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The Value of Vitamins

Brain greatThere appears to be a few vitamins that one might take that can improve the brain of older adults.

First reported in the New York Times, a recent study found that higher blood levels of omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin B, vitamin C, vitamin D and vitamin E are associated with better mental functioning in the elderly.

After controlling for age, sex, blood pressure, body mass index and other factors, the researchers found that people with the highest blood levels of the four vitamins scored higher on the cognitive tests and had larger brain volume than those with the lowest levels.

Omega-3 levels were linked to better cognitive functioning and to healthier blood vessels in the brain, but not to higher brain volume, which suggests that these beneficial fats may improve cognition by a different means. Higher blood levels of trans fats, on the other hand, were significantly associated with impaired mental ability and smaller brain volume.

 

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/03/health/research/vitamins-b-c-d-and-e-and-omega-3-strengthen-older-brains.html?_r=1&src=me&ref=general

 

 


Horoscope for Month of May 2013 and Week of April 29, 2013

Princess diThere is a personal planetary pile up in Taurus this May as Sun, Venus, Mercury and Mars all wander through. This means that we may see things in more practical terms and take our sweet time getting there. But like in true bullish fashion, we will eventually arrive and eventually rule.

(Princess Diana had Venus in Taurus)

 Never miss your horoscope again -- free sign up here. Here is my favorite book on astrology and a "must" for anyone interested in learning more: Secrets from a Stargazer's Notebook: Making Astrology Work for You and here's a guide to the best books available this month. This column is (c) 2013 THE STARRY EYE, LLC., All Rights Reserved. For Entertainment Purposes Only. Madam Lichtenstein is the author of the best selling astrology book “HerScopes ” now in its 8th printing and available as an eBook.



ARIES   (MARCH 21 - APRIL 20)
This week brings a renewed interest in your money situation. Are you  considering some major purchases, a wild splurge or planning for a future cushy retirement? Whatever your ultimate goal is, don’t fritter your nest egg on any cracked plan. Sit on it for a while and let it grow. Aries can enjoy fluffy omelettes in the future, which is not as far off as you think.

TAURUS   (APRIL 21 - MAY 21)
Do you have a great idea that you want to share with the world? This is the time to do it. Taureans have ample reserves of charisma that are waiting to be tapped. And you find yourself in the epicenter of activity where the bold and beautiful can take notice. But don’t just crash on the scene without a cogent plan. Make your moves and move some scenery around.

GEMINI   (MAY 22 - JUNE 21)
There is so much happening behind the scenes that it may be difficult for you to concentrate. Geminis are fairly flexible though so anything that gets by you now will not be that important. Listen to the scuttlebutt and scuttle any butt that gets in your way. Secret admirers may make themselves known to you. Ah but do you really want to know?

CANCER   (JUNE 22 - JULY 23)
Get out of your comfort zone and expand your social circle with forays into new clubs and groups. Rub some elbows, Cancer. It is time for new experiences with a fresh group of faces. But don’t ignore your current crop of compadres. Bring them into the fold, mix up your groups and one thing can lead to another. Let the excitement begin. Rubadub.

LEO   (JULY 24 - AUGUST 23)
Put your efforts into your career as your steady climb to the top needs a push. Leos who have been putting out the effort begin to see a payoff. Those who have been less than diligent can make up for lost time. The most important thing is to ply your talents with the powerful movers and shakers in your organization. When plying doesn’t work, try bribes.

VIRGO   (AUGUST 24 - SEPTEMBER 23)
Adventure awaits you, if you decide to get off your couch and explore. That means that whether you travel far or stay close to home, the best results occur when you make the effort to experience something or someone brand new. Consider taking a class, or take a long awaited trip or even try a new restaurant. Your world view is ready for vision check, Virgo.

LIBRA   (SEPTEMBER 24 - OCTOBER 23)
Libras have the sizzle and are ready to jump into the sexy flames. But the word is caution. Be choosy in your paramours and find one who can connect with you on more than just a physical level. Try for a meeting of the hearts and minds too. There is more to life than an occasional oomph. Although it is hard to believe that right now.

SCORPIO   (OCTOBER 24 - NOVEMBER 22)
Spend more time cultivating meaningful relationships. The yearning for true connection can lead to reduced stress and more long term happiness. For those Scorpios who are currently involved, see what you can do to spoil your partner. For those seeking their dreamboat, put  your dinghy in the water and set sail. You never know who will hoist your sail.

SAGITTARIUS   (NOVEMBER 23 - DECEMBER 22)
Sagittarians may be in need of a complete health regime reappraisal. Have you been exercising enough? Do you eat properly? The summer is upon us. Prepare for swimsuit (or even naked beach) season with an energized outlook on firming, toning and buffing. Yes, it is possible to improve on perfection... if what I see before me is your definition of “perfection”.

CAPRICORN   (DECEMBER 23 - JANUARY 20)
Are you tempted to break from tradition and go crazy on the party circuit? If so, take the bait and see how many rocking parties you can attend before you poop out. Capricorns can also test the limits of their creativity now. Try your hand at something artistic from painting to writing to cuisine to drama. But be careful of too much drama. Ahem!

AQUARIUS   (JANUARY 21 - FEBRUARY 19)
Concentrate on your domestic agenda by tackling more DYI projects, redecorating your surroundings or even consider moving to a new swanky pad. Anything you do no matter how trivial will seem like an improvement and will enable you to expand your home entertaining capabilities. Sultry summer soirees are in the cards, if you know what game you are playing.

PISCES   (FEBRUARY 20 - MARCH 20)
If you have an opinion about something important, say it now. Not only can you move public opinion, you will also get recognition for your great ideas. Before you know it, you could be in a position to make policy and sway the crowds. Well, maybe one day. For now, get your thoughts together and prepare to take them on the road. If not you, Pisces, then who?



Lucky Numbers for the Week of April 26, 2013

Lottery ads tell us you only need a dollar and a dream. But it is also helpful to have a list of lucky numbers to help spur the good fortune ... or fortunes. So with that in mind, here are some lucky numbers that can be used in any helpful way. I gazed into a pool of water, Nostradamus-like, and contemplated the cosmos. Then I mixed the tarot cards and allowed the spirits to guide me to the cards that represent the lucky numbers for this week. Nothing is guaranteed but who knows ....?

I choose eight numbers because 8 is the number of wealth.

Here are the lucky numbers for the week of April 26-May 2, 2013:

17, 23, 29, 31, 47, 58, 63, 78

There are many ways to delve into your own consciousness to find luck and intuition. Try reading Dream Power/Improve Your Luck (Super Strength Series) and see if your dreams give you any clues and premonitions. Here's a guide to the best books available this month

A Bird Flew into My Home! What Does that Mean?

I had a situation a few months ago where a bird flew into my glass door with a crash. Research on birds hitting windows or actually flying into a house resulted in a wide range of possible superstitions including that they were messengers bearing news (often unfortunate news).

Among the best-known superstitions is the widely held belief that a bird flying into a room through an open window and then out again is a sure sign of the approaching death of someone in the household, as is the sight of birds flying around a particular house or a bird tapping against the windowpane or coming down the chimney. Check out more Superstitions and Legends of Animals and Birds.
Part of the basis of those types of superstitions is that birds are thought to  be connected with souls of those who have passed on to the spiriti world, although another popular superstition (from France) maintains that when unbaptised children die, they become birds for a time until accepted into Heaven.

There is a great superstition site here. And check out this fascinating video about bird superstitions:

 


Baby's Birth Month Might Determine Diseases

BabyThis fascinating medical study on babies might in fact help forward the cause of astrology. Scientists have determined that a baby's birth month can determine their immune system development and their ability to fight of disease. That some baby's have stronger immune systems based on their brith month is something more akin to astrology than anything medical. True? Read on....

The full article can be found here.

Newborn babies’ immune systems and vitamin D levels differ – depending on which month of the year they were born, Medical News Today reported. 

Several studies have indicated that the month in which you were born can influence your risk of developing MS – a phenomenon known as the “birth month effect.”  The risk of MS appears to be highest for people born in May, and lower in those born in November, particularly for people living in England.

For the study, blood samples were taken from the umbilical cords of 50 babies born in November and 50 babies born in May. Researchers looked at levels of vitamin D and levels of autoreactive T-cells in the babies’ blood. T-cells are the white blood cells that help the body’s immune system attack infectious agents like viruses. However, when T-cells are autoreactive, they attack the body’s healthy cells, causing autoimmune diseases.The blood tests indicated that babies born in May had significantly lower levels of vitamin D and higher levels of autoreactive T-cells, compared to babies born in November, Medical News Today said.

 


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