Alzheimer’s is on the rise — how can we protect our brain health?

Alzheimer’s is on the rise—how can we protect ourselves?

Did you know?

In the U.S. alone, 1 in 9 people over age 65 have Alzheimer’s disease
Deaths from Alzheimer’s disease doubled between 2000 and 2019
1 out of 3 seniors dies with Alzheimer’s or some other form of dementia
11% of people over the age of 65 have Alzheimer’s disease
If you have a close relative with Alzheimer's disease, your risk increases by about 30%
People aged 65 and over survive an average of 4-8 years after diagnosis
Two-thirds of Alzheimer’s patients in the U.S. are women
Alzheimer's disease affects people of color at almost twice the rate
More than 6 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s

The statistics are not encouraging. In fact, they’re horrifying. In the U.S., nearly 12-18% percent of people over the age of 60 are living with MCI (Mild Cognitive Impairment), causing cognitive changes that are serious enough to be noticed by the person affected and by family members and friends. 10-15% of those individuals will go on to develop dementia.

The particularly scary part is the stat about deaths from Alzheimer’s disease doubling over the past 20 years. What are we doing to ourselves and how can we stop this from happening?

There is not currently any FDA-approved treatment that cures this dreaded neurological disease, although there are late-stage trials underway with a new drug that reduces the amyloid plaques associated with onset. But it remains unclear if this will help thwart the progression of it, as it hasn’t yet shown to have an effect on symptoms.²

11% of people over the age of 65 have Alzheimer’s disease.

There are, however, several crucial steps we can take to potentially lessen our odds of developing Alzheimer’s and improve brain health along the way. Obviously exercise and a good diet are key to maintaining a healthy body all around, and for brain health in particular, neuroprotectants—literally substances that protect your brain—are key. To support cognitive function we should be taking nootropics, such as the potent adaptogenic Lion’s Mane mushroom.

OMFG's Brain Health Supplement

The founders of OMFG gummies aren’t getting any younger themselves, and so our team set out to create a high-quality health supplement that we actually enjoy taking (i.e. not more pills), and that has neuroprotectants and nootropics in one bite. Our OMFG Brain Health mushroom gummies are not only sweet, tangy and delicious, but full of ingredients that support your brain health in myriad ways.

To support cognitive function we should all be taking nootropics.

We put a full gram (1000 mg) of Lion’s Mane mushroom fruiting body extract in a dose of our Brain Health gummies, in contrast to many other functional mushroom products that come in far short of that target dose. Lion’s Mane mushroom stimulates the repair of existing neurons and creation of new ones. It stimulates the production of Nerve Growth Factor, a secretion responsible for the growth, survival and plasticity of neurons.³

We add in another full gram of Cordyceps mushroom extract, which accelerates the production of ATP (the energy source for all of our cells) thus enhancing the delivery of energy to muscle tissue and optimizing oxygen uptake. This helps blood flow to brain cells, countering mental fatigue and increasing learning and memory capacity.^4,5

Lion’s Mane Mushroom stimulates the production of Nerve Growth Factor, a secretion responsible for growth, survival and plasticity of neurons.

In addition to these brain-boosting mushrooms, we add a lab-synthesized version of a compound called DMAE, which the human brain produces to optimize the production of acetylcholine, the primary neurotransmitter involved in learning and memory. ⁶
Studies involving lab rats suggest that DMAE may be effective in reducing memory deficits in patients with cognitive impairment, ⁷ indicating it might be a promising nootropic.

We also put a generous dose of Vitamin B12 in our Brain Health mushroom gummies, an essential vitamin that helps create red blood cells, protect DNA, and keeps nerve cells healthy.⁸ Studies show that a lack of Vitamin B12 is often linked to poor brain health in older patients⁹ and deficiency becomes more of an issue as we age due to lower absorption rates.¹⁰

And lastly, another essential vitamin you will find in our brain health formula is Vitamin B6, which benefits the central nervous system and metabolism. This one turns the food we eat into energy and helps to create neurotransmitters that regulate our moods and brain functions.¹¹ Vitamin B6 may indirectly help with brain function by lowering levels of homocysteine, as high levels of this protein have been linked with a higher incidence of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and cognitive decline.¹²

Studies show that a lack of Vitamin B12 is often linked to poor brain health in older patients and deficiency becomes more of an issue as we age due to lower absorption rates.

We hope that, like us, you will enjoy these mushroom gummies so much that you find it easier to incorporate taking essential health supplements into your daily routine. Taking a fist full of pills can feel like a chore. Eating OMFG Brain Health mushroom gummies is a treat!

What we can do to help prevent cognitive decline:

Get regular exercise
Keep to a generally healthy diet (notably low-carb and Mediterranean)
Get ‘mental’ exercise—do puzzles, word games; alter your routine.
Get sufficient sleep
Maintain a healthy social life
Eat OMFG Brain Health gummies! (or other nootropics/neuroprotectants)

How to Prevent Alzheimer's Disease

The stats tell us that now, more than ever, our precious brains are under attack from external influences. It’s not possible at this point to reverse Alzheimer’s once it has taken hold so prevention is the name of the game. And, of course, let us not forget that a couple of mushroom gummies are not going to make up for poor lifestyle choices or genetic conditions. Eating healthfully and sleeping sufficiently are hugely important (Sleep gummies anyone?); especially a low-carb (keto) or ‘Mediterranean’ diet. Possibly to an even greater extent, it is crucial to get regular exercise. According to the American Academy of Neurology (AAN), there is compelling evidence linking regular exercise with better memory in people with MCI.¹³ And along with physical exercise it is important to mentally exercise to maintain brain health. Doing puzzles or word games, reading informative books, learning a language, taking dance classes, are all good ways to stay mentally alert. Even driving a different way home from the store can forge new neural pathways, so it is good to break out of your routine and introduce new concepts, patterns, and knowledge.

Hopefully you will enjoy these Mushroom gummies so much that you find it easier to incorporate taking essential Health supplements into your daily routine.

So eat your OMFG Brain Health Mushroom Gummies, as well as your greens, get some Zzzz’s, go for a hike, bike or swim, do your Wordle or crossword and keep that mind engaged, socialized, and stimulated.