This series of brain chemistry articles began with the identification of the number one complaint that women voice when coming to see Dr. Gabhart: loss of mental cognition.

The work of Dr. Eric R. Braverman, author of The Edge Effect, clearly shows us that we are able to keep our brain in tip top condition. Today’s article begins the review of exactly how we do that.

Answering a series of true-false questions found in the book demonstrated that my dominant nature is acetylcholine nature.  Part II of his book is divided into four chapters, each chapter detailing specific information on how to strengthen the four individual natures.

Dr. Braverman suggests to first turn to the chapter for your individual nature. Since mine is acetylcholine, I will use it as an example so you can get a feel for the type of advice that is given.

Right off the top, it is uncanny to read pages of information that absolutely nails my personality. How on earth did his test do that? The personality profile he details is right on target for me.

Likewise, his description of how I feel when I have too much acetylcholine vs when I am out of balance and have acetylcholine deficiency is also staggering. The description is perfectly descriptive of how I feel in each of those conditions.

Dr. Braverman lists acetylcholine-related symptoms and the medical conditions that can and will occur if the deficiency is left unchecked. The second part of the chapter details what I can do to balance my acetylcholine nature.

It is comforting to read precise instructions on what I can do to maintain balance in my acetylcholine nature in each of the following six categories:

1)      Hormones

2)      Supplements

3)      Diet

4)      Vitamins and supplements

5)      Lifestyle

6)      Environment

My test scores did not indicate any current deficiency. However, if there had been deficiency, Dr. Braverman also supplies specific guidance for medications and electrical  treatment in addition to information in the above listed categories.

The same instructional guidance is given for the other three natures: dopamine, GABA, and serotonin. The next article in the series will address the “deficient nature” and how that plays into your overall balance.

Last week I wrote the first of a series of articles regarding the number one complaint that women voice when coming to see Dr. Gabhart, who specializes in hormone balancing: loss of mental cognition. See http://rosiebrownrn.com/are-you-losing-your-edge/ and www.whitneygabhartnd.com.

In continuing my study of the work of Eric R. Braverman, M.D., there is so much hope contained in his following statement:

“These medical, neurological, and psychiatric conditions related to loss of brain speed can cascade into obesity, anxiety, depression, psychosis, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson’s Disease; 50 percent of Americans will have developed some degree of impairment from dementia or Alzheimer’s disease by age eighty, and 80 percent will do so by ninety. Fortunately, most of these diseases are preventable once you learn to keep your brain in top condition.”

What the research is demonstrating is that most psychiatric problems are not caused by emotional factors, but rather by brain chemicals. Brain biochemical imbalances appear to be the cause of disease.

When a person is living, there is electricity conducted and processed through the brain. At death, the electricity ceases to flow. “The brain’s electrical function as it processes biochemicals is the basis of brain health.”

The key to effective electricity flow are four “biochemical neurotransmitters”:

1)      Dopamine

2)      Acetylcholine

3)      GABA

4)      Serotonin

Dr. Braverman teaches, “Today we know that good health requires that for any given body function, all four neurotransmitters must be processed in a specific order and in precise amounts.”

A common symptom that women with hormone imbalance experience is “foggy thinking” or the inability to remember things. 

My own personal  experience validates Dr. Braverman’s work : “Lapses in memory are not an inevitable consequence of aging. They are a concrete indication of brain chemical deficiencies, and they can be reversed.” 

I know, Dr. Gabhart knows, and all the women she has helped know, yes, foggy thinking can be reversed.

Tomorrow’s article will focus on the question, “Why do we have unbalanced brains?”

Dr. Gabhart and I had a conversation yesterday about the number one complaint that women voice when coming to see her: loss of mental cognition.

Interestingly enough, I told her that just the day before I had my annual physical. I told my doctor that among the list of signs and symptoms indicating a problem with my thyroid, my inability to remember things was the most distressing and the most scary to me.  She responded, “See what I mean?”

She went on to say that the topic of mental stability/mental cognition must clearly be covered in our upcoming book. She advised me to study the work of Eric R. Braverman, MD, author of The Edge Effect. She advised that this book is very technical, but said it would be a great resource. I would then be challenged to break it down into common language that the ordinary person can understand. Alright, game on!

Barnes & Noble provided me with a copy yesterday, so away we go. The statement on the front cover is attention grabbing: “Reverse or Prevent Alzheimer’s. Aging, Memory Loss, Weight Gain, Sexual Dysfunction, and More.”

Dr. Nicholas Perricone, author of The Wrinkle Cure and The Perricone Promise gave the following endorsement: “With his emphasis on brain chemistry and electricity, Dr. Braverman leads the way in preventing brain aging. In this anti-aging century, get on the path to total health and feel as good as you look.”

Scanning through the Table of Contents, guess which was the first chapter I jumped to? The one titled, “Are You Losing Your Edge?”

 I find the intro to this chapter fascinating:

“Living at your peak – when every day is a good day at work, when enjoyment comes easily, and when you feel strong and healthy – can be directly traced to a balanced brain. This occurs when all four of your primary biochemicals (dopamine, acetylcholine, GABA, and serotonin) are transmitting properly and in the right proportions, your four electrical functions are working at optimal levels, the power supply is strong, brain speed is fast, rhythm is constant, and your brain is in sync. At this point you are experiencing the Edge Effect.

However, if you are feeling ill, and have physical complaints, you know intuitively that something is wrong. Regardless of the symptoms, the solution is to go to the source: Your brain chemistry. If your brain chemistry is unbalanced, your body will be unbalanced.”

What appears next about children is fascinating:

“A low-dopamine child might exhibit symptoms of ADD. A low-acetylcholine child may have learning disorders. A low-GABA child could have impulsive or violent tendencies, and a low-serotonin child might be moody or depressed.”

I think my brain is going to like being stretched to learn about this “Edge Effect.”  :  ) Want to hang out with me in the upcoming weeks? I love to learn then teach others. Together we can put that old “mental cognition” complaint to rest!  :  )