The Health Blog

A recent study found out that smoking causes long-lasting changes in the brain similar to changes seen in animals when they are given cocaine, heroin and other addictive drugs. These changes are linked to two enzymes found on brain cells or neurons. These enzymes help the neurons use chemical signals such as those made by the message-carrying compound dopamine, and they are found in greater quantity in smokers and former smokers.

“The data show that there are long-lasting chemical changes in the brains of humans,” said Michael Kuhar of Emory University in Atlanta, who was not involved in the study.

“The chemical changes alone suggest a physiological basis for nicotine addiction.” Yahoo! Health News

Now, we all have a valid excuse to sneak on the fridge for a bar of chocolate. In a recent study, scientists found out a specially formulated type of cocoa that may boost brain function and delay decline as people age.

Flavanols are said to be responsible for this new found benefit. Flavanols, an antioxidant found in cocoa beans, can increase blood flow to the brain.

In tests given to young women who were asked to do a complex task while their brains were being studied with magnetic resonance imaging. It was shown that those who have taken flavanol-rich cocoa drink has improved brain blood flow.

A study on Cuna Indian tribe in Panama, who drink cocoa exclusively, revealed similar health benefits. Those who live on native islands do not have high blood pressure. Further, when tribe members move to cities, their blood pressure rises. A major difference is the consumption of their own prepared cocoa, which is high in flavanols. In native areas, that is all they drink; in cities they adopt the local diet. In addition, there were no reported cases of dementia among the native Cuna.

We cannot prevent death, that’s a fact, but at least we can try. There are ways we can increase our lifespan.

What can you do?

1. Stop smoking. It has been pointed out in many health articles and in government campaigns that “Smoking is dangerous to one’s health.” In a study conducted by the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), smoking is the major factor that could contribute to reduced lifespan. In my previous health article, I emphasized the hazardous effects of smoking on one’s health which can lead to reduced lifespan.

In a recent Dutch study, posted on NYTimes.com, folic acid was found to improve mental abilities lost in aging. The blood pressure, cholesterol, body mass, smoking status and other variables that may affect mental functioning were controlled in the study. It showed that the folic acid group performed significantly better on three of the five mental tests, and their average for all tests was significantly higher.

Additional studies are needed to confirm the findings. But this result has shown that there is a future of the therapy in memory lapses brought about by aging. Who knows, this will be a future preventive drug for amnesia.