“Citric Element” Whips Your Brain into Shape!
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted June 5, 2022
Dear Living Well Daily Reader,
Some suggest pretty complicated ways to keep your brain healthy as you age.
Going back to college… doing complicated puzzles… taking what feels like 30 bottles of pills a day…
It can make you feel like giving up before you’ve even started!
But what if there was something MUCH easier you could do instead?
Now there is!
It starts with giving your brain and nerve cells something they desperately need.
Researchers have found that increasing this “citric element” could whip your brain into shape.
I’m talking about vitamin C.
While just about everyone knows how important vitamin C is for your immune system, most don’t know just how important it is for the rest of our bodies.
Vitamin C helps to build bones, absorb iron, maintain cartilage, and speed wound healing.
But vitamin C also plays a crucial role in our brain health. See, our nerve cells suck up a lot of vitamin C because they need the vitamin for proper functioning.
And now, a new study, published in the journal Antioxidants, reminds us how important vitamin C is for our nervous system.
Many studies have shown that not getting enough vitamin C can lead to depression, confusion, and cognitive impairment.
The researchers tested this theory by first administering a test called the Mini-Mental-State-Examination (MMSE). If the volunteers scored less than 24 on the test, they were classified as cognitively impaired.
The researchers also tested the volunteer’s blood to check vitamin C levels, classifying folks as vitamin C deficient if their levels were below 11 micromol/L.
After they reviewed the data, the research team found a strong relationship between low vitamin C and cognitive impairment. In fact, people with low vitamin C were 2.9 times more likely to have problems thinking clearly than those who had healthy vitamin C levels.
Humans are one of only a few mammals who cannot make their own vitamin C— that means you have to get it either through your diet or by supplementing.
The scientists pointed out that, unfortunately, there aren’t clear-cut signs as to whether or not you have healthy vitamin C levels. In fact, the blood serum test was the only way they found out volunteers were deficient.
That’s because the usual symptoms of low vitamin C (such as easy bruising and bleeding gums) can be caused by drugs or other conditions many seniors already have.
The good news is vitamin C is an easy, and affordable, supplement to take. I suggest starting with at least 500mg a day to ensure your brain and nerves are getting enough.
P.S. Did you know that vitamin C could fight back against breast cancer as well? Click here for everything you need to know.
SOURCE:
Masterson, Danielle. “Low vitamin C linked to cognitive impairment in older adults.” 3/22/2022. https://www.nutraingredients-usa.com/Article/2022/03/22/low-vitamin-c-linked-to-cognitive-impairment-in-older-adults?utm_source=newsletter_daily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=22-Mar-2022&cid=DM998239&bid=1882915353
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
View More Free Articles
A New Reason to Ditch Processed Junk
If you’ve ever walked the inside aisles of your local grocery store and thought, “This is all just junk,” your instincts were spot on. A new study published in the journal Thorax just added another red flag to the list of dangers linked to ultra-processed food—a 41 percent higher risk of lung cancer. That’s right....
When Being Winded on Stairs Is Serious (And When It Isn’t)
I had an athlete visit me recently because he experienced shortness of breath while climbing stairs. He is in great shape, so he was worried about what it might mean. “Doc,” he said, “I run five miles three times a week. Why am I huffing and puffing after two flights of stairs?” His concern is...
Study EXPOSES Hidden Danger Lurking in Your Car
We think of our homes and cars as safe havens. But according to a startling new study, they may be flooding your lungs with microscopic plastic particles—every single day. Researchers in France recently found that adults inhale an average of 68,000 microplastic particles daily from indoor air alone. To put that in perspective, that’s about...
Mailbag: Is Modern Food Making You Snore?
“What can cause snoring, and is there a way to correct this issue?” —Seeking Silence Hi Seeking, Snoring happens when the soft tissues in your throat relax and vibrate as air passes through during sleep. While several factors can cause snoring—from sleep position to nasal congestion—I want to share one trigger that might surprise you....
Simple Food Swap SLASHES Dementia Risk 28%
Let’s be honest… who would jump at the chance to cut their dementia risk by 28 percent. And no, you don’t need to run marathons, survive on broccoli, or learn to play the zither (whatever that is) to make it happen. All it takes is one easy swap—something that’s probably already in your refrigerator. Researchers...
This SMART Floss Exposes Hidden Health Danger
Scientists have created dental floss that doesn’t just clean between your teeth—it also tracks your stress while you’re flossing. Now, I know what you’re thinking… “Great—now even flossing is going to stress me out by telling me how stressed I am.” But this fascinating new tool from Tufts University could be a game-changer for understanding...
Is This "Safe" Sweetener Damaging Your Brain?
The headlines are alarming… “Popular Sugar Substitute Linked to Brain Cell Damage” and “Erythritol Could Damage Critical Brain Barrier” are just two of the dozens I’ve spotted recently. But before you toss every sugar-free product in your pantry, let’s take a closer look at what this study actually shows—and what it doesn’t. The latest research...
This Summer Threat Could SPIKE Your Blood Sugar
Picture this… It’s another scorching hot summer day. You crank up the air conditioning while watching the weather forecast, which predicts yet another “record-breaking” heat wave. It’s starting to feel like just another miserably uncomfortable summer. But what you might not realize is that—if you have diabetes—those rising temps could do far more damage to...
Move Over Yogurt—5 Foods That Pack MORE Probiotics
Let’s talk about your gut. The microbiome is the collection of trillions of bacteria and other tiny organisms that live in and on your body—especially in your gut—and help keep you healthy. I’ve written often about how vital it is to maintain a healthy microbiome. And you might have dutifully added yogurt to your shopping...
Is Your Heart Older Than YOU?
Maybe you feel young for your age. Good energy, decent sleep, eating your veggies. But what if I told you your heart might be a decade older than the rest of you? That’s exactly what researchers at Northwestern University found in a new study published in JAMA Cardiology. The average American woman’s heart is about...