b'CODING Update ComplianceLEGAL NUTRITIONUpdateANJC NewsANJC Leadership ANJC News! NUTRITIONConcussion Treatment: LEGAL EASENatural Ways to Manage a Concussion By Dr. Robert G. Silverman with Diet and SupplementsREHAB UpdateConcussion management with diet and supplementsThe brain serves as the command center of the human body, ANJC Scholarships managing the nervous system, sending signals to the bodysThe brain is highly dependent on nutrients and energy. It is muscles, and receiving messages from the bodys sensoryalso highly vulnerable to toxins and stress. A brain injury can organs.(1)The brains white matter (the axons and dendritesdisrupt the brain-gut connection, a bidirectional communica-of the nerve fibers) acts as the subway system of the brain,tion network between the brain and gastrointestinal system, connecting different regions of grey matter and carryingpotentially resulting in increased intestinal permeability, CHIRO Assist inflammation, reduced gastrointestinal motility, and nerve impulses between neurons.Concussions are traumatic brain injuries caused by anybacterial overgrowth.(38)The following nutrients and dietary LEGAL Q&A sufficiently hard blow to the head.(2)The rapid movement ofsupplements have been shown to support brain health and Executive Directors Update the brain can cause the neurons to tear and brain tissues tocontribute to brain injury recovery and reduce pain associ-change shape, which can damage the brain cells. ated with concussions.2020 ANJC AWARDS Did you know?These two primary goals for post-concussion nutritionhealing the structural damage from the concussion while managing the inflammatory status of the brain to prevent Legislative Update long-term damagecan be achieved through natural reme-dies, including dietary supplements.INSURANCE Update INSURANCE Update CreatineTECHNIQUE Update Creatine, an amino acid best known for its muscle perfor- (3)mance benefits, may offer some neuroprotective benefits. It maintains the health of the mitochondria in the brain and improves the brains blood flow, addressing both the concus-sions short- and long-term effects. Creatine gives the brain an immediate boost of energy to heal its cells and is especially MedicareQ&AMedicare Update Did you know? known to improve post-concussion amnesia.(3)Creatine can OUR HEALTH be found in foods such as seafood, red meat, and chicken.(13)Concussions can also cause changes to the metabolic andOmega-3 fatty acidschemical makeup of the brain, which can affect the cellsOmega-3 fatty acids, found in foods such as fish, nuts (e.g., ability to communicate and even to function normally. Thiswalnuts), vegetable oils, leafy vegetables, flax seeds, and can lead to apoptosis (cell death), mitochondrial dysfunction,(25)oxidative stress, and ultimately, cognitive impairment.(10) flaxseed oil, support cell membrane health and act as a neuroprotective agent. They improve the integrity of the Concussion symptoms brains white matter and increase the volume of grey matter While concussions can cause immediate symptoms, such asin the frontal, temporal, parietal, and limbic areas of the brain, a temporary loss of consciousness, headaches, and dizziness,improving brain structure and function, especially in older some effects can continue days or even weeks after theadults.(35)Omega-3s also increase brain-derived neurotrophic event. This is called a post-concussive syndrome, and itsfactor (BDNF), a protein related to nerve growth.(35)signs and symptoms include: DHA, or docosahexaenoic acid, is a type of omega-3 fattyBlurred visionacid that is an integral part of the structure of the brain, espe- Decreased sense of taste and smell (rare)cially the cerebral cortex. According to some animal studies,Difficulty concentrating TBIs can reduce DHA in the brain, resulting in slower recoveryDizziness following an injury.(11)Supplementing DHA, specifically, mayFatigue reduce axonal and neuronal damage, apoptosis, oxidativeHeadaches stress, cognitive impairment, and neurotransmitter decline.(28) Insomnia Lastly, DHA helps the brain heal, particularly by buildingIrritability robust and flexible cell membranes in neurons. Interestingly,Memory loss people with high DHA levels are less likely to sustain Sensitivity to light and noise(4) concussions. 16 I Summer 2021 www.anjc.info'