A few weeks ago I wrote about studies showing that the resveratrol found in grape juice has powerful anti-oxidant properties that switch on your immune system and keep your blood flowing smoothly. Grape seed is also a component in natural remedies for improving eyesight.

Now new studies reveal that the polyphenolds in grape juice can prevent such common diseases as dementia, cancer, and cardiovascular disease.

Of course, purple grape juice isn’t the only source or polyphenols, just as it isn’t the only source of reservatrol. They can be found in most blue and red berries, many nuts, green tea, dark chocolate, coffee, and even beer.

But it was grape juice used in a small 12-week study of elderly adults with declining memory. Those who received grape juice rather than a placebo showed significant improvement in verbal learning skills, and in memory.

Fortunately for all of us, studies are ongoing. Now that researchers have seen proof that grape juice and other foods can prevent disease and degeneration, they’re moving forward with more studies.

I have a little trouble remembering to drink green tea, even though I know I should. But grape juice is another story – I really like it!

I urge you to read it for yourself, but what I gained from it is that if you expect supplements to prevent or cure anything, you need to take them in the proper dosage.

Ginkgo Biloba has been used for thousands of years and has proven itself to be effective in enhancing memory and warding off the onset of Alzheimer’s Disease, yet this new study says it’s totally ineffective.

The Mayo Clinic seems to disagree. To quote their article: “Available evidence demonstrates ginkgo’s efficacy in the management of intermittent claudication, Alzheimer’s/multi-infarct dementia, and “cerebral insufficiency”.

They go on to say that studies on Ginkgo Biloba indicate usefulness in memory enhancement in younger, healthy people, along with relieving symptoms of altitude sickness and premenstrual syndrome. Ginkgo may also aid in repairing damage due to chemotherapy.

One thing to note, however. Unlike many natural remedies, Ginkgo Biloba can have side effects. It should not be taken by anyone with blood circulation disorders, or by pregnant women. It may cause an adverse reaction if taken with anti-depressants, and in some people it may cause nausea, intestinal upsets, and headaches.

Kroeger Complete Concentrates, Ginkgo Biloba – 90 caps

Swedish research Susanne Akterin found similarities between the chemical makeup in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients and rats fed a diet with the nutritional equivalent of burgers and fries. In other words, a diet high in calories, cholesterol, and saturated fat.

One of the new Alzheimer’s findings is an excessive build-up of a protein called tau in “Alzheimer’s brains.” It is one of the few common threads researchers have found. At the same time, they found low amounts of arc – a protein that plays a key role in memory storage.

We’ve long been aware that fast food isn’t good for us. Not only does it give us too much fat and calories, but living on fast food means we aren’t eating the fruits and vegetables our bodies need. Until now we thought it was about obesity, heart disease, and high cholesterol.

Now it seems that we need to lay off the junk food to protect our brains!

It doesn’t look like we’re doing a very good job of it. According to one report I read, McDonald’s sales increased 8.2% in November alone. And it’s not just Americans who are chowing down on burgers and fries – outlets in Europe, the Asian Pacific, Africa, and the Middle East are all doing quite well.

More research will be done before our public health officials will make any kind of statement about fast food, but Akterin is quoted as saying that it “can be a contributory factor in the development of Alzheimer’s disease.”

Hmmm… Go eat an apple.