What Can We Do to Preserve a Healthy Brain?

By: Royane Real Click author's name for more of his/her articles

In the nursing home where my mother lives, many of the other seniors have lost their ability to remember who they are. They don't remember their lives, they can't recognize their family. They can't find their room. Most of the time they sit and stare blankly.

This is the kind of old age that none of us wants. We don't want our brain to give out on us. What can we do to keep a healthy brain as we age? There is not much pleasure in living a long life if our final years are spent in pain and if we lose our ability to think and remember.

We know that some senior citizens are able to live into their eighties and nineties with their minds sharp and their bodies still spry. Will we be among the lucky ones? Is it just a matter of random luck? Is losing our mental powers as we age inevitable?

The good news is that statistically the odds are on your side. Most people are able to keep their thinking clear as they age unless they develop Alzheimer’s disease, heart disease, or diabetes. As long as the brain itself remains healthy, older people can preserve their ability to learn, to think and remember, although it may take them longer to process their thoughts than it used to. And in some forms of mental skills, seniors are actually able to outperform much younger people!

By studying the health habits of senior citizens who have reached old age with their minds and bodies intact, scientists have discovered some of the factors that seem to be associated with better mental functioning in old age.

Based on these studies, scientists believe that some of the factors that influence whether or not you stay mentally healthy in your later years are actually under your control.

There is some evidence that people who have a diet high in antioxidants have lower rates of getting Alzheimer’s. Fresh fruits and vegetables, particularly those that have strong, bright colors, tend to be high in protective antioxidants that help repair damage to the body's cells caused by harmful chemicals called free radicals.

People who consume greater levels of cold water fish such as salmon, tend to have lower rates of Alzheimer’s disease. There are also vitamins, minerals and herbal supplements that seem to have a protective effect on the brain. Higher intakes of Folic acid are often associated with a lower incidence of Alzheimer’s disease.

People who continue learning, who keep on reading, writing, and acquiring new skills tend to be sharper in their mental skills as they age. Scientists think that perhaps learning new things helps brain cells make more connections.

Every year, hundreds of thousands of people suffer brain injuries occur as a
result of automobile accidents. Many of these traumas could be prevented or reduced by slowing down while driving, and by wearing a seat belt.

If you want to follow in the footsteps of those who manage to reach their later years with both their bodies and their minds in good shape, make it a priority to eat well, exercise regularly, and get sufficient sleep.

In addition, reduce stress by learning to relax, take pleasure in your family and friends, and find ways to connect with causes greater than yourself. Keep learning, and look for ways to be happy, no matter what your circumstances.

Article Source: ABC Article Directory

About The Author: This article is taken from the new downloadable book by Royane Real titled "How You Can Be Smarter - Use Your Brain to Learn Faster, Remember Better, and Be More Creative" You can learn more life improving information by many self help authors at www.royane.com