Cognition

Vitamin B12, a part of the essential B-complex, is necessary for our bodies to create and repair DNA, red blood cells and nerves, as well as a whole host of other functions. New research out of Ireland illuminates the worrying magnitude of vitamin B12 deficiency among older populations. Over the Age of 50? You’re More at Risk for B12 Deficiency...

People who give in to their cravings are often seen as lacking willpower, with the inability to easily tame impulses commonly viewed as a character flaw, but this line of thinking assumes we all have the same ability to exercise self-control, and according to new research, that may not be the case. The results of a new study published in The...

According to new data from the Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown (CCU) and University College London (UCL), the neurotransmitter serotonin plays a vital role in the learning process, helping to speed learning. Researchers believe this explains why selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants are more effective when combined with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Their findings were recently published in the...

In the United States alone, over 16 million people live with some form of cognitive impairment. While age is the greatest risk factor, with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia being the leading causes, cognitive decline bears no limitation to any specific demographic. Conditions such as brain injury, depression, PTSD, schizophrenia and stroke are all known to be accompanied by signs of...

Resveratrol is powerful phytoalexin, a group of naturally occurring antimicrobial and antioxidant compounds produced by plants, that can be found in red wine, raw cacao, pistachios, peanuts, and dark berries such as red grapes, blueberries and muscadines. Like other antioxidants, resveratrol can help the body to fight and repair cellular damage. Research over the past decade has indicated that resveratrol...

A lot has been written lately about the health benefits of curcumin. Although many people enjoy this spice for its distinctive flavor, it appears to have even more to offer. In fact, it appears to have a variety of positive effects on health. According to several studies on curcumin and the benefits to the brain, it may even help to...

One of the most common parenting struggles occurs at the kitchen table. While most parents want their children to eat a healthy variety of foods, many children are picky eaters who make this a challenge. Introducing a variety of healthy foods is both time-consuming and expensive for many families. However, research suggests that nutrition is essential to both physical and...

Cognitive function is a term that refers to a large collection of mental functions, including but not limited to attention, concentration, language use, learning new information, memory, processing thoughts and reading comprehension. The strength of your cognitive function abilities is directly related to your brain health. Cognitive ability is also linked to aging—it is normal to experience a certain amount of...

A stroke is a serious medical condition caused by poor blood flow to the brain that often results in cell death. At least 80 percent of all cases of stroke are the ischemic type of stroke. In an ischemic stroke, an artery to the vein is blocked, preventing brain tissue from receiving oxygen and nutrients. However, approximately 13 percent of...

A seizure is an event that happens because of a sudden electrical abnormality in the brain. There are many different types of seizures. Seizures that affect just one region of the brain are known as focal seizures, while seizures that affect both sides of the brain are called generalized seizures. Even within these categories, there is more specificity. For example, there...