How Vitamin D Protects Your Brain Function

How Vitamin D Protects Your Brain Function

by | Jan 10, 2019 | Functional Medicine, Nutrition

It’s not new science it’s just not mentioned much yet. Vitamin D protects your brain function. This includes supporting new brain cell growth and removing amyloid.

Amyloid is a starch like protein that is deposited in the liver, kidneys, spleen or other tissues in certain diseases. It is known to lead to Alzheimer’s[1].

Alzheimer’s And Vitamin D

This is one of the biggest risk factors for so many because large numbers of people don’t get enough D through their diet and spend the needed time to activate D through sunlight exposure.

Wait. Are you saying I need to supplement Dr. Deb?  Yes and no. First, find out your numbers. I don’t care for the standard ‘blood test,’ but it’s fine if you can’t do the higher quality test we provide at our office.

Most labs suggest that if your result is over 52 for Vitamin, you’re fine. You’re not. Low levels of D are associated with memory loss and increased risk for dementia. Brain health studies suggest a level around 70-80 improve memory and decrease your risk for dementia[1].

Vitamin D protects your brain function by working to help you avoid age-related brain disease.

To improve your memory and decrease the risk of brain degeneration a supplement dose of 5,000 to 8,000 IU daily should be enough to keep brain tissues functioning at peak capacity.[1]

Why is Vitamin D Important for Brain Health?

Researchers have found that certain cells receptors in our brain are there to connect with D. The function of this connection in animals with Alzheimer’s is that it helps to clear the brain of Amyloid – the toxic protein that builds up and can lead to dementia and other age-related brain disorders. Vitamin D protects your brain function by working to remove Amyloid proteins.

I believe if my mother would have taken it she would not have developed Dementia.
 

In these animal studies, D helped support neurogenesis or the formation of new healthy brain cells!

In other words, D the vitamin can help you stave off age-related brain disorders before they happen.

We already know that Vitamin D or D3 helps to protect us against neuro-inflammation through decades of research.[1] Recent studies continue to validate this. Vitamin D protects your brain function by building new tissue, clearing harmful proteins and protecting you against chronic inflammation inside your head.

Outside of the Research On D3 and Brain Health

 

I’m a simple person. An earthy practitioner though I know many people want research to back up claims and I’ve provided that here. Now let’s talk about why you need to be sure you are taking Vitamin D3 and that you get tested at least yearly for your micronutrients.

  • Vitamin D deficiency is very common. It significantly affects brain health.
  • Mild cognitive impairment and dementia are common forms of age-related cognitive decline that D can help slow or prevent.
  • Both Alzheimer’s and Dementia along with aspects of healthy brain function are consistently associated with levels of vitamin D.
  • Higher levels of Vitamin D are shown to be protective of brain damage.
  • Lower levels also are associated with a significant increase in future cognitive dysfunction.
  • Supplements and regular testing helps you maintain the best levels for reducing inflammation and Amyloid proteins in your brain.

Of course, I see patients who take 8,000 IU of D, and they are still deficient. Their supplement is usually an over-the-counter, or a store purchased brand. Higher quality plays a role in healthy brain outcomes too. Vitamin D protects your brain function by working to help your brain stay young so you can enjoy more years of active living.

 

 

Resources:

[1] Motrello M, Landel V, Lacassagne E. et. al. Vitamin D Improves Neurogenesis and Cognition in a Mouse Model Of Alzheimer’s Disease. Mol Neurobiol. 2018 Aug; 55
[1] Neuroepidemiology journal, 2011, Alzheimer’s, vitamin d and dementia.
[1] Endocrine Practice 2012 Nov-Dec.; 18. Mitchell DM.
[1] J. Neuroimmune Pharmacologically 2017 Jun; 12. Cavello R.  and Epma. J 2017 Dec 8; Koduah P.

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaneurology/article-abstract/1108038
Images: unsplash and Bigstock

 

Mini Prosciutto Egg Frittatas Recipe

Mini Prosciutto Egg Frittatas Recipe

by | Jan 3, 2019 | Recipes

While there are many versions of this recipe, of course, I like mine best. It’s an adoption of Nommonpaleo and Rachel Ray. If you’re watching your lectins leave out the tomatoes as I do. If not, then add chopped sautéed tomatoes to your vegetable mix.

 

We make these for Christmas morning and then have leftovers for part of the week. Along with our Pumpkin Paleo muffins. With that said, we like to make them throughout the year and eat during the week. A quick and easy make ahead lunch that people can grab when they get hungry is Pumpkin Soup with Chives and Ginger

I call these Mini Prosciutto Egg Frittatas

 

What you need

  • 4 tablespoons of coconut oil divided. Use 2 to coat the muffin tins, and the rest to saute the vegetables.
  • ½ of an onion finely diced
  • 1 tablespoon or 2-4 garlic cloves
  • ½ a bunch of fresh spinach. Can use a ½ of a plastic container full
  • 12 large eggs
  • ¼ cup coconut milk – remove the fatty part and save of something else.  I use both the can and the carton of coconut milk in my recipes
  • 1 tablespoon of coconut flour
  • 12-15 [double this if you want the tin fully lined] slices of prosciutto or similar Italian meat
  • Salt, pepper, onion, and garlic powder to taste. So about 1/4-1/2 teaspoon each.

How to Make Mini Prosciutto Egg Frittatas

 

  1. Pre-heat oven to 350. Use a 12 tin muffin tray. You can make 12-15 Mini Prosciutto Egg Frittatas, and they keep about 4-5 days if you don’t overcook or brown.
  2. Cut up the vegetables then place onion and garlic with about 2 tablespoons of oil in a skillet over medium-low heat to sauté.
  3. Once the onions are clear or translucent toss in the cut-up spinach without stems. Let them wilt about 30 seconds and remove from heat.
  4. In a large bowl beat the eggs, milk, and flour until mixed and creamy.
  5. Line each muffin tin with prosciutto
  6. Fill each tin with 1/3 full of eggs
  7. Spoon in enough vegetables to fill each tin to 2/3 full.

Now the Magic: Mini Prosciutto Egg Frittatas Muffins

 

Place egg Mini Prosciutto Egg Frittatas on middle rack in oven for 15 minutes. Check that the eggs are done by using a wooden toothpick in the middle. It should come out clean. If not bake one more minute and test again.

Once done, remove to stop the eggs from browning and drying out.

 

If you overcook, your eggs with have a nice brown crust. This is great for today and maybe tomorrow, but it means the eggs will dry out quickly and need eaten today.

If you didn’t overcook, enjoy for the week. Warm Mini Prosciutto Egg Frittatas left-over in microwave straight from the refrigerator for 5-8 seconds and eat. If you want more egg recipes, visit Scrambled Eggs Done Right

 

Photos from: 

https://nomnompaleo.com/post/7486819479/prosciutto-wrapped-mini-frittata-muffins

Photo by Jenn Kosar , Autumn Mott Rodeheaver, Autumn Mott Rodeheaver on Unsplash

 

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