Watching Dr Oz 5/31/12: The Memory Cure, Superfoods for Memory, Lisa Oz Home Remedies, The Baby Whisperer, Healing Powers in Household Items

The Dr. Oz Show

Airdate: May 31, 2012

The Memory Cure: The Miracle Plan to Help Prevent Alzheimer's

• 6 steps to prevent Alzheimer's disease
• Superfoods to support brain power
• Lisa Oz shares the powerful home remedies she uses on her family, including her husband Dr. Oz
• Harvey Karp, the baby whisperer shares how to get infants and toddlers to sleep
• Common household items with healing powers

Do you forget your keys, a friend's name, or appointments? These little things can make us wonder if it's just a momentary lapse or could it be the beginnings of Alzheimer's? Dr. Oz has a plan to strengthen the memory, increase the size of the brain, and even reduce the risks of developing Alzheimer's disease.

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Dr Oz The Memory Cure: The Miracle Plan to Help Prevent Alzheimer's

Dr. Majid Fotuhi, neurologist and author of The Memory Cure, says memory loss can be prevented and the solutions are at our fingertips. Dr. Fotuhi saw his father-in-law go through dementia and decided to work toward ways to strengthen the memory. For the first time, Dr. Fotuhi says, there is data to prove that the memory can be maintained and even grown.

The key to memory health and brain power is the size of the brain, yes, size matters. Dr. Fotuhi explains that the brain shrinks with age but that shrinkage is treatable and reversible. Smaller brains are associated with a higher risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease.

To grow the brain no surgery is needed, no drugs it all comes down to lifestyle changes. Dr. Fotuhi says for the first time there is evidence that we can increase the size of our brains and protect it from disease even if there is a family history.

Dr. Fotuhi says the most important part of the brain when it comes to memory is the hippocampus. There is a hippocampus on each side of the brain and here is where the size of the brain matters. Those with a big hippocampus do not develop Alzheimer's, says Dr. Fotuhi. When the hippocampus gets larger it becomes a game changer. If we're going to live longer, we need to have a strong memory to go with it.

Dr. Oz Brain Booster #1: DHA

This component of the essential fatty acid omega-3, called DHA, increases blood flow, decreases inflammation, reduces plaques in the brain. Dr. Fotuhi recommends taking 600mg of DHA daily for at least six months to build memory and support the brain so it functions as if it were three years younger.

Dr. Oz says DHA is the most important supplement ever discussed on The Dr. Oz Show. If he had the choice of taking only one supplement, DHA would be the one.

Dr. Oz Brain Booster #2: Brain Stimulating Switch-Ups

The age-old term use it or lose it is more relevant to the brain muscles the muscles of the body. Dr. Fotuhi says he tangos with his wife to stimulate his brain. There are many simple ways to switch-up activities to build brain power:

• Put your watch on the opposite wrist
• Use opposite hand to brush your teeth and fixing hair
• Use other hand to eat
• Write backwards

Dr. Oz Brain Booster #3: 7-7-7 Stress-Busting Breathing

Stress is poison to the brain specifically the hippocampus, the part of brain responsible for memory, which is highly sensitive to the hormone cortisol produced when we are under stress. People with high levels of anxiety, stress, experience apnea, snoring, are over-weight, suffer from diabetes or hypertension all have high levels of cortisol which can wreck havoc on the memory.

Drs. Oz and Fotuhi brought out two brain tissue samples, one of a healthy brain and the other suffered from dementia. In the dementia brain, large gaps were visible as deep crevices all over the brain and the over all size was vastly smaller than the healthy brain. Dr. Fotuhi stated the size of the brain can shrink 20-30% due to the effects of stress.

Reducing stress protects memory. Three times a day, take a moment to reduce stress with stress-busting breathing. Breathe in for a count of 7, hold for a count of 7, then exhale for a count of 7. Do this for seven breaths to calm the nerves. Studies show that after doing stress reducing exercises for 8 weeks the size of the hippocampus can increase.

Dr. Oz Brain Booster #4: Tease Your Memory

Dr. Fotuhi recommends to do activities that stretch brain abilities. No matter what you think about the strength of your memory, we have the ability to remember anything we want as long as we put our minds to in the right way.

Everyone can remember a list of 20-30 items if they can make word associations between the words. Dr. Fotuhi says to start with four items on a grocery list - milk, egg, hamburger, apple - and make an associate between them. Think of filling an egg with milk then smash the egg with an apple creating a mess that is wiped up with the hamburger meat.

An audience member who said they couldn't remember anything was given list of 20 items the day before and using Dr. Fotuhi's word association technique she was able to remember the entire list: milk, eggs, apples, hamburger, corn, grapes, pineapple, chicken, sugar, mayonnaise, pickles, salt, hot dogs, pretzels, ketchup, oatmeal, tomatoes, limes, toilet, paper, and trash bags.

Dr. Oz Brain Booster #5: Brain Push-Ups

Increasing your physical stamina and strength increases growth factors and can actually generate new brain cells. Dr. Oz explained that when he was in medical school, it was thought that generating new brain cells was not possible but that has changed recently. Building brain cells doesn't require operations or taking drugs it's as simple as remembering lists, telling stories, and writing backwards.

Dr. Fotuhi says by doing seven or more push-ups a day you can improve blood flow to the brain which supports brain function and memory.

Dr. Oz Superfoods to Save Memory – Step 6

Dr. Oz's brain booster number 6 is superfoods. He says these tips are not just for people in their 50's but also for people in their 20's and 30's to keep the brain sharp.

Diet is extremely important when it comes to brain health says Dr. Fotuhi. The keys to a super memory from superfoods is how much you eat and what you eat. A big belly and weight gain causes the brain to shrink.

Dr. Oz Brain Superfood #1: Elderberries

We know berries are good for brain but elderberries specifically contain quercetin, a flavonoid critical to brain health, that generates energy for mitochondria in the brain.

[Elderberries can be hard to find in their whole berry form. Natural food stores may have them fresh or dried. Another option is elderberry juice - I think it tastes like grape juice.]

Dr. Oz Brain Superfood #2: Pecans

Dr. Fotuhi says pecans have choline which are good for the memory. [From DoctorOz.com: Pecans are high in omega-3 essential fatty acids, the highest amount of antioxidant of any tree nut...Recent studies have shown that eating pecans can play a role in reducing the risks of neural degeneration.

Dr. Oz Brain Superfood #3: Chicken Giblets or Clams

This tip is unusual and it's a food that we've moved away from: organ meats. Most of us throw them in the trash, the neck, kidneys, gizzard, heart and liver that come with a whole chicken but we're throwing away a lot of nutrients. Giblets contain B12, a nutrient essential for brain health. Those with low levels of B12 have a small hippocampus. Liver is particularly good for you and can be enjoyed simmered in a stew.

If you can't bring yourself to eat giblets, clams also contain high amounts of B12 as well as high amounts of iron and zinc effective in improving cell to cell communication. When cells talk to each other they grow bigger.

Supplemental Vitamin B12 is another good way to get the nutrient. B12 is the number one deficiency in vegetarians, says Dr. Oz, and it's important to supplement.

Dr. Oz Brain Superfood #4: Vegetable Juice

Dr. Fotuhi says vegetable juice is a gold mine with all known vitamins and many not yet discovered. He says to drink vegetable juice and forget about soda but keep the serving down to no more than 8 ounces a vegetable juice a day.

Dr. Oz Brain Superfood #5: Beets

Make beets the right way and they taste great. Dr. Fotuhi eats beets 2-3 times a week to support brain healthy. Natural nitrates found in beets, as well as radishes and cabbage, can play a role in enhancing blood flow to the brain and support mental performance. So much of the brain is made up of blood vessels. Supporting the health of these blood vessels can lead to keeping the brain sharp and young. Juice beets or simmer them. Dr. Oz says the best thing about beets is you can see when they come out so you can tell how long it took to digest them.

Click here to take Dr. Oz's Memory Quiz on DoctorOz.com.

Dr. Oz Alternatives for Feeling Younger

Dr. Oz calls these recommendations game-changers in the world of anti-aging.

Dr. Brenda Powell, center for integrative medicine at the Cleveland Clinic, has a passion for natural remedies that can help you feel healthy, well, and young again. The Cleveland Clinic takes cutting edge ideas and are using them to help people balance health and wellness.

Dr. Oz Alternative Secrets to Aging #1: Royal Jelly

We need the sun but a side-effect of sun exposure is premature aging to the skin causing wrinkles, skin changes, and increased risks of skin cancer. Royal jelly is the food given to the queen bee in the hive and other specially selected bees competing to be the next queen and it's full of amino acids, vitamins, and antioxidants. Dr. Powell recommends taking ¼ teaspoon, or 500mg once daily, of royal jelly and dissolve it under the tongue.

Now Foods Royal Jelly 1000mg 60 Gels
from: Best Price Nutrition

Dr. Oz Alternative Secrets to Aging #2: Broccoli Sprouts

To help slow the aging process and reduce the risks of cancer, Dr. Powell recommends eating 2 tablespoons daily of broccoli sprouts on a salad or on a sandwich.

Dr. Oz Alternative Secrets to Aging #3: Grape Seed Extract

Eating the grape seed is associated with lower blood pressure levels and a reduction in risks for stroke and heart attack. Dr. Powell recommends supplementing with 150-300g daily of grape seed extract. Dr. Oz explains that high blood pressure is the number aging factor we face.

Dr. Oz Alternative Secrets to Aging #4: Dry Brushing

This secret shocked Dr. Oz. Dr. Powell says this is a newer idea in the world of anti-aging products and one that she's excited about to help people feel and look younger. Dry brushing with a natural bristle brush can help to detox and rejuvenate the body. Use the brush before showering to remove dead skin cells and get the lymph system moving back to the heart for cleansing. Start at the fingertips or toes and move toward the heart in gentle, circular motions. Dr. Powell says that dry brushing twice a week can make the skin glow, help you feel great, and support the heart in removing toxins from the body. If you have a rash, she says, don't use the brush on that area of the skin.

Dr. Oz: Lisa Oz's Most Powerful Home Remedies

Lisa Oz, Dr. Oz's wife, shares her most powerful home remedies that she uses on her own family. Dr. and Mrs. Oz met while he was in medical school and he held a conventional view of health. Mrs. Oz's family, on the other side, had a holistic and natural approach and that's where she started learning about home remedies.

Lisa Oz Home Remedy #1: Peppermint Oil for Headaches

Mrs. Oz massages peppermint oil on the temples when someone has a headache. She first used it on her first born Daphne. Peppermint oil helps to relax the muscles and reduce pain, she explained.

Lisa Oz Home Remedy #2: Bach Rescue Remedy for Stress

Bach Rescue Remedy has been Mrs. Oz's go-to remedy for years starting with her daughter Arabelle when she would have a tantrum. Both mom and kid were given Bach Rescue Remedy during the tantrum. Mrs. Oz explains that Bach Rescue Remedy helps to calm the nerves and takes the edge off stress to support performance.

Lisa Oz Home Remedy #3: Epsom Salts for Sore Muscles

Zoe is the sport in the Oz family and often experiences sore muscles. Magnesium in Epsom salts helps to relax the muscles. Mrs. Oz says she pours the whole container of Epsom salts in a bath for Zoe to ease the muscles.

Lisa Oz Home Remedy #4: Honey for Cuts and Scrapes

The Oz's son Oliver is the rough and tumble one who was always getting cuts and scrapes. Mrs. Oz says honey is great but you have to make sure with kids that they don't lick off the honey. She recommends getting unpasteurized honey from the health food store so the natural antimicrobial properties are still in the honey.

Lisa Oz Home Remedy #5: Lavender Oil for Burns

Mrs. Oz likes to use lavender oil when anyone in the house gets a burn. She showed a burn she received four days ago from a wayward curling iron – it wasn't a hickie she insisted – that had dramatically reduced in size because, she said, of the application of lavender oil. She likes to reapply the lavender oil four times daily for a burn to reduce pain and reduce the chances of scarring.

Lisa Oz Home Remedy #5: Fennel Seeds for Gas

Mrs. Oz says that Dr. Oz is a gassy guy so she keeps fennel seeds around to reduce the gas. They discovered it at an Indian restaurant who would give out a handful after a meal. Fennel seeds taste like licorice and can be eaten straight or steeped in hot water for a tea.

Dr. Oz – The Baby Whisperer's Guide to Infant Sleep

Sleepless nights for baby means sleepless nights for parents and that could have damaging health effects.

Harvey Karp, MD, pediatrician and author of The Happiest Baby On The Block, says his sleep whisperer tip are not just for newborns, half of toddlers have sleep issues too not to mention parents. Sleep issues can become a serious medical issue from obesity, more car accidents, and depression as well as marital problems.

Dr. Oz Infant Sleep Tip #1: Swaddling

Placing baby in a snug wrapping with the arms down can help a baby calm and get to sleep easier. Dr. Karp said it's called the down up, down up technique. Be careful that the baby does not overheat, sweating and red skin is a sign of overheating. Dr. Karp says just a blanket alone may be enough for comfort. The blanket is wrapped snug around the arms while the hips are left loose. [Learn how to swaddle correctly from Dr. Karp's DVD.]

Dr. Oz Infant Sleep Tip #2: White Noise

Dr. Karp explained that the sound in womb is louder than a vacuum cleaner. He used a long, deep shhhh, bringing it down to an even lower pitch to help calm the baby. This tip can helps babies through teething and growth spurts too and it can helps with internal chatter.

Dr. Oz Infant Sleep Tip #3: Sleep Help for the Toddler

For busy toddlers who don't want to sleep, Dr. Karp says it's important to practice sleeping at night during the day. He says bedtime preparation should start after breakfast to help give children confidenct through a beddy-bye book. Reading the beddy-bye book during the day lays the foundation for and help kids to understand the nighttime routine of brushing teeth, pajamas, bedtime story.

Dr. Oz Bonus Tips! Household Items with Healing Powers

Dr. Oz Healing Household Item #1: Mouthwash for Itchy Scalp

Dr. Oz recommends using Listerine mouth wash containing menthol and alcohol to help sooth and stop itching and flaking on the scalp. After shampooing the hair, mix a capful of Listerine with 1 teaspoon of baby oil and massage into the scalp.

Dr. Oz Healing Household Item #2: Milk for Sunburn

Dr. Oz recommends wearing sunscreen of at least SPF 30 when going outside but if you happen to get a sunburn he says whole milk can help. Treat sunburn by applying a towel soaked in whole milk. The lactic acid and fat in the whole milk can reduce swelling and sooth the skin. Make sure the milk is cold and leave the towel on for 20 minutes. Apply every couple of hours as needed.

Dr. Oz Healing Household Item #3: Vick's Vaporub for Splinters

Dr. Oz recommends applying Vick's Vaporub topically to a splint to ease pain while the body eases the splinter out.

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