Mindfully Healing

Supplement found to buffer the body against stress and improve sleep. For a long time probiotics — the so-called ‘good bacteria’ in fermented foods and elsewhere — have been linked to all sorts of physical and psychological benefits. Now the lesser-known prebiotics are getting in on the act. Prebiotics are dietary fibres found in foods such as: Onions, leeks, artichokes, and chicory. Prebiotic fibre — also available as dietary supplements — can improve the health of your gut by helping beneficial bacteria to multiply. New research has found that prebiotics

For the research 166 people carried out cognitive tasks while the blood flow in their brains was measured. Higher omega-3 fatty acids levels are linked to greater blood flow in memory and learning areas of the brain, new research finds. Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to fight changes in the brain linked to dementia. Dr Daniel G. Amen, the study’s first author, said: “This is very important research because it shows a correlation between lower omega-3 fatty acid levels and reduced brain blood flow to regions important for learning,

Nine years before memory changes, this can signal problems. Changes in sense of humour could be an early sign of dementia, a new study finds. A shift to preferring slapstick humour — like Mr Bean — over satirical or absurdist comedy, such as Monty Python, could be an early sign of Alzheimer’s. Friends and relatives of those with dementia reported seeing changes around nine years before the more typical memory problems. Dr Camilla Clark, who led the study, said: “As sense of humour defines us and is used to build