Simple lifestyle choices can help keep your
mind sharp and your body in shape as you age.
Follow
these 12 easy tips:
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Feed
your mind |
It
needs nourishment to stay fit. Pump up on these cognitive-enhancing nutrients:
-
Super antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties
make blueberries the perfect brain berry.
-
Dark green, leafy vegetables like
spinach and kale are
rich in folate and B vitamins.
-
Cruciferous veggies (think broccoli and
cauliflower) can help prevent memory decline.
-
Healthy fats found in salmon, nuts, olive and canola oil can lower inflammation
and cholesterol and protect the brain.
 |
What's good for the
heart is good for
the brain |
Controlling your cholesterol and blood pressure, through
diet or medication -- or both -- can help cut down the accumulation of the beta
amyloid protein in the brain, one of the hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease.
 |
Gone
fishing |
The body of evidence keeps growing. Fish oil is a mighty machine in the war
against aging. DHA, the omega-3 fatty acid found in cold-water fish, helps slow
the growth of brain lesions associated with Alzheimer's disease. Eat fish at
least once a week for best results.
 |
Use
your noggin |
Join a
book club, learn a foreign language, or start a new hobby. Any mental stimulation
will help sharpen your brain.
 |
Move it or lose
it |
You
don't need to run a marathon, but doing a variety of exercises three times
a week keeps the blood moving, which helps delay cognitive decline.
 |
Sleep on
it |
Stronger
memory and increased attention spans are the benefits of a good night's rest. Six or more hours of sleep will help
replenish the neurotransmitters that are responsible for learning and problem
solving.
 |
Bottoms
up |
Improve your cognitive skills by drinking a glass of wine a day. If fruit juice is
your thing, drink it fresh for similar benefits.
 |
All the tea in
China |
Black
tea, and
especially green tea, is an effective weapon against the formation of the
brain-clogging plaques that cause Alzheimer's disease. Java junkies need not
despair! Caffeine in moderation can enhance mental performance.
 |
Spice it
up |
Turmeric, a spice common in
Indian cuisine, contains the active ingredient curcumin that helps reduce
inflammation in the brain and minimize the risk of Alzheimer's.
 |
Don't sweat the small
stuff |
Keep your
stress to a minimum. Chronic stress can make you
feel depressed or anxious, feelings that can interfere with the way your brain
processes memories.
 |
Put a lid on
it |
Whether you enjoy
biking, playing hockey or other contact sport, wear a
helmet to protect your head. Head injuries are proven to increase the risk
of Alzheimer's.
 |
An Aspirin® a
day |
Alzheimer's is caused by brain lesions, the buildup of
beta-amyloid plaque. Anti-inflammatory drugs like Ibuprofen have been shown to
help dissolve these lesions and prevent new ones from forming.
And, remember to talk to your
doctor.
This is important. Discuss
your concerns about memory loss with your family physician. He or she
can assess your overall health and suggest other strategies for
preventing memory loss as
you age. Most importantly, early diagnosis is key to better understanding and treating Alzheimer's
disease.
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