Acupuncture could boost a woman’s chances of conceiving through IVF by two thirds.

A large scale review of seven studies looked at 1,366 childless women having fertility treatment. Some had acupuncture just before or after an embryo was implanted while others had a sham version or no treatment at all. Women of various ages with different causes of infertility were included in the joint US and Dutch reviews whose findings are published this month in the British Medical Journal. There was a 65 per cent rise in an individual’s chance to becoming pregnant with the proper acupuncture. Acupuncture may relax the womb, making the lining more receptive to an IVF embryo.

Taking a daily multivitamin and mineral supplement every day could help slow down the natural ageing process. It’s common knowledge that many illnesses associated with ageing such as cancer, heart disease and osteoporosis are linked to mineral and vitamin deficiencies caused by an unhealthy diet. But now new research suggests that even the ageing process itself may be speeded up by a diet rich in vitamin poor fast food and refined, processed food.

Nutrition expert and biochemist Dr Bruce Ames recently told the American Association for Advancement of Science’s conference in Boston that studies showed shortages of vitamins and minerals are linked to a host of diseases associated with premature ageing. For instance, low levels of magnesium are linked with cancer, high blood pressure, diabetes and osteoporosis, while lack of vitamin D is associated with breast, bowel and prostate cancers. Calcium deficiency has been associated with diabetes, lack of potassium to heart disease, and low vitamin B12 intake is linked to multiple sclerosis.

 

Lack of nutrients may also accelerate ageing itself, with Dr Ames’s research, which is now published in the Journal proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences showing that dietary supplements can boost both energy and memory in elderly rats. (Go to www.naturalhealthpractice.com to find a good multivitamin and mineral for your needs and age group.)

Studies suggest that fluctuating hormone levels during the menopause can cause lack of coordination, poor concentration and clumsiness so you may feel more accident prone and forgetful. For example, you may need to read a page over and over again to get the sense of it or you may find yourself daydreaming when you need to be concentrating. The following natural therapies should help but bear in mind that the menopause isn’t always to blame. Difficulty concentrating and becoming absent-minded may also be related to poor diet, lack of exercise, fluid retention, lack of sleep and stress.

• Pay particular attention to eating little and often and cutting down on caffeine, to ensure that your nervous system isn’t being overworked by too much adrenaline.
• Make sure that your diet is sufficient in B vitamins – especially vitamin B5 found in food such as whole grains like brown rice, oats, whole meal bread and also in legumes, broccoli and tomatoes. Vitamin B5 is essential for optimum functioning of your nervous system. If lack of co-ordination is a real problem you may want to supplement with a good B complex containing 50 mg of vitamin B5 a day.  (See the Resources Page.)
• Make sure your diet is sufficient in iron as low iron levels can be associated with memory problems and poor coordination.
• Decrease your intake of stimulants such as caffeine, nicotine and sugar.
• Regular exercise also helps to keep you alert and sharp and can improve your concentration too. A brisk walk in the fresh air every day for around 20 minutes will tone up both your mind and your body.
• Learn a relaxation technique to give your nervous system a chance to repair and relax. Just a few minutes a day of relaxation is enough.
• Try some essential oils to soothe your mind and body and reduce stress. Melissa, lavender, and chamomile all have a calming effect which can help problems that contribute to clumsiness.
• Research has shown that Ginkgo Biloba can improve concentration, memory and reaction time. Gingko helps deliver oxygen to your nerve cells and your brain. A study in the Lancet showed that Gingko can improve blood flow to the head. If mental and/or physical disorientation is a problem you may want to take gingko for a period of three to four months. Remember herbs take a few weeks of daily use to show improvement.   (See the Resources Page for an excellent Ginkgo supplement.)
• Practise yoga and meditation to help improve concentration and alertness. While you are doing your yoga you may want to silently and slowly count backwards from 100 once you are in a relaxed state as this will help stimulate circuitry in the brain. As your concentration improves start back from 200 or even 500.

It’s a case of use it or lose it with your brain. Contrary to popular belief brain power does not decrease as you get older and studies show you can be just as sharp in your 60s as your teens. The secret is to use your brain and keep it active. So if you do find yourself becoming forgetful keep your brain alive with new interests, new challenges and try your hand at crosswords or Sudoku every day.