitations.

Walnut Pesto Broccoli

• 2 heads broccoli, chopped into small bite-sized pieces
• 2 cups, firmly packed basil
• 1 1/2 cups walnuts
• 1/2 to 1 cup olive oil (depending on desired consistency)
• 1-2 Tabelspoons lemon juice (to taste)
• 1 tiny clove fresh garlic
• 2 teaspoons quality salt (or more, to taste)

Directions:
Remove the tough outer peel from the broccoli stalks. Chop broccoli into small, bite-sized pieces. Put aside in a large bowl.
In a food processor, place basil, walnuts, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and salt. Process until you create a nice pesto sauce, adding more oil to achieve the consistency you prefer.
Massage pesto sauce into broccoli pieces and set aside for a while, allowing the broccoli to soften a bit.
Enjoy!

Remember, the stronger your heart is, the sharper your mind is going to be! So, be sure to limit unhealthy fats and meats while also increasing fresh vegetables, nuts, and fruits  (particularly those loaded with magnesium and potassium) in your diet. Also, remember to come back tomorrow for more tips and a new recipe to help keep you fresh and mentally focused.

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Photo by Ross Castrow on Flickr (Creative Commons).

Let’s stay sharp by learning about brain power! Did you know that the less exercise your brain receives through reading, learning new things (like you do here on our blog!), playing games, and contemplating puzzles the more it is likely to become weak and not serve you well into your centenarian years? Scientists have been trying to figure out ways to improve the brain’s function and have learned a lot, but are still uncertain what causes Alzheimer’s Disease, or any other form of Dementia.

If you’ve ever known someone who suffers with a loss of mental capabilities, you know how sad and sometimes scary that can be. Last week, Jim posted a blog that touched a bit on the subject of Alzheimer’s Disease. He wrote in that article, “I want better than just a small chance that I’ll live healthfully for a full lifespan. I want to stack the aging deck in my favor.”  Eating a healthy, raw food diet is something Jim was hoping to use in order to stack the deck in his favor of a life free of memory loss and full of vibrant health.

But, can one really keep a sharp intellect just by consuming a raw food diet? Scientists are still not 100% clear on what causes some brains to begin shriveling up (literally), losing memories and ultimately losing the ability to function enough for basic human survival, while other brains remain plump and healthy. In some studies, those following a Mediterranean Diet (rich in fresh fruits and vegetables) seemed to have less incidences of dementia, but the studies weren’t strong enough to definitely link diet and mental health as a preventative for memory loss.

One thing that seems to be widely accepted about the disease, however, is the link between heart health and the association with a higher risk of developing mental loss. Those with high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, and also individuals who smoke (which affects the heart), have a greater chance of developing Alzheimer’s than those who have healthier hearts. For this reason alone, one can easily see how a raw food diet, rich in heart-healthy nutrients, may in fact aid one in keeping a sharp intellect. As for the smoking, everyone knows how unhealthy smoking is for the body (and for the bodies of others who are subjected to the secondhand smoke).

In my studies, something that seemed pretty clear to me is that the brain is suffering from inflammation, as well as dehydration. The inflammation seems to be causing plaque buildup, which further interferes with the brain’s proper functioning. This all points even more in the direction of following a diet that is not only water-rich, but also one that is a natural anti-inflammatory. If you’ve been reading our blog for long, you’ll already know that the raw food diet is an excellent way to eliminate inflammation in the body.

Over the next few days I’ll be sharing recipes that are not only heart-healthy, but also anti-inflammatory. Consuming these foods will help you, as well as Jim, stack the deck in your favor for a sharp intellect well into your centenarian years. I’ll also be sharing some other sharp-witted ways to keep your mind flexible and strong. Keep reading our blog every weekday, since reading and learning keep the mind young and active. So, if you can remember to do so , check back all this week for tips and tricks on staying sharp!