| How to Increase CREB Protein Posted: 26 Sep 2017 05:00 PM PDT Increasing the amount of CREB protein (also known as the cAMP response element binding protein) in your body can greatly improve your memory and learning abilities. A lack of CREB protein is tied to memory loss, anxiety, and different forms of dementia. Maintaining healthy eating, exercise, and sleeping patterns is key to the production and activation of CREB protein. Supplements like cinnamon, blueberry extract, and butyrate can also boost your CREB protein levels. EditMaintaining a Healthy Lifestyle - Consult your doctor. Maintaining your health is important, particularly if you suspect that you might have a CREB protein deficiency. Cognitive or psychological issues (e.g. anxiety) may be due in part to a lag in CREB protein activation, and can be treated with medications or targeted therapies. Visit a doctor if you experience memory, learning, or concentration issues, or if you want more information about boosting your CREB protein levels.[1]
- CREB protein levels are typically measured by way of a Western blot test, which is performed in a laboratory using a cell or tissue sample. This test can be ordered by your physician, or requested at a private laboratory.[2]
- Contact private clinics or laboratories in your area for price quotes for a Western blot test.
- Eat healthy food at regular times. The body's production of CREB protein depends on the healthy functioning of the metabolic energy cycle. To keep this cycle running at peak capacity, eat a balanced and low-fat diet that is high in nutrients. It is equally important to eat at regular times of the day to keep your metabolic activity in check, which you can facilitate by keeping a food diary.[3]
- Keep your metabolism on track by eating meals and snacks at the same time every day.
- Opt for snacks and meals that contain fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein (e.g. a turkey sandwich on whole grain bread, with an apple and carrot sticks on the side).
- Stay away from high fat, processed foods (e.g. fast food fare like hamburgers and fries).
- Exercise regularly. Exercise creates a molecular response in the body that can increase the activation of CREB protein.[4] Aim for 150 minutes of moderate exercise every week, or 75 minutes of vigorous physical activity. Moderate exercise may include things like walking or swimming, while more vigorous exercise could include running, jumping rope, or taking a spin class.[5]
- For instance, go for 30 minute walks five days a week to get moderate exercise.
- For an example of a more vigorous exercise routine, do 25 minute sessions of jump rope three times a week.
- Balance your Circadian Rhythm. Your Circadian Rhythm is an internal process that regulates when you feel sleepy and alert during the day, and at what times you sleep. Maintaining a healthy rhythm is key to regulating your eating habits and giving your body enough energy for exercise. Keep your Circadian Rhythm in check by:[6]
- Keeping a consistent sleep schedule (i.e. going to bed and waking up at the same time every day)
- Steering clear of electronic devices close to your bedtime, which simulate daylight and adversely affect your body's sleep instincts
- Exposing yourself to bright light in the morning to wake up (e.g. opening the blinds, going outside for walk)
- Avoiding all-nighters
EditTaking Nutritional Supplements - Take butyrate supplements. Butyrate is a short-chain fatty acid that has a wealth of health benefits, including the increased production of CREB protein in the body. Ask your doctor if butyrate supplements (available over the counter at pharmacies and health stores) are right for you. Alternatively, try to infuse butyrate into your diet naturally by increasing your consumption of high fiber vegetables and dairy fats (e.g. butter, heavy cream).[7]
- Eat cinnamon. Consuming cinnamon may increase the body's production of CREB protein, making it a subject of research surrounding diseases like Alzheimer's. Cinnamon can be metabolized into a non-toxic form of sodium-benzoate, a chemical approved by the FDA to treat brain damage. Purchase cinnamon supplements from a pharmacy or health store, or introduce cinnamon into your everyday diet by:
- Ingest blueberry extract. Blueberry extract has been shown to improve cognitive function and increase CREB protein activation on the body. The compound can be consumed in food form, or more easily in supplement form (i.e. pure blueberry extract powder or isolated anthocyanins derived from the extract). For the best results, aim to consume between 5.5 and 11g of blueberry extract per day, 500 to 1,000mg of isolated anthocyanins, or 60-120g of fresh berries.[8]
- Don't just take pure cinnamon powder. It can cause you to choke.
- Alcohol can temporarily boost CREB protein levels in the body, but the effects are short-term and may be harmful in the long run.
- Do not take medical supplements without consulting a doctor first.
EditSources and Citations
Cite error: <ref> tags exist, but no <references/> tag was found
|
| How to Improve Mental Math Skills Posted: 26 Sep 2017 09:00 AM PDT Eventually, you'll find yourself in a situation where you'll have to solve a math problem without a calculator. Even if you're good at math, mental math can be incredibly difficult to do. To solve problems in your head, you'll need an entirely new set of strategies and methods that differ from what you were taught in school. Luckily, if you study the basics and use mental math strategies, you can improve your skills and solve complex calculations in your head. EditUsing Mental Math Tricks - Visualize the equation in your head. The first step in solving a math problem in your head is to visualize the problem mentally. Imagine the numbers and the equation in your head. As you solve portions of the problem, visualize the new numbers that you're working with. Repeating numbers mentally or verbally, in a whisper, will also help you to remember more significant numbers in the equation.[1]
- Add and subtract from left to right. You were probably taught to add and subtract from right to left, but doing it this way is actually harder mentally. Instead, calculate the left numbers first, then subtract or add the right numbers together.The left number will form the left digit in your solution while the right number will be the second digit.[2]
- For instance, to add 52+43, you can add 5+4=9 and 2+3=5, for a total sum of 95.
- If subtracting 93-22, subtract 9-2=7 and then 3-2=1 for a total of 71.
- If you have to carry over numbers, add them to the first digit solution. For instance, when adding 99+87, you could add 9+8 first to get 17, then 9+7 to get 16. Because you know you have to carry the 1 over, your first number would become 18, for a full solution of 186.
- Count the common zeros when adding or subtracting. When adding, you can find common zeros in the equation and remove them to solve an equation easier. For instance, if you had 120-70, you could remove the zeros to get 12-7=5, then add the common zero back on to get the solution or 50.[3]
- Another example is if you had 300+200, you could remove the common zeros to get 3+2=5, then add them back on to get the answer or 500.
- Simplify and add all the zeros when multiplying. When multiplying, you can simplify the number if zeros follow it. For instance, if you had 3000x50 you could simplify it to 3x5=15, then add together all the zeros and put it on the end of the product to get 150,000.[4]
- Another example is if you had 70x60, you could do 7x6=42 then add the zeros to get 4,200.
- Round numbers up and then subtract the difference when adding. You can round numbers up, then subtract the added value to make it easier to solve complex addition problems when the value of the number is greater than 100. For instance, if you had to solve 596+380, you could add 4 to 596, so your equation looks like 600+380=980, which is easier to visualize. Then, go back and subtract 4 from your sum, 980, to get 976 or the sum of 596+380.[5]
- Another example would be if you had 558+305. Round 558 to 560 so that your equation is 560+305 = 865. Then, subtract 2 to your sum of 865 to get 863.
- Simplify complex numbers when multiplying. You don't always have to do the exact math that you're presented with. Complex or uneven numbers can make calculations more difficult. For example, if you have to multiply 12x36, you can simplify the numbers to make it easier to do in your head. 12 can become 10 so that you have 10x36 which equals 360. Then you can take the remainder that you didn't calculate or 2 and multiply that by 36, which equals 72. Finally, add 360+72 to equal 432. This may be easier than doing long form multiplication in your head.[6]
- Simplify percentages into even numbers. Break down percentages into smaller parts if at all possible. For instance, if you need to calculate a 15% of 40, you can figure out 10% of 40, which is 4. Then, because the remaining 5% is half of 10%, you can assume that 5% of 40 is 2. Add 4+2 = 6 or 15% of 40.[7]
- Estimate when an exact calculation isn't necessary. Estimating the solution is often much easier than trying to work out an exact solution. Try rounding complex numbers to their whole numbers, then solving the equation. If you're in a situation when finding the exact solution isn't necessary or you have limited time to solve the equation, use estimation to get close to the actual number.[8]
- For instance, if you had to add 7.07+8.95+10.09, you could round to the closest numbers and estimate that the solution was close to 26.
- Associate equations with money to solve them. Since there are 100 cents in a dollar, you can easily use this knowledge to solve math equations. For instance, you may not know what 100-25 is off the top of your head, but you probably know how much money you'd have if you removed a quarter from four quarters. Associate the numbers in the equation with money if applicable.
EditStudying and Practicing to Improve - Memorize your multiplication tables. When you memorize your multiplication tables, you'll have the answer to simple multiplication problems instantly. This will improve the speed at which you can solve smaller components of a more complex math problem. If you're rusty on your multiplication tables, study them until you know all single digit multiplication problems.[9]
- Memorize the first 20 squares. A squares chart will show what 1-20 is multiplied by itself. Memorizing the chart will allow you to solve simple square equations in your head. You can also use squares to help you get an estimate for more complex multiplication problems.[10]
- For example, if you have to solve 18x19 you can use 19², then subtract 18 to get the solution.
- Use flashcards. If you're struggling with your multiplication or division tables, flashcards are a great way to memorize common math problems. Determine what you're struggling with and then write down the equation on a card. On the back of the card, write the solution. Practice going through the flashcards with a partner so that you can use instant recall for more common math equations.[11]
- Practice mental math every day. Practicing two or three complex mental math equations per day will keep your mind sharp and will vastly improve your mental math skills. Make a concerted effort to do more mental math in different situations to build the skill. After a month, you should feel more comfortable doing mental math.[12]
- Take mental math quizzes online. There are apps and websites that are dedicated to sharpening your mental math skills. Look online for highly accredited apps or websites and use their online tools to help you drill common mental math equations.
EditPracticing Mental Math when Purchasing Things - Practice basic addition and subtraction to estimate your receipt. Keep track of the cost of things that you purchase at the store before you get to the cashier. Add the cost of items together and keep a running tally of your overall costs. When you get the receipt for your goods, compare your mental math with the actual cost of what you purchased.[13]
- For instance, if your cereal costs $3.99 and soap costs $9.49, your total cost would be $13.48.
- Use multiplication to calculate the cost of gas. Wait until your tank is almost empty, then multiply the cost of gas by your tank size. For instance, if you had a 12-gallon tank, and gas was $3.50 you could multiply 12x$3.50 = $42. You can also cover up the cost of the gas on the pump while looking at the gallons and use mental math to calculate your total cost.[14]
- You can use multiplication to figure out costs if you're buying more than one of the same item.
- For instance, if you bought 4 candy bars for 2 dollars each, you'd have 4x$2.00 = $8.00.
- Use sales and discounts to practice percents. Round the cost of the product to the nearest dollar, and calculate the percentage of the sale. For instance, if there was a 7% discount on a $9.65 item, you could round up to $10. 7% of 10 is 0.7 or 70 cents, which is approximately how much you'd save.[15]
- Ten percent off of $9.65 is actually 0.67 cents.
- If you are buying a case of water that costs $5 and it's 25% off, your savings would be $1.25.
- Use mental division to split a bill. If you need to split a bill, you can divide the bill by the number of people who have to pay to determine how much each person owes. For instance, if you had a heating bill that cost $125.36 and you have 4 roommates, you'd divide $125.36 by 4 to get $31.34.[16]
- If you wanted to break down the equation to make it easier, work on the dollar amounts first, then the cents.
- Breakdown $125 to $100 to make it easier to divide by 4 or $100/4=25. Then divide $25/4 to get the remaining numbers that you're missing. Add the remainder or $6 to $25 to get the whole number of $31.
EditSources and Citations
Cite error: <ref> tags exist, but no <references/> tag was found
|
| How to Guess on a Test Posted: 26 Sep 2017 01:00 AM PDT If you're stumped on a hard test question, guessing strategically can improve your chances of choosing the right answer. Look for context clues throughout the test that can help you with a tricky problem. Choose answers that seem familiar, even if it's just a subtle feeling of deja vu. Look for patterns in true or false questions, and go with false if a question includes absolutes, such as "all" or "none." When guessing on multiple choice questions, use processes of elimination, look for grammatical clues and, when in doubt, go with the most detailed choice. EditGuessing on True or False Tests - Answer the questions you know first. You'll obviously want to answer as many questions as possible without running out of time. In addition, knowing the right answers to the questions above and below a tricky true or false problem can help you find a pattern. Guessing based on a true or false pattern is better than just guessing randomly.[1]
- Choose the opposite answer if the surrounding answers are the same. Suppose you know the answers above and below a tricky question are both true. Chances are, the correct response to the tricky question is false. There is a low probability that the same correct response will appear three times in a row.[2]
- Guess false if there's an absolute modifier. Absolute modifiers are words that don't allow for exceptions, such as all, everyone, never, and always. There aren't many things that always happen without any exceptions, so questions that have absolutes are usually false.[3]
- When a question with an absolute modifier is true, it's often a well-known, common sense fact that doesn't make for a good test question.
- Guess true if you see words like some, most, or a few. In-between words, as opposed to absolutes, are more likely to be true. If a statement allows for exceptions, it's more probable that it's true at least some of the time.[4]
- Other in-between words include usually, often, seldom, and frequently.
- Choose true if you're totally stumped. Go with true if none of the other true/false tips apply, and you have no clue what the answer is. Recalling a fact is easier than inventing a falsehood, so test makers tend to include more true answers than false.[5]
- For instance, if you're stumped on a question with no absolute or in-between modifiers, and if the answer above is true and the one below is false, your best bet is to go with true.
EditGuessing on Multiple Choice Tests - Make a guess before looking at potential answers. When you first read a question, try not to look at the choices or cover them with your hand. Try to make a guess off of the top of your head. Then, read the choices and see if any of them are close to your guess.[6]
- Eliminate outliers and the highest and lowest numbers. Rule out choices that are funny, obviously wrong, or seem totally out of left field. If the possible answers are numbers, rule out the highest and lowest choices, then guess between the options left in the middle range.[7]
- Look for grammatical clues. It might seem like a no brainer, but a test maker might occasionally overlook a question that only makes grammatical sense with one answer. Read the question and possible answers carefully, and eliminate the choices that don't match the question's grammar.[8]
- For instance, if a question asks, "A salamander is an," and "amphibian" is the only choice that starts with a vowel, you'll know it's the right answer.
- Choose the longest possible answer. If one choice is longer and more detailed the others, it's probably the correct choice. Sometimes, the right choice has to include more details so it's always correct without any doubt.[9]
- For example, suppose a driver's test asks: Which lane you should be in when turning right?
A. The left lane
B. The center lane
C. The lane closest to the direction of your turn
D. Any lane - Guess "all of the above" if it only appears once on the test. If only one question has an "all" or "none of the above" choice, that's probably the right answer.[10] However, use your best judgement if you're confident that at least one choice doesn't fit.
- If you're completely stumped and can't rule out any choices, going with all or none could offer a good probability of choosing correctly. When all or none of the above are choices in every question, they're the correct response as often as 65% percent of the time.[11]
EditMaking Educated Guesses - Ask to see past exams. Ask if your teacher keeps past exams on file and if they'd be willing to share them with you. You can get a feel for the types of questions they ask and look for patterns in correct answers.[12]
- Keep in mind that it's always better to study the material instead of trying to outsmart your teacher. If you have a choice between studying your notes or figuring out how often "True" is the right answer, go with studying.
- Find out if blank answers are marked incorrect. Ask your teacher or find out whether your standardized test takes points off for blank answers. Some test makers discourage guessing by deducting points only for incorrect responses. If you don't get points off for a blank response, it's best not to guess.[13]
- The SAT used to have a guess penalty. It ignored blank responses and deducted points only for wrong answers. However, College Board got rid of the guess penalty in 2016.[14] The PSAT, ACT, and AP tests don't use a guess penalty either. For each of these tests, you get a point for a correct answer and zero points for a blank or incorrect answer.[15]
- Standardized tests are subject to change, so make sure you know if an updated test includes a guess penalty.
- Answer questions you know before making guesses. Time management is often a key test taking factor. Instead of spending too much time trying to make a good guess on a tricky question, breeze through all the questions you can answer confidently. You wouldn't want to run out of time and leave an easy question blank.[16]
- Look for context clues in the rest of the test. You might find a clue to a tricky question elsewhere in a test. Other questions might jog your memory or give you a context clue that shines a spotlight on the right answer to a hard question.[17]
- For example, suppose a multiple choice question asks if a weta is a plant, insect, fish, or mammal. A later question asks, "How many species of weta have entomologists identified?" If you know entomologists study insects, you'll know the answer to the earlier question.
- Go with an answer that seems familiar. Sometimes the right answer will trigger a feeling of deja vu. If you're torn between a familiar answer and one with terms you've never seen before, choose the one that rings a bell.[18]
EditSources and Citations
Cite error: <ref> tags exist, but no <references/> tag was found
|
-Step-10-Version-2.jpg)
-Step-17.jpg)
No comments:
Post a Comment