The Stratagy

New ways of testing; In the New England Medical Journal a new way of testing for Cadasil has been found. No longer will people have to have their blood drawn. A simple swabing of ones mouth or collecting of siliva for DNA sampling can give the same results that blood screening can give with the same accuracy.

In the Readers Digest issue for November 2008, page 96. A dose of Cocoa; Eating and drinking foods high in cocoa flavanols inproves blood flow to the brain and may help prevent strokes and demntia. In a study of 34 adults ages 59 to 83, scientists from Harvrd Medical School and Brigham and Womens Hospitals found that those given a flavanol rich drinks twice a day for one to two weeks had a significant increase in brain flow. The compounds may help the brain relax, improving circulation, while there are labeling standards for flavanol yet, food companies are marketing 'Healthier" choices in dark chocolate and cocoa. A small bit couldn't hurt, and may just help.   

In the Readers Digest isssue for December 2008, page 96. A University of Kansas study found that patients who were fit had four times less brain shrinkage (meaning cell death)than those who were out of shape. The benifits of exersize, including changes in  growth factors and incressed blood vessels and blood flow, may prevent  brain cells from dying. 

Sign: You eat purple food
Concord grapes, blueberries, red wine: They all get that deep, rich color from polyphenols—compounds that reduce heart disease risk and may also protect against Alzheimer's disease, according to the new research. Polyphenols help keep blood vessels and arteries flexible and healthy. "What's good for your coronary arteries is also good for your brain's blood vessels," says Robert Krikorian, Ph.D., director of the Cognitive Disorders Center at the University of Cincinnati. Preliminary animal studies suggest that adding dark grapes to your diet may improve brain function. What's more, in a recent human study, researchers found that eating one or more cups of blueberries every day may improve communication between brain cells, enhancing your memory.

Tea up" to stop strokes

Drinkng lots of black or green tea may lower your risk of stroke, according to the research presented at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference in San Diego, California., earlier this year. Experts say antioxidents and other substances in these teas appear to reverse the prcess of strokes, and help ward off strokes. A study review of 195,000 adults found that people who drank 3 or more cups of tea daily had a 21% lower risk of strokes compared to people who drank one cup or less.