New Memory, Focus and Clarity:Can Green Tea Help Your Brain?

Leaf Image-Neuron Forest

You probably already heard “eat your vegetables” but today there is a new dietary mantra for improving memory, focus, cognition and  preventing or even reversing some of the effects of Alzheimer’s.

“Drink Green Tea”

Over 70 international studies now document the benefits of green tea, not only for memory and brain related diseases but also for cardiovascular disease, insulin resistance, obesity, cancer and auto immune disease. 1

36 million people around the world have Alzheimers. 1 out of every 3 seniors  is believed to have some form of Alzheimers or demential related illness. 2

Using sophisticate brain scans researchers  have been able to observe and document remarkable  memory and brain benefits from green tea. More studies are underway because it is now clear there is great potential for green tea to help  those with Alzheimer’s, dementia, Parkison’s and other diseases of the brain. It also can improve a normal adult’s memory and ability to perform mental tasks.

The cortex creates our thoughts, feelings and memories

A wrinkled layer of nerve tissue called the cortex  covers most of the brain. The nerve tissue of the cortex is what allows us to think, reason, learn and remember. This is the area most affected by Alzheimer’s disease, dementia and other neurodegenerative brain diseases like Parkinson’s, MS and ADEM.3

Billions of nerve cells or neurons reside in the cortex and they communicate with one another by sending nerve impulse signals along their nerve pathways.  Healthy nerve cells in the brain are densely clustered and look like tree branches in a forest with the tips of the leaves on each branch reaching out to one another.

The nerve impulses carry a slight electrical charge which allows them to jump from one nerve cell to another. As they cross the gaps or synapses between each nerve cell neurotransmitters or brain chemicals help move the signals along.

Inside each neuron a very well organized internal structure made of Tau protein allows proper nutrients to move easily within the nerve cells to keep them alive.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) produces a chain reaction 
of  nerve cell distortion and death

Protein that was once normal undergoes enzymatic changes. A sticky plaque like protein called beta amyloid breaks the nerve cells apart and makes the pieces stick together. The electrical charges that allow the nerve impulses to travel simply can’t make it through the sticky plaque. Neurotransmitters can no longer be produced and the neurons are destroyed.

The tau protein which maintains the interior structure of the neurons also changes. It gets tangled up, disintegrates so vital nutrients can no longer nourish and keep the neurons alive.

As these nerve cells begin to die-the brain actually becomes smaller. Inflammation develops in the affected areas. The cortex shrinks and hardens  while  fluid filled areas of the brain called ventricles enlarge.

AD takes away memory of loved ones, destroys the ability to communicate or even take care of one’s self.  Memory, thoughts, the ability to plan and understands things are gone. 3

ECGC in green tea reduces damage to the nerve cells and guards against the development of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia 4

A powerful antioxidant in green tea is epigallocatechion-3-gallate or EGCG. It is the EGCG which is the powerhouse nutrient of green tea.

EGCG appears to both dissolve the sticky plaque in the brain and regulate the naturally occurring enzymes in the brain. This allows the toxic byproducts of the beta amyloid plaque to be neutralized. 5

As this occurs the brain cells can respond to the neurotransmitters and the brains ability to think and remember can be restored and protected.

ECGC in green tea stimulates the production of 
new nerve cells in the brain:

In an aging, inflamed and diseased brain it can be very difficult to grow new nerve cells. ECGC also stimulates the growth of new neurons in the same areas that Alzheimer’s causes nerve cell death. 6

Tea Plant-Camellia Sinensis

How much green tea do we need to drink?


Two cups of green tea can boost memory ability in the brain and reduce cognitive decline by 54%. Partially roasted green tea-oolong  and black tea (fully roasted) bring more limited improvement of 13%.6

You can also use a daily dose of 750 mgs of green tea extract. Fortunately, the caffeine in tea has nothing to do with these benefits so decaffeinated tea or extract from green tea brings the same benefits. 6

If your memory, focus or ability to think clearly are not as sharp as you would like….think about drinking a few cups of green tea on a regular basis.


References: 
1.Green Tea and Obesity, Green Tea-Cardiovascular Disease and Cancer
2.World Report on Alzheimer's 2013
3.Take A Tour of the Brain
4.Neurological Mechanisms of Green Tea in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Disease
5.Antiamyloidal Properties of ECGC
6.Neuro Effects of Green Tea Extract on Brain Activation in Humans


I enjoy hearing about your adventures in healing so let me know how you are doing.

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#a world that works for everyone

3 Ways to Make Yourself Feel Instantly Better

Ever have a time when you feel tired, run down, unenthusiastic or notice that your mood or energy is low?  Here are three simple low cost steps you can take to bring your mood up, and instantly feel better.


1.    Stand up, Breathe and Smile

Step away from your computer or whatever it is  you are doing. Stand up straight. Take a few deep breaths . Imagine that you are feeling vibrant, creative, receptive, positive and energetic. Breathe those feelings into your chest hold your arms out as if you are receiving them like a big gift and smile.

Allowing yourself to feel like you would like to feel-changing your posture, and smiling all instantly affect the brain and bring on positive happy moods. Frowning and forgetting to breathe deeply actually produces negative emotions. Smiling, stretching out your arms and allowing yourself to feel open and receptive produces happy feelings.

If you find it hard to smile- look at yourself in a mirror and see the changes in your face as your eyes light up. Even smiling when you are alone is a quick mood enhancer.


2.    Inhale the fragrance of essential oils

Apply 1-2 drops of an essential oil to the palms of your hands rub them together and then inhale this lovely fragrance.  The scent from these oils made from the leaves, roots, flowers and bark of plants sends a signal to our  endocrine & cardiovascular systems and the brain to let go of stress, rebalance and produce feelings of calm relaxation and vibrancy.  Lemon, lavender and rosemary oil work very well to change your mood and uplift your senses. Keep a small bottle in your desk and try this when you get bogged down.
         

3.    Drink a Cup of Green Tea

Green tea is a natural drink with less caffeine than coffee. It has a remarkable ability to help the liver by neutralizing toxins and the effects of environmental chemicals on the body. It restores the brain cells and enhances metabolism and the immune response. Taking a break with a cup brings powerful healing to the body while it gently restores the brain and enhances the immune response.  It’s active ingredient EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate) is 200 times stronger than vitamin C.

If you are not used to doing things like this it might feel awkard  to take a smile, scent, tea break in the  middle of a busy day especially if you are feeling low….. Give it a try- just a few minutes with these steps can make a difference for you!




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