Hildreth: Why does the brain wear out first?

The brain is in a world of its own and yet closely tied to every other cell of the body. It has protection barriers from the rest of the body. At least a third of the blood that is pumped out of the heart goes to the brain. It requires a lot of oxygen and nutrients. The brain tissue components are mainly made up of special forms of fatty tissue that requires a lot of maintenance and oxidizes or spoils easily if not well-supplied with important nutrients for constant repair and constant new cell production. It can be easily damaged and no doubt is on a chronic basis in cases of an ongoing systemic inflammatory state. That is why a periodic examination including blood tests that include a serum C-reactive protein and homocysteine blood levels are important. An MRI x-ray study of the brain can give some feedback as to the amount of brain cell destruction that has been going on, although there may not be a direct relationship at any one time as to the amount of tissue destruction noted and the symptoms of dementia.

Brain use in the way of exercise but not disuse in the way of ongoing mental stress and overload is important. Secondly, adequate blood circulation, arterial blood in and venous blood out. The brain requires a large amount of quality nutrients and oxygen. Diversity of fats is important, particularly omega-3. Fats from the plant kingdom and fish probably may be the most important. Oxygen is very high on the list. Many of us as we age may become chronically ischemic without being aware of it, but the brain knows. Smoking is very bad news. There are different studies to evaluate blood through the brain and the level of oxygen to the brain. Apparently, return blood away from the brain by way of the veins may be more of a problem in many cases. Removal of byproducts and wastes secondary to chronic inflammation may be a greater problem.

The autonomic nervous system and hormonal balance plays a great role in stability of brain function. Years ago, many of you ladies experienced involutional depression during the change of life. With a better way of monitoring hormonal balance, this is not the challenge it used to be. All systems of the body are important when it comes to brain function.

Because of the tremendous exchange of transfer of messages from one part of the brain to another, there is another circulatory mechanism within the brain and the spinal cord. The fluid that aids in carrying nutrients and cellular waste out of the central nervous system and spinal cord is the cerebrospinal fluid. Alterations and restrictions of cerebrospinal fluid flow can be influenced by spine or head restriction secondary to trauma and spinal or cervical arthritis resulting in degenerative joint disease. Every restriction in circulatory flow, whether it is cardiovascular including the venous return, cerebrospinal fluid or circulating lymph flow, will influence the biochemistry and electrical potential of every cell and this includes brain cells and brain function also. Don’t just settle for the most popular pill out there without a good evaluation to determine just where the greatest weakness might be.

I am going to stop writing the articles until September. I hope you all have a good August, and I will see you all in September. Keep doing your homework...it will pay off.

Contact Green Valley Dr. DeWall J. Hildreth at 625-1101 or

cnhcgv@yahoo.com. Dr. Hildreth specializes in hormone balancing and musclo-skeletal degeneration. His column appears biweekly in the Green Valley News, though he is taking August off.