Feeding Our Brains for Better Health

Few will argue that our brains are one of our most important organs of the body. Weighing only 3 pounds, it controls thousands of reactions per second through every system and organ of the body to maintain health and well-being. Feed it what it needs, and it functions like a well-oiled machine but supplying it with less-than-optimal nutrition, exercise, negative thoughts and stress will have you running on half empty.

As we age, all the cells of our body work less efficiently. Hormones, our immune system, cardiovascular system, bones and joints are all prone to breaking done. While slowing of cognition and some short-term memory loss occur with normal aging, there is also an increase in pathological cognitive decline, known as dementia. Over the years, many drugs have come to the market to slow down the progression of cognitive decline. All have failed. Yet a large body of research has shown how lifestyle modification can actually play an important role in reversing this decline. Think of it, by making some easy life choices you can not only maintain your health and well-being, but also improve your brain activity.

The following is a list of only some of the lifestyle changes one can make in order to prevent our brains from premature aging.

1. Exercise - moderate amounts of exercise, 30 minutes at 3 times a week increases oxygen to the brain and helps to form certain growth factors necessary for what is referred to as brain “Plasticity”
2. Meditation and stress reduction techniques - helps control the excessive release of the major stress hormone, cortisol.
3. Diet - avoid processed foods, sugar, saturated fats, stop smoking, limit alcohol intake, increase your consumption of fish which are high in omega 3 fatty acids, increase your intake of fruits, nuts, seeds and grains, all high in antioxidants and plant chemicals which protect cells from premature aging.
4. Exercise your brain - engage in playing board games, crossword puzzles, reading
5. Maintain and make new friends - having friends to spend time with and engage in social activities has been shown to prevent loneliness and lower stress.
6. Sleep - Try to get 6-8 hours of good quality sleep nightly. Try going to sleep at the same time each night and don’t eat before retiring for the night.
7. Get a pet - The company of a pet can do wonders for your overall health and well-being.

Our brain is a marvelous organ that needs to be keep young and alive. Following some of the above rules will only help maintain your brain health but improve your mood and prevent brain aging.