44 THE QUEENS COURIER • WELLNESS • MARCH 21, 2019 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM
wellness
Nicotine to Help Treat Memory Loss?
A study funded by the National
Institutes of Health is testing whether
the nicotine patch can improve memory
and functioning in people who have
mild memory loss or Mild Cognitive
Impairment (MCI).
Th e largest and longest running
study of its kind, the MIND (Memory
Improvement through Nicotine Dosing)
Study is looking for 300 volunteers at sites
across the United States who have mild
memory loss but are otherwise healthy,
non-smokers over the age of 55.
“Th e MIND Study will provide valuable
information for researchers with
regard to early memory loss that is associated
with normal aging and early
Alzheimer’s disease, but we need volunteers
if we are going to succeed,”
said Dr. Paul Newhouse, MD, director
of the Vanderbilt Center for Cognitive
Medicine and lead investigator for the
MIND Study.
According to the Alzheimer’s
Association, approximately one in fi ve
people age 65 or older have mild memory
loss or MCI and are more likely to develop
Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias.
Currently, there is no FDA-approved
medication indicated to treat this condition;
however, nicotine stimulates an
area in the brain known to be important
for thinking and memory, and scientists
believe it could be an eff ective treatment
for adults with MCI.
“People oft en think nicotine is addictive
and harmful because it is in tobacco
products, but it’s safe when used in
patch form,” Newhouse said. “Nicotine
is an inexpensive, readily available treatment
that could have signifi cant benefi
ts for people experiencing mild memory
impairment.”
Th e MIND Study needs 300 people to
enroll in sites across the United States.
Researchers are looking for healthy,
non-smoking adults over the age of 55
who are in the earliest stages of memory
loss to participate in the MIND Study.
You, or a loved one, may be eligible to
participate if you have been diagnosed
with MCI or if you or your family members
notice changes in your memory:
• Are you or a loved one having diffi culty
remembering recent events?
• Have you noticed changes in your
memory or your loved one’s memory?
• Is your memory as good as it was two
years ago?
• If you asked someone close to you
about your memory, what would he or
she say?
Potential study volunteers can learn
more by visiting MINDStudy.org or calling
1-866-MIND-150.
Courtesy Family Features
7 tips to eat your way to thicker, fuller hair
Did you know that what you eat aff ects
your hair? Th at’s news to most people,
especially those who are dealing with
hair loss. While there are many possible
causes for hair loss - stress, the environment,
health problems - achieving thick,
full and healthy hair ultimately starts
with your diet. Th at’s because the nutrients
you get from food and supplements
provide the building blocks for your hair
growth.
Research shows that certain nutrients,
including iron, zinc, B vitamins, vitamin
C and omega-3s are essential to
healthy-growing hair, while lack of these
nutrients and certain infl ammatory foods
can lead to hair loss and slower-growing
hair.
Integrative Nutrition Health Coach
Maria Marlowe has partnered with
NIOXIN, the No. 1 globally selling salon
brand for thicker, fuller-looking hair, to
spread the word about how nutrition contributes
to achieving a beautiful mane.
Here are her best tips about what to eat
- and what to avoid - for optimal hair
health.
WHAT TO CONSUME:
Iron
Iron helps boost circulation and carries
oxygen to your hair’s roots, which
helps the hair grow faster and longer. An
iron defi ciency can lead to hair loss. Some
good sources of iron include clams, beans,
lentils, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, oysters,
grass-fed beef and bison.
Zinc
Zinc is involved in hair growth and
keeps the oil glands around the hair shaft
working properly. If you have dandruff ,
slow-growing hair or hair loss, low levels
of zinc might be the culprit. To ensure
you have enough in your diet, try oysters,
white beans, chickpeas, red kidney beans,
black beans, lentils and seeds.
B vitamins
Biotin is the most well-known B vitamin
that helps keep the hair thick and
healthy. A defi ciency can lead to hair loss.
Additional B vitamins, including B1, B2,
B3, B6, B12 and folate (B9) also support
healthy hair growth, as B vitamins create
red blood cells, which carry oxygen and
nutrients to the scalp and hair follicles.
Eat eggs, sweet potatoes, onions, pecans,
almonds, tomatoes, carrots, grass-fed beef
and avocado for a diet rich in B vitamins.
Omega-3
Omega-3s are essential fatty acids
that are anti-infl ammatory powerhouses.
Since your body does not produce
them naturally, you must consume them
through your diet. Most people associate
fi sh, like mackerel, wild salmon, herring,
sardines and anchovies with omega
3s, but you can also get them through
fl ax seeds, walnuts, chia seeds and hemp
seed.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant
that helps protect against oxidative stress
caused by free radicals, which can hamper
hair growth. It helps you absorb iron
from plant-based foods, and supports
the body in collagen formation, which is
required for optimal hair growth. Food
sources include bell peppers, citrus fruits,
strawberries, pineapple, kiwi and dark,
leafy greens.
Supplements
While eating a well-balanced, nutrient
rich diet on a regular basis is ideal
for improving hair health, incorporating
a hair-supportive supplement
like NIOXIN’s Recharging Complex
is a great way to help you reach your
nutrient needs. This once-a-day tablet
contains biotin, zinc and iron,
plus 14 other nutrients that support
healthy-growing hair from the inside
out.
What to avoid:
Sugar and high-glycemic foods
Sugar and high-glycemic foods produce
infl ammation in the body. Th ey can lead
to an increase in insulin, which creates
more available DHT, a hormone that can
cause hair follicle shrinkage and hair loss
in both women and men. Avoid foods like
sugar, bread, cereal, pasta, crackers, cookies,
cake and candy.
For more information about NIOXIN,
visit https://www.nioxin.com.
Courtesy BPT
Photo courtesy of Getty Images
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