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“Mango Leaf Reversed My Memory Loss — And Now I’m Sharper Than Ever At Age 86!”

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“Mango Leaf Reversed My Memory Loss — And Now I’m Sharper Than Ever At Age 86!”

“I don’t believe it,” Leni Hayes sighed as she retrieved her car keys from her freezer, gazing at them in disbelief. “How in the world did these get in here?”

For the 86-year-old Bellingham, Washington resident, confusing moments like this were increasing in frequency — and troubling her more and more. Lately, she found herself having to search for words, misplacing essential items, like keys and money, and was embarrassed to admit she had even left her purse behind at the grocery store…multiple times.

A retired nurse, Leni couldn’t help but ask the question: What is wrong with me? On its face, there wasn’t much troubling her physically. Except for a diagnosis of atrial fibrillation, a type of heart arrhythmia that causes an irregular, often rapid heart rate and poor blood flow, Leni had always enjoyed excellent health. She had learned that her condition could lead to cognitive decline over time, but her doctor assured her that the blood thinners he had prescribed would help combat this risk.

To boot, Leni was also doing everything she knew to protect her brain health: daily walks, including house walking in inclement weather, gardening and socializing with friends at the senior center. And she was grateful to still be able to drive herself to appointments and church and do her own grocery shopping.

The symptoms of memory loss that made Leni worry

When Leni started being unable to balance her checkbook or follow beloved family recipes from her home country of Germany, panic, frustration and even depression set in. “I can’t lose my independence!” she despaired to her children, who had also noticed the changes and had begun to worry themselves, even suggesting she seek medical attention.

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But the last time Leni had even hinted at feeling blue to her doctor, the only thing he had to offer her were prescription antidepressants. She had refused at the time due to the potential side effects, and this time, she would not make the same mistake again. “I have to find a solution to my memory issues — and fast.”

The simple solution that changed everything for Leni

At their weekly lunch outing one week, Leni’s daughter pulled a blue bottle from her purse and gave her a comforting hug. “I think I have something that may help you, Mom,” she said, as she handed Leni a bottle of Brain Fog Relief by Life Extension ($19 for a 30-day supply on Amazon).

At first, Leni wasn’t convinced it would help her. Her daughter explained that the capsules contained a brain-enhancing nutrient called mango leaf extract. Mango leaves…how can a mango help my brain? Leni wondered, skeptically. Keep reading to discover what a huge difference mango leaf ended up making on Leni’s life.

Leaves on a mango treeKITTIPONG SOMKLANG/Sutterstock

What are the benefits of mango leaf extract?

In many indigenous cultures, mango leaves are lauded for their nutritional value, eaten and made into teas. While most of us know mangos as the sweet, tropical fruit indigenous to India, Asia, Africa and South America, it turns out that the leaves of Mangifera indica, a particular species, have been used since ancient times to treat everything from diabetes to memory loss.

Mango leaves are a potent source of several beneficial plant compounds including polyphenols and terpenoids — the latter of which are beneficial for immunity and vision. But, as Leni’s experience demonstrates, where mango leaf really shines is brain health.

The leaves of the mango plant are particularly high in one polyphenol in particular: mangiferin. Also known as mango leaf extract, mangiferin is an antioxidant that helps protect the brain by reducing oxidative stress and brain inflammation.

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In fact, a study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology revealed that those subjects who took mangiferin had increased activity in regions of the brain associated with cognitive processing, attention and memory.

A study in the journal Nutrients found that people who supplemented with 300 mg of mangiferin experienced significant improvements in mental alertness, focus and reaction time for up to six hours.

In plain language, mango leaf extract has been shown to calm inflammation in the brain so that folks can think more clearly and remember more of what they learn. And as Leni soon discovered, the benefits of mango leaves were more varied than she every could have imagined.

What is the best way to consume mango leaves?

For Leni, the particularly potent blend of the capsules — which combined mango leaf extract and peppermint oil — was intriguing. But capsules aren’t the only option: Since mangiferin dissolves well in water, mango leaves can be easily extracted into infusions or be sipped as tea. One to try: Mango Leaf Tea by Palm Beach Herbals ($15, Amazon).

The amazing benefits Leni received from mango leaves

For several days, Leni stared at the blue bottle on her kitchen table, unsure of whether or not try it. “What have I got to lose?” she said to herself. “I’m determined to be independent as long as possible,” she vowed. “It can’t hurt to try.”

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After clearing it with her doctor, Leni took her first capsule with breakfast and went out for her daily walk. She was skeptical and unsure if it was helping, but kept taking the mango leaf supplement, enjoying the fact that it did not contain caffeine or make her feel at all jittery.

And after the first week, Leni was pleasantly surprised to notice she easily recalled the names and faces of others she would encounter on her walks and she felt more confident and focused. All at once, daily tasks like cooking and paying bills were no longer a challenge.

Thrilled, Leni continued to take her mango extract every morning with breakfast, and today, she feels sharper than ever. “If I happen to miss a dose, I can tell the difference,” she shares. “I never want to be without it — the mango is a miracle!”

mangoes
Mangos leaves and fruitsjapansainlook/Shutterstock

More study-backed benefits of mango leaves

Regulates insulin: Mangiferin (mango leaf extract) prods the pancreas to release a steady supply of insulin, improving blood sugar control. Researchers have found that taking magniferin daily slashed blood-sugar spikes that can trigger cravings and fatigue by 57 percent.

Jumpstarts metabolism: Scientists at the Stanford University School of Medicine say mangiferin helps pre-digest fatty foods, freeing up the liver to focus on crucial tasks like boosting fat burn and flushing out metabolism-slowing toxins.

Repairs skin: A powerful antioxidant, mangiferin promotes healing of damaged skin cells and speeds the growth of healthy new tissue, say researchers in the scientific journal PloS One. The result? A youthful glow and fewer wrinkles.

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This content is not a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis. Always consult your physician before pursuing any treatment plan.

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Mini-strokes may cause surprising long-term health issue, experts warn

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Mini-strokes may cause surprising long-term health issue, experts warn

Prolonged fatigue could indicate poor sleep habits — but it could also be a lingering effect of mini-strokes.

That’s according to a new study from Aalborg University Hospital in Denmark, which was published this week in Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology (AAN). 

A mini-stroke — medically known as a transient ischemic attack (TIA) — is a temporary blockage of blood flow to the brain that causes a “short period of symptoms,” according to Mayo Clinic.

STROKE, DEMENTIA AND DEPRESSION SHARE THESE 17 PREVENTABLE RISK FACTORS

The study found that people who experience a TIA are more likely to report prolonged fatigue lasting up to one year.

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“Patients with a presumed transient event reported fatigue at levels comparable to a stroke,” lead study author Birgitte Hede Ebbesen, PT, PhD, a physiotherapist at Aalborg University Hospital, told Fox News Digital. 

A new study found that people who experience a mini-stroke are more likely to report prolonged fatigue lasting up to one year. (iStock)

The researchers followed 354 people averaging 70 years of age who had experienced a mini-stroke. 

Over a 12-month period, the participants reported their level of fatigue in five areas: overall tiredness, physical tiredness, reduced activity, reduced motivation and mental fatigue, according to a university press release. 

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On a scale ranging from 4 to 20 — with 20 being the most fatigued — the participants reported an average score of 12.3 in the two weeks after the mini-stroke, 11.9 at three months, 11.4 at six months and 11.1 at the one-year mark.

Two weeks after the mini-stroke, 61% reported high levels of fatigue. At three, six and 12 months, 54% said they experienced fatigue.

Man holding head

Two weeks after the mini-stroke, 61% reported high levels of fatigue. At three, six and 12 months, 54% said they experienced fatigue. (iStock)

Those who reported prolonged fatigue were twice as likely to have experienced anxiety and/or depression, the study found. Some also reported 

“We had encountered fatigue among patients with TIA in clinical settings, so we knew it was there — but the frequency still surprised us,” Modrau told Fox News Digital.

FEELING EXTRA TIRED? THIS VIRUS COULD BE THE CULPRIT, STUDY SUGGESTS

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“Long-term fatigue was common in our group of study participants, and we found that if people experience fatigue within two weeks of leaving the hospital, it is likely they will continue to have fatigue for up to a year.”

Based on these findings, Modrau suggests that people diagnosed with a transient ischemic attack should be monitored for lingering fatigue in the ensuing weeks and months. 

Stroke in brain

A mini-stroke — medically known as a transient ischemic attack (TIA) — is a temporary blockage of blood flow to the brain that causes a “short period of symptoms,” according to Mayo Clinic. (iStock)

“This could help us better understand who might struggle with fatigue long-term and require further care.”

The more commonly known symptoms of stroke include face drooping, arm weakness or slurred speech, which usually resolve within a day, according to Modrau. Some patients also reported long-term cognitive issues.

Causes of post-stroke fatigue

Bradley Serwer, an interventional cardiologist and chief medical officer at VitalSolution, an Ingenovis Health company that offers cardiovascular and anesthesiology services to hospitals nationwide, confirmed that fatigue is very common — and sometimes “debilitating” — following a stroke.  

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“Fatigue is multifactorial and can rarely be attributed to a single cause,” Serwer, who was not involved in the study, told Fox News Digital. 

“Fatigue is multifactorial and can rarely be attributed to a single cause.”

The Maryland-based cardiologist shared the following potential reasons for fatigue following a mini-stroke.

Brain healing: “After a stroke, the brain tries to heal itself,” Serwer said. “This process causes the brain to work harder to ‘rewire’ itself, which results in a higher demand for energy. This often leaves patients feeling drained or fatigued.”

Increased inflammation: This can occur due to the immune response following a TIA.

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Woman tired during day

Reduced levels of chemicals like serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine can result in depression, fatigue or lack of motivation. (iStock)

Lower levels of neurotransmitters in the brain: Reduced levels of chemicals like serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine can result in depression, fatigue or lack of motivation, according to Serwer.

Sleep disturbances: “These are very common after a stroke and can lead to significant sleep deprivation,” the cardiologist said.

Medications: Drugs used to treat strokes may have adverse side effects, including fatigue. “Betablockers are excellent blood pressure medications and are often prescribed after a stroke or heart attack, but they may cause notable fatigue,” Serwer noted.

Other factors: “Simple tasks may require more mental effort than before the injury,” the cardiologist said. “Depression or anxiety after a stroke can also be a confounding predictor of fatigue.”

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Potential limitations

The study did have some limitations, the researchers noted.

“It is an observational study and therefore we cannot determine causality,” Modrau said. 

“Results are based on self-reported questionnaires, and we cannot be certain that relatives didn’t help fill them out or influence results.”

Woman taking medication

Drugs used to treat strokes may have adverse side effects, including fatigue. (iStock)

The researchers also did not have information on pre-TIA fatigue levels, although previous studies suggested that it was “much more frequent” after mini-strokes.

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Looking ahead, Modrau said she hopes healthcare providers begin to acknowledge lasting fatigue after TIA and provide care pathways for these patients.

For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health

“Up until now, patients with lasting challenges after TIA have been left alone in many cases,” she told Fox News Digital.

“We as a society should start to acknowledge their difficulties instead of viewing them as ‘the lucky ones,’” she continued. “My aim with this study has been to give these patients a voice – and to start to listen to their struggles.”

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We Tried Three Doctor-Approved, Ozempic-Friendly Recipes | Woman's World

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