A sharp mind combined with a fit body, work wonders in the world. A sound mind that is always on its toes is not only appreciated but also prized. However, not all of us are born with record-smashing intelligence. How do we then break the barriers that we are naturally confined to?
Brain supplements stimulate mental activity resulting in more alertness, focus, motivation, concentration, better mood, memory, and an ability to process information at a faster rate than without them. They are considered vital in the fight against mental and neurological disorders like dementia, depression, anxiety, and mental decline. Brain supplements contain individual and compound nutrients like vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and phytonutrients, each one of which fulfills specific functions of the brain. Here’s a list of top 10 brain supplements to give your brain an extra edge:
Ginkgo leaves
Ginkgo is one of the oldest existing plant on the planet as well as one of the most widely used herbs to cure a range of diseases. Research shows that it is routinely prescribed as a medicine in Europe. It protects the brain from damage by free radicals, increases blood circulation in the brain, and balances brain chemistry. It is, colloquially, a brain tonic. This is the first and probably the oldest of the top 10 brain supplements.
DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)
DHA contains Omega-3 fats which are essential for continual brain performance. Omega-3 fats are difficult to receive from our regular diets since the main dietary sources of Omega-3 fats are fish like salmon, mackerel, sardines, and herring. DHA helps and enhances brain cell communication, protects from depression, ADHD, and decrease in brain volume. Omega-3 deficiency has been linked to a host of physical and mental illnesses.
Citicoline
Citicoline performs the important function of brain protection and maintaining elasticity, thereby becoming a powerful weapon in the fight against brain damage. Citicoline is an active compound found in every cell of our body. Citicoline supplements help fire up an aging, decaying system, and boost brain capabilities. It can help improve memory, productivity, and aid protection against neurological diseases such as dementia, Alzheimer’s, and multiple sclerosis.
Curcumin
Curcumin is a bioactive compound that is extracted from turmeric. It occurs in abundance naturally and has profound effects on our physical and mental well-being when taken in small quantities over a period of time. It increases the levels of serotonin and dopamine in our blood which helps combat depression and OCD as efficiently as Prozac, without the addiction and side effects. It helps reduce inflammation in the brain that is traditionally associated with Alzheimer’s, helps combat mood swings, boosts energy, and maintains vitality. Many countries like India and Indonesia have kept this ingredient in their top 10 brain supplements since the beginning of natural sciences.
Bacopa
Bacopa is an ancient Ayurvedic herb that can be used to boost brain chemistry. It is an adaptogenic drug that can calm and energize at the same time without being stimulating or sedative. It delivers oxygen, nutrients, and glucose to the brain, increasing blood flow to the brain, and consequently maintaining optimum brain health. It was traditionally used as a tool to develop memory but it also has amazing healing properties against stress, anxiety, and depression.
American Ginseng
Ginseng, another traditional Asian herb comprising the top 10 brain supplements list, is used extensively for healing and consumption purposes. However, the American Ginseng has a higher concentration of ginsenosides which help improve memory, mental clarity, and concentration. American Ginseng is an adaptogen that has potent anxiety relieving properties.
Lion’s Mane
Lion’s Mane (Yamabushitake) is an edible mushroom native to Asia, North America, and Europe. Like Ginseng, it has medicinal and culinary uses that span centuries of experimentation. It is a naturally occurring Nootropic—a substance that improves memory and cognitive function to make you agile, sharp-minded, and smart. It stimulates nerve growth in the brain. Lion’s Mane is an effective treatment for anxiety, depression, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s.
Huperzine A
The most exotic ingredient making the top 10 brain supplements list is the Chinese Club Moss. It is a small plant native only to Asia and contains an alkaloid called Huperzine A that improves learning memory, regulates sleep cycle, promotes new brain cell generation, and regulates brain functions.
L-Theanine
L-Theanine is an amino acid found in green and black teas. It alters brain wave patterns, thus helping you to relax. It sharpens focus, makes you resilient to stress and anxiety, improves the quality of sleep, and promotes recall and learning. This gives it every reason to be included as one of the top 10 brain supplements.
Vitamins
A deficiency of Vitamins in the body is the root cause of several mental disorders. About 40% Americans are deficient in Vitamin B12, 77% in Vitamin D, and 75% in the mineral Magnesium. Appropriate intake of multivitamins can also help shield the brain from damage and degeneration and slow the process of brain aging.
Now that we have reviewed the top 10 brain supplements, we are sure that you may find one that works best for you. However, before going for any of these, you should check for with a specialist to know the right one as per your body type.
Are the tires of your vehicle getting old and losing grip? If so, then it may be time to upgrade them. There are many things to remember when purchasing new tires for your car or truck. Missing out on some of them may leave you with the wrong tires or tires that don’t survive for too long. Here are some of the most common tire-buying mistakes and ways to avoid them.
Not knowing what you need
Based on your car or truck model, you may want your tires to have certain capabilities. Knowing your vehicle’s requirements and driving style is crucial when purchasing new tires. Look for an alphanumeric sequence on its sidewall to determine your current tire’s specifications. Let’s say the sequence on your tire reads “P225/70R1691T.” Here is a breakdown of its interpretation-
Forgetting to consider speed ratings
All tires come with a Tire Speed Rating (TRS). It determines the intensity of speed a tire can handle before overheating, expanding, or exploding. In the example mentioned above, the last letter (T) indicates the tire’s speed rating. The current TRS system uses the letters A to Z to accord a rank to every tire, such that each letter corresponds to a specific speed. Here are the most common speed ratings you will find on tires across the country-
Therefore, a speed rating of ‘V’ implies that a tire can safely handle speeds up to 149 miles per hour. However, these are only testing speeds, and it is not advised to drive at this pace. Therefore, one must follow all traffic laws and observe all applicable speed limits to drive safely.
Not considering the
Are the tires of your vehicle getting old and losing grip? If so, then it may be time to upgrade them. There are many things to remember when purchasing new tires for your car or truck. Missing out on some of them may leave you with the wrong tires or tires that don’t survive for too long. Here are some of the most common tire-buying mistakes and ways to avoid them.
Not knowing what you need
Based on your car or truck model, you may want your tires to have certain capabilities. Knowing your vehicle’s requirements and driving style is crucial when purchasing new tires. Look for an alphanumeric sequence on its sidewall to determine your current tire’s specifications. Let’s say the sequence on your tire reads “P225/70R1691T.” Here is a breakdown of its interpretation-
Forgetting to consider speed ratings
All tires come with a Tire Speed Rating (TRS). It determines the intensity of speed a tire can handle before overheating, expanding, or exploding. In the example mentioned above, the last letter (T) indicates the tire’s speed rating. The current TRS system uses the letters A to Z to accord a rank to every tire, such that each letter corresponds to a specific speed. Here are the most common speed ratings you will find on tires across the country-
Therefore, a speed rating of ‘V’ implies that a tire can safely handle speeds up to 149 miles per hour. However, these are only testing speeds, and it is not advised to drive at this pace. Therefore, one must follow all traffic laws and observe all applicable speed limits to drive safely.
Not considering the Load Index Rating
The tire specifications also include a load index rating. It determines how much weight the tires can hold before crumbling or exploding. The load index rating of each tire can be found on the specifications on the side wall.
Let’s reconsider the earlier example with the tire specification “P225/70R1691T.” The load index rating is mentioned just before the tire speed rating; in this case, it is 91. Each load index rating (0-150) corresponds to a particular weight. In this case, a load index of 91 means that each tire can handle up to 1356 lbs of weight. It is multiplied by four tires in a car to reach a maximum overall load capacity of 5424 lbs. When calculating the load rating you need, consider the weight of an entire car and a loaded trunk. It is best to overestimate this number to travel comfortably without damaging your tires.
Buying the wrong size
The specification on your tires also mentions its width from wall to wall and its rim size so that you can buy the right tire size for your vehicle. Every car has its wheel specification based on its make and model. Buying the wrong size will give you fitting issues and cause the tires to run down faster than usual.
For instance, for the tire specification “P225/70R1691T,” you can infer that the nominal section width of the tire is 225 mm, and the diameter of the tire’s inner rim is 16 inches. Having these measurements in hand when shopping for new tires will help you find the best fit for your vehicle.
Buying for the wrong season
Some tires are meant to be used in certain seasons alone. This general distinction is offered between all-season, summer, and winter tires. Due to decreased traction during winters in snowy regions, cars and trucks may need special tires to find the correct grip. However, these need to be replaced during the summers, as they will run down faster when they hit the pavement.
Buying based on the price only
All tires are not designed in the same way. Shopping by price alone is not a guarantee for a quality tire. At the same time, going for the cheapest tire may also prove counterproductive, as the tires may wear out quickly and need to be replaced sooner. Instead, consider the manufacturer’s tire size and type recommendation when choosing a tire, as alternatives may impact the car’s handling. Additionally, look up reviews and find information about how the tire can help improve fuel economy, how well it handles, how long it has lasted for others, and so on. It will give you a realistic estimate of what to expect from your tire and bring to light any potential problems to steer clear of.
Once you have chosen and replaced your tires, take good care of them to help them last longer. It includes regular rotations to prevent uneven wear and inflating them with the right amount of air to increase fuel economy and decrease tire wear.
The tire specifications also include a load index rating. It determines how much weight the tires can hold before crumbling or exploding. The load index rating of each tire can be found on the specifications on the side wall.
Let’s reconsider the earlier example with the tire specification “P225/70R1691T.” The load index rating is mentioned just before the tire speed rating; in this case, it is 91. Each load index rating (0-150) corresponds to a particular weight. In this case, a load index of 91 means that each tire can handle up to 1356 lbs of weight. It is multiplied by four tires in a car to reach a maximum overall load capacity of 5424 lbs. When calculating the load rating you need, consider the weight of an entire car and a loaded trunk. It is best to overestimate this number to travel comfortably without damaging your tires.
Purchasing the wrong size
The specification on your tires also mentions its width from wall to wall and its rim size so that you can buy the right tire size for your vehicle. Every car has its wheel specification based on its make and model. Buying the wrong size will give you fitting issues and cause the tires to run down faster than usual.
For instance, for the tire specification “P225/70R1691T,” you can infer that the nominal section width of the tire is 225 mm, and the diameter of the tire’s inner rim is 16 inches. Having these measurements in hand when shopping for new tires will help you find the best fit for your vehicle.
Buying for the wrong season
Some tires are meant to be used in certain seasons alone. This general distinction is offered between all-season, summer, and winter tires. Due to decreased traction during winters in snowy regions, cars and trucks may need special tires to find the correct grip. However, these need to be replaced during the summers, as they will run down faster when they hit the pavement.
Going by price alone
All tires are not designed in the same way. Shopping by price alone is not a guarantee for a quality tire. At the same time, going for the cheapest tire may also prove counterproductive, as the tires may wear out quickly and need to be replaced sooner. Instead, consider the manufacturer’s tire size and type recommendation when choosing a tire, as alternatives may impact the car’s handling. Additionally, look up reviews and find information about how the tire can help improve fuel economy, how well it handles, how long it has lasted for others, and so on. It will give you a realistic estimate of what to expect from your tire and bring to light any potential problems to steer clear of.
Once you have chosen and replaced your tires, take good care of them to help them last longer. It includes regular rotations to prevent uneven wear and inflating them with the right amount of air to increase fuel economy and decrease tire wear.
Heartburn, also referred to as acid reflux, is characterized by an uncomfortable burning feeling or pain in the chest. Occasional heartburn is common among adults and isn’t a major concern. If you’re wondering what causes bad heartburn, it’s usually certain trigger foods like chocolates, onions, and fatty foods. To relieve symptoms, it’s important to carefully choose your meals. Read on to learn about foods to eat and avoid to manage heartburn.
6 Foods to Eat and Avoid to Manage Heartburn
Eat: Oatmeal
Oatmeal is one of the best foods to consume for heartburn. Being a whole grain, it contains lots of fiber. Fiber helps absorb stomach acid, reducing the symptoms of acid reflux. So, make sure to enjoy at least a bowl of oatmeal each day. You can also try other whole grain options like brown rice and whole-wheat bread.
Avoid: Fatty foods
To effectively manage bad heartburn, it’s vital to eliminate all potential causes of the problem. Fatty foods are a common culprit of acid reflux and can also make the condition worse. They are slower to digest and relax your lower esophageal sphincter (LES), exacerbating heartburn. Steer clear of various high-fat foods like French fries, full-fat milk, and fatty cuts of meats.
Eat: Ginger
Ginger has long been used to treat various ailments, especially gastrointestinal issues. Thanks to its alkaline nature and powerful anti-inflammatory properties, ginger can reduce irritation in the digestive tract and relieve heartburn. This spice is versatile and can be used in stir-fried dishes, soups, and smoothies. You can even drink multiple cups of ginger tea daily.
Avoid: Citrus fruits
Citrus fruits, such as oranges, grapefruit, lemons, and lime, are indeed nutritious. But they should not be consumed when heartburn flares up as they directly cause it by being highly acidic in nature.
Eat: Yogurt
Yogurt is an excellent food choice when it comes to resolving gastrointestinal problems. It contains lots of probiotics, which are good bacteria that keep your digestive tract healthy. This can help alleviate heartburn. A cup of yogurt can also soothe an irritated esophagus. If you don’t like yogurt, choose from other great probiotic-rich options like kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi, and kombucha.
Avoid: Caffeinated beverages
It’s well known that drinks with caffeine, such as tea and coffee, can aggravate acid reflux. Chocolates contain caffeine, too, so it’s best to avoid them. Moreover, carbonated beverages, like soda, contain carbon dioxide and caffeine, which can have a double whammy effect during heartburn flare-ups.