As the Baby Boomer generation heads for retirement and more of us are caring for aging parents and even grandparents, you may notice significant media attention focused on brain health and memory.

Many brain disorders like Alzheimer’s disease, ADHD, impaired memory, bipolar disorder, and depression are believed to have a component of inflammation. 

Here’s why: When a cell dies, it leaves behind cellular debris. Our immune system is activated to clean up this debris and the process of inflammation starts. Unfortunately, chronic inflammation often kills good cells that are in the vicinity of the debris. This may increase swelling and initiate the death of additional cells in the area.

High dose omega-3 oils may help to decrease inflammation induced from head trauma or chronic neurologic diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease.

Perhaps the best documented positive effects of omega-3 on brain health is the role it plays in decreasing the severity of bipolar disease states and depressions. 

McMainweb.com, an online resource for information on bipolar disorder and depression, reported on a ground breaking pilot study done on the effects of omega-3 oil on bipolar disorder in 1999 by Harvard University. In this study, patients with bipolar disorder were given either high doses of omega-3 oil or a placebo (olive oil). After two months, half of the placebo group dropped out of the study while the majority of the fish oil group, remained in remission longer and continued with the study. After four months, the patients on fish oil pills reported a significant decrease in depression. (1)

There are many, many ongoing studies concerning omega-3 oil effects on bipolar disorder and depression.

Reducing chronic systemic inflammation is still one of the best ways to improve your overall health, including brain function.

To your vibrant health


Dr. Jeff Leighton

1. John McManamy: Fish is supposed to be good brain food. Can this literally be true? Copyright 2010, John McManamy, http://www.mcmanweb.com/omega3.html

Maine Apples
By Courtney Kilbreth Near the end of August until late October Mainers enjoy hitting up the orchards to pick apples. Picking apples is enjoyable for Mainers, with the thought of going home to make delicious apple desserts.

2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 cups apples, pared, cored and quartered
1/4 cup shortening
1/4 cup butter, melted
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla extract or 1 tablespoon dark rum
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger(or 1 teaspoon freshly grated)
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1 cup raisins
1 1/4 cups whole pecans

Preheat oven, process pecans in food processor very briefly by pulsing twice to leave nearly whole pieces. Add 1 cup peeled and cored apple pieces along with salt, sugar, vanilla, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ground cloves and ginger. Process briefly so that chunks remain. Add second cup of apples, processing one pulse only. This provides two different consistencies for the apples. Add raisins and melted butter. Pulse once.

Add flour and process only until combined; some lumps will remain. Turn into a well greased and floured (or use Baker's Joy) 9x9x2 inch baking pan.

Variation: May add up to 1/2 cup coarsely chopped apples and nuts to top before baking. Keep the layer of apples and nuts light so it won't stop cake from rising.

Bake 40 to 50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Serve with whipped cream flavored with a little vanilla or rum and a sprinkling of cinnamon sugar.

Ingredient Spotlight: Glutamine
by Afton Stenger

Glutamine is one of those amino acids that are preferentially taken up by excercising muscles. Glutamine can be found in protein-rich foods such as beef, pork, poultry, fish, milk, yogurt, ricotta and cottage cheese, raw spinach, parsley, cabbages, and nuts. It is also an ingredient in three of MainerWhey and SFH products; Rejuvenate, Hunger & Weight and Post Workout.

Glutamine helps your immune system function and appears to be needed for normal brain function and digestion as well as for removing excess ammonia (a common waste product in the body. Our bodies make enough glutamine for its regular needs, but during extreme stress: heavy exercise, injury, surgery, infection, or prolonged stress, your body may need more glutamine than it can make.

When the body is stressed, it releases the hormone cortisol into the blood stream. High levels of cortisol can lower your body’s stores of glutamine.

Clinical studies have found that glutamine supplements strengthen the immune system and reduce infections (particularly infections associated with surgery). Glutamine supplements may even help in the recovery of severe burns.

Clinical Studies: A few studies of people with HIV and AIDS have found that taking glutamine supplements, along with other important nutrients, may increase weight gain and help the intestines better absorb nutrients.

Athletes who train for endurance events (like marathons) may deplete the amount of glutamine in their bodies. It’s very common for them to catch a cold after an athletic event. Some experts think that may be because of the role glutamine plays in the immune system. One study showed that a test group of athletes taking glutamine supplements had fewer infections.

Supplemental glutamine is often given to malnourished cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiation treatments and sometimes used in patients undergoing bone marrow transplants. Glutamine seems to help reduce stomatitis (an inflammation of the mouth) caused by chemotherapy. Some studies, but not all, have suggested that taking glutamine orally may help reduce diarrhea associated with chemotherapy.

More clinical research is needed is needed for all of these above conditions.

Precautions: Glutamine powder should not be added to hot beverages because heat destroys this amino acid. People with kidney disease, liver disease, or Reye syndrome (a rare, sometimes fatal disease of childhood that is generally associated with aspirin use) should not take glutamine. It is always a good idea to talk with your health care provider before taking a new supplement if you are being treated with any medications.

Felipe Bastos, 41 Victories and Counting!
by Rachel Albury

Felipe is preparing for long distance races this fall which include:

September 25th: ChesapeakeMan Full Distance Triathlon
October 17th: AmeliaMan Half Distance Triathlon
November 13th: MiamiMan Half Distance Triathlon

…and he has had many victories this past summer! These races were held in Florida and the days were often very hot and humid. Even for a Brazilian native, this posed an extra challenge. Also, Felipe had suffered from a semi tendinous injury earlier. However, he still managed to place first in four races and set new course and bike records for two others. His 2010 Summer wins include:

1st Place, Crystal River Triathlon
1st Place, Jacksonville Triathlon
5th Place, Inverness Cross Country 5k
1st Place, Twilight Triathlon (setting a new course record)
1st Place, Amelia Island Triathlon (setting a new course and bike record)

This brings Felipe 41 victories in his career!

Felipe is a professional Brazillian triathlete sponsored by Maine Natural Health and StrongerFasterHealthier. Felipe uses all-natural products to keep himself healthy and ready for the games. You can learn more about Felipe online at: www.Felipe-Bastos.com

Meet the Team of MNH: Paula Grafton Production and Shipping
by Rachel Albury

Paula has been with MNH since 2008. Before working for Maine Natural Health, Paula co-owned and ran Blue Water Seafood, Inc. from 1998 to 2007.

At Maine Natural Health, Paula is responsible for all aspects of production from mixing and bottling the products to shipping it to the customer.

In her free time Paula enjoys swimming, cooking and riding in her 2004 Honda Rebel

Paula grew up in Maine and lives in Warren with her two daughters, Jessie and Sammie.

Raspberry Yogurt Smoothie
1/2 cup of orange juice
1/2 cup of raspberry yogurt
1/2 cup of vanilla frozen yogurt
1/4 frozen banana in chunks
3/4 cups of frozen raspberries
1 scoop vanilla MainerWhey