{"id":6760,"date":"2019-06-03T04:48:54","date_gmt":"2019-06-03T04:48:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/?p=6760"},"modified":"2021-06-11T13:51:36","modified_gmt":"2021-06-11T13:51:36","slug":"14-health-effects-of-using-bacopa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/14-health-effects-of-using-bacopa\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Health Effects of Using Bacopa"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Also known as \u201cwater hyssop,\u201d or \u201cBrahmi,\u201d Bacopa Monnier, is a perennial plant with many uses in traditional medicine. This plant is native to the northern regions of India, where it grows in abundance. The Indian people treasure the nootropic effects of the plant, enhancing cognitive functions like decision-making, focus, and creative thinking. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bacopa is a small shrub-like plant with small green leaves. In the springtime, the plant produces small white flowers, with yellow bees in the center of the petals. Supplement manufacturers harvest the plants for the leaves and the flowers, producing extract oil and powdered tablets. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Medical professionals recommend supplementing with Bacopa for anyone dealing with diminished neural capabilities, fatigue, or cognitive disease. Research shows that supplementing with Bacopa increases electrical activity in the brain, allowing you to think faster and solve complex problems in shorter periods. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are eight health benefits of adding Bacopa to your supplement regimen.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Anti-Depressant Properties<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

More than 16-million Americans live with the symptoms of depression<\/a>. This mental illness varies in its intensity and effects from person to person, depending on their mental health history and current environmental factors influencing their position.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

People with depression find it hard to accept help and may become lost in a downward spiral where they may attempt suicide. Depressed people need support and treatment to help them battle mental disease and come out on top of the condition.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Low serotonin levels in the brain play a significant role in developing or exacerbating symptoms of depression. These neurotransmitters make us \u201cfeel good,\u201d stabilizing our mood, allowing us to experience a positive outlook.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Studies show that bacopa supplementation elevates neurotransmitter activity in the brain, increasing the natural production of serotonin. Patients using bacopa supplements every day for a period of 8-weeks showed significant improvement in depression symptoms. Bacopa helps to enhance mental health, by stabilizing mood, improving cognitive function and neurotransmitter activity.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. Soothe Symptoms of Stress and Anxiety<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Our level of exposure to stress plays a significant role in our well-being. Individuals who find themselves involved in high-pressure, stressful situations may start to develop all sorts of physiological and psychological health problems. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

People under significant amounts of stress for most of the day may develop a mental health disorder known as anxiety. Anxiety <\/a>is different from stress because it starts to produce adverse health issues with the cardiovascular and hormonal systems. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

People with a high-anxiety disorder may experience an increase in the hormone cortisol that leads to the development of adrenal fatigue and insomnia. Patients who are already suffering from anxiety, and incur a sleeping disorder as well, are at risk of an acceleration in the decline of their mental health.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Supplementing with bacopa can help the body and mind deal with the effects of stress, especially in high-pressure situations. Bacopa features adaptogenic properties which assist in lowering levels of chronic stress.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Reduce Inflammation<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Under normal circumstances, inflammation <\/a>is a good thing for our bodies. Inflammation helps wounds heal and is a part of metabolic function. However, when inflammation gets out of control, it can have severely detrimental effects on your health. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dietary inflammation is one of the most significant inflammatory issues facing Americans. Eating foods rich in refined carbohydrates inflames the intestinal wall of the digestive system, resulting in symptoms of bloating, gas, and cramps. Gastrointestinal inflammation can spread to other areas of the body where it causes inflammation in the joints, causing symptoms of pain in people who are suffering from the effects of arthritis. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Infection also causes inflammation, as does trauma, such as cuts and bruises \u2013 or tendonitis. Reducing inflammation is a challenge for anyone affected by any of the conditions listed above. However, supplementing with bacopa can help to reduce systemic inflammation, helping the body cope with the effects of infections, cuts, scrapes, and digestive issues by speeding up healing time.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Manage Epilepsy<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

More than 150,000 Americans live with the nervous system disorder, epilepsy. Patients who are suffering from epilepsy <\/a>experience seizures when an environmental trigger induces changes in brain activity, leading to dysfunction in the central nervous system, (CNS.)<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Patients who are suffering from epilepsy may have moments before their seizures where they lose touch with their senses, creating feelings of a loss of awareness. Over the course of your lifetime, there is a 1 in 26 chance that you could receive an epilepsy diagnosis.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The condition is rarely fatal, but it may cause complications with other nervous system disorders. The patient is also at risk of injuring themselves during the onset of a seizure. If no-one is around to help the patient when they experience the seizure, they may fall and hit their head, resulting in a skull fracture. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Supplementing with bacopa alongside your epilepsy medication may help to ensure you don\u2019t experience any seizures in the future. However, bacopa will also reduce the intensity and duration of seizures, should they occur. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Prevent Cognitive Disease<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Nearly 6-million Americans live with some form of dementia, a cognitive disease that leaves the patient a husk of their former self. Alzheimer\u2019s <\/a>disease is the most common form of dementia, with seniors being the high-risk group for developing this cognitive disease.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alzheimer\u2019s causes problems with memory recall, as well as new memory formation. The disease interrupts the normal electrical function of the brain, resulting in numerous cognitive disorders involving thinking and awareness.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a result, seniors in the advanced stages of Alzheimer\u2019s disease may not remember their loved ones, or they may continuously babble on about things that no-one understands. It is a genuinely tragic deterioration of the mind.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

While there is no cure for Alzheimer\u2019s, the patient can use strategies to prevent the onset and development of the condition. Bacopa shows promise in helping slow the progression of the disease. The antioxidants found in bacopa help to clear neural pathways of free radicals that result in oxidative damage to brain cells.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. Regulate Blood Pressure<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

People who are dealing with high blood pressure<\/a> should consider supplementing with bacopa to relieve symptoms of hypertension. People with symptoms of high blood pressure find that they experience low nitric oxide production. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nitric oxide helps to expand blood vessel walls, allowing them to carry more oxygen throughout the body. Nitric oxide also boosts circulation, improving heart health. Supplementing with bacopa assists the endothelium with releasing sufficient levels of nitric oxide into the bloodstream, reducing symptoms of high blood pressure. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s for this reason that many supplement manufacturers include bacopa in their pre-workout formulas. Increasing nitric oxide levels with bacopa supplementation before a workout helps to volumize the muscles, allowing for optimal oxygen delivery during training. This effect increases work rate, enhancing stamina in the gym, and on the sports field.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s important to note that supplementing with bacopa may have some contra-indications with existing blood pressure medications you may be using. Always consult with your doctor before adding a supplement to your diet, especially one as potent as bacopa.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Manage ADHD <\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The American Psychiatric Association, and the CDC, state that between 5 and 11-percent of American children have ADHD<\/a>. Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder is currently the subject of much discussion in the media and among health bloggers.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many Americans are starting to think that doctors may be to easy to jump to a diagnosis of ADHD, without looking into the reasons why the child may be displaying this behavior. Many Americans know little about nutrition, and they may be feeding their child a diet that\u2019s high in sugar and refined carbohydrates.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

These types of diets can leave the child feeling over-stimulated, resulting in similar symptoms to ADHD. Treating your child with pharmaceuticals may not be the best option for solving their attention problems.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Try supplementing with bacopa. It\u2019s a natural alternative to ADHD drugs, and effective at helping children with ADHD manage their behavior. Bacopa regulates the nervous system while maintaining blood pressure, allowing your child to concentrate in class.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. Enhance Focus<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Bacopa <\/a>comes highly regarded among herbalists for its nootropic effects., While consuming bacopa supplements won\u2019t turn you into Bradley Cooper in the movie, \u201cLimitless,\u201d it can help boost the same neural pathways and processes involved in cognitive functions around thinking, memory, and decision-making.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a result, you\u2019ll find bacopa listed among the ingredients of many favorite nootropic products found on the shelf at your local health store. Taking bacopa regularly, in combination with other nootropic products, may help to increase levels of focus and concentration ant work, allowing you to solve problems faster and execute on your decisions without hesitation.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Supplementing with bacopa helps you think clearly, it clears the \u201cbrain-fog\u201d from your mind and allows to dedicate 100-percent of your focus to any task. If you\u2019re feeling down in the dumps at work and looking for an edge to keep you focused, try supplementing with bacopa instead of the 5th cup of coffee.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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9. Antioxidant Properties<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The antioxidant <\/a>properties of the polyphenols found in bacopa are effective against preventing oxidative stress in the body, caused by free radicals. Free radicals are harmful compounds circulating in the bloodstream that bind to cells, causing oxidative damage and cell death. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An example of the oxidative process would be when you get a sunburn on your face. The initial swelling of the skin produces free radicals that bind to skin cells, causing the development of fine lines and wrinkles on your face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By eating or supplementing with foods and herbs that have strong free radical scavenging properties, you reduce the amount of these harmful particles circulating in your bloodstream.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Research shows that supplementing with bacopa has a protective effect on DNA, reducing damage at the cellular level. Bacopa increases the body\u2019s defense against ROS, (Reactive Oxygen Species), eradicating free radicals in rodents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Studies also show that bacopa has a protective effect on DNA, reducing the damage from H2O2 in fibroblasts.
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10. Cardiovascular Protection<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There is convincing research that shows supplementing with bacopa can improve the health of your heart. Research suggests that the polyphenols <\/a>found in bacopa decrease abnormal growth of cells, otherwise known as \u201chyperplasia\u201d in saphenous veins used for reconstruction in bypass grafts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other studies show that supplementing with bacopa could serve as a \u201cthrombolytic agent,\u201d dissolving blood clots in rats. The same studies show that bacopa extract oil reduces levels of cholesterol lipids in rats fed a high-cholesterol diet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bacopa also protects the heart against reductions in blood pressure, as well as ischemia-reperfusion injury in lab rats. Other studies show evidence for the antihypertensive and vasodilator properties found in bacopa that help to protect the arteries from developing CAD.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Supplementing with bacopa may also provide cardiovascular protection against biochemical changes and aortic pathology in the body as well. Since bacopa helps to increase nitric oxide conversion and release from the endothelium, it can significantly reduce symptoms of hypertension.
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11. Boost Immune Function<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Supplementing with bacopa can help to provide your immune system<\/a> with the support it needs to operate at optimum efficiency. More than 70-percent of the immune system resides in the GI tract. Therefore, one of the fastest ways to boost your immune system is to change your diet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Toss out all of the refined carbs like sugar and flour and replace them with nutritious forms of complex carbs like potatoes and rice. Start consuming supplements like fish oil to boost your digestive health as well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adding bacopa powder to your diet is an excellent way to decrease inflammation in the digestive tract and improve the immune response. Supplementing with two to three grams of bacopa powder every day has a positive effect on your immune system, increasing your resistance against infection and disease. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Studies show that bacopa is efficient in managing the symptoms associated with brain inflammation driven by an autoimmune reaction.
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12. Regulate Blood Sugar<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Research suggests that supplementing with bacopa may help to reduce fasted blood glucose levels in prediabetic patients. Diabetes occurs when the pancreas can no longer efficiently produce insulin <\/a>to manage the blood sugar response to digestion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a result, the patient starts to feel tired after a meal, particularly if it contains carbohydrates. If the patient does not receive exogenous insulin after their meal, they may fall into a coma. More than 30-million Americans live with the effects of diabetes on their lives. This disease causes many health complications in patients, including circulatory blood pressure problems in some patients. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Studies show that consuming two to three grams of bacopa powder each morning on an empty stomach can help to significantly lower fasting blood glucose readings. In some cases, regular use of bacopa, in conjunction with a balanced, calorie-restrictive diet, may reverse prediabetes in some patients, returning them to normal levels of pancreatic function.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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13. Anti-Microbial Properties<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Studies on bacopa extract oil show that it has potent anti-microbial properties that fight off infection from a variety of bacterial, viral, and fungal pathogens<\/a>. Research on the effects of bacopa on toxic black mold, (Aspergillus niger), and Candida albicans show it has strong anti-fungal properties. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mix some of the essential oil with purified water and keep it in a spray bottle. Spray the liquid on the black mold to kill it off and prevent its spread throughout your home. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other studies show that bacopa exhibits potent antibacterial properties, preventing the spread of Vibrio cholera in laboratory tests. Consuming bacopa powder also has a potent anti-microbial effect on harmful bacteria in the gut. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Studies show that bacopa exhibits anti-Helicobacter pylori activity, preventing this dangerous bacterium from spreading in the digestive system, causing the onset of gastric ulcers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The alcohol extract of bacopa shows promise in fighting off aggressive bacterial strains, such as Staphylococcus aureus. The extract protects the skin from infection while boosting the health of the immune system, giving the body the ammunition it needs to fight off the infection.
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14. Treatment for Bronchitis<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Bronchitis <\/a>infection affects the respiratory system, causing an increase in the production of mucus that blocks the bronchial tubes. These tubes connect to the alveoli \u2013 the small sacs in your lungs responsible for the task of gaseous exchange of oxygen and CO2.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a result of the infection, bronchitis patients may find that they develop a cough, and they may wheeze when breathing. If left untreated, bronchitis can progress to the chronic form of the condition that may last for months. In severe cases, the patient may develop pneumonia, presenting them with a life-threatening situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Diffusing with bacopa oil extract is an excellent way to open the airways and provide your lungs with relief from the inflammation caused by bronchitis infection. The polyphenols in the oil extract enter the lungs, helping to break up phlegm and reduce irritation in the bronchial tubes. Repeat this treatment twice a day in the morning and evening for best results.
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