Cognition

Tryptophan, a compound found in turkey, is often erroneously blamed for that sleepy feeling you get after eating a big Thanksgiving meal. It may surprise you to learn that while tryptophan does start off a chain of reactions that results in the release of melatonin, the "sleep hormone," there is actually less tryptophan in turkey than in many other commonly...

As people age, it's normal to experience a natural decline in cognitive ability. This is why seniors can tend to be more forgetful, less patient and exhibit a decline in critical thinking abilities. However, some seniors experience more severe cognitive degeneration as a result of a condition known as dementia. Dementia involves a more rapid decline of mental functioning that...

Supplementing with omega-3 fatty acids is one of the most salient health trends of the past decade. Physicians are increasingly recommending these oily supplements for a variety of purposes, from helping to maintain healthy cholesterol levels within normal ranges to combating the physical effects of aging. But when is the best time to take omega-3 supplements? Most people who take...

Chronic pain is one of the greatest medical challenges of our times. Pain disorders are becoming increasingly common, yet we have few remedies -- particularly in cases where we cannot identify the cause of the pain. Although pain killers can help for a short time, these medications are addictive and can have negative or even deadly side effects. According to...

A new study from John Hopkins University School of Medicine suggests that Parkinson's starts in the gut. These recent findings further support the theory that the gut microbiome strongly influences brain health. Study Finds That Parkinson's Starts in the Gut Research conducted recently at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine sought to confirm the theory that Parkinson's disease first develops...

Dementia is a condition that involves memory loss, but also impacts one's overall thinking and ability to function in social situations. According to a new study, certain prescription drugs increase dementia risk. This alarming discovery suggests that senior health may be adversely affected by the frequent use of these common medications. What are the Symptoms of Dementia? When people hear...

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability that affects one's ability to communicate effectively and/or interact with others. Symptoms of ASD typically appear in childhood and may vary in severity from person to person, thus it is often considered a "spectrum" disorder.  A new study has uncovered a link between gut bacteria and autism, suggesting that taking a probiotic...

There are 21 million Americans suffering from schizophrenia; most of those people don't get the treatment they need. Those that do seek treatment are prescribed anti-psychotic drugs that treat the symptoms of the illness, but produce severe side effects, such as cardiovascular problems and "the shakes," or body tremors. This has caused researchers to look for alternative treatments for schizophrenia...

A lot has been written recently about the benefits of a plant-based diet. Although there are indisputable benefits to a primarily vegetarian diet, there is equally compelling evidence that animal fat in moderate amounts is actually necessary for good health. According to several new studies, your body needs animal fat to perform many of its essential functions. Is Animal Fat...

Exciting new research findings link tea and cognitive decline, suggesting that the regular consumption of green tea may help protect against illnesses like dementia and Parkinson's disease. In order to fully understand how green tea has been found to benefit mental functioning, it's first important to understand cognitive decline. Cognitive decline describes a process whereby thoughts become more difficult to...