Why does age affect our brain?
Age-related problems
Few tips on how to improve brain health:
Age-related problems
Stay active!
Exercise has many known benefits, and it appears that regular physical activity benefits the brain. Multiple research studies show that people who are physically active are less likely to experience a decline in their mental function and have a lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
It also tends to counter some of the natural reduction in brain connections that occur during aging, in effect reversing some of the problems. Aim to exercise several times per week for 30 to 60 minutes.
Sleep well
Sleep plays an important role in your brain health. It is important that you try to get seven to eight consecutive hours of sleep per night, not fragmented sleep of two or three-hour increments. Consecutive sleep gives your brain the time to consolidate and store your memories effectively.
Eat a healthy!
Your diet plays a large role in your brain health. Good nutrition helps to keep your brain in optimum condition. Suggestions include:
- Make sure your diet contains sufficient B-group vitamins.
- Glucose is the brain’s sole energy source, so eat a balanced diet and avoid extreme low-carbohydrate diets.
- Narrowed arteries (atherosclerosis) can reduce blood flow to the brain, so make sure you eat a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet.
Stay mentally active.
There are many things that you can do to keep your brain in shape, such as doing crossword puzzles or Sudoku, reading, playing cards, or putting together a jigsaw puzzle. Finally, don’t watch too much television, as that is a passive activity and does little to stimulate your brain.
Socialize
Social interaction helps ward off depression and stress, both of which can contribute to memory loss. There is research that links solitary confinement to brain atrophy, so remaining socially active may have the opposite effect and strengthen the health of your brain.
Reduce online time.
Socialize with real people. Spending all day online won’t help your heath. Get outside and talk with your neighbor or finally introduce yourself. It might be interesting!
Conditions and events that can impair brain function
Age-related problems
Getting older doesn’t necessarily mean that the mind stops working as well as it once did. However, some of the conditions and events more common in older age that affect brain function include:
- Atherosclerosis
- Dehydration
- Dementia, such as Alzheimer’s disease
- Depression
- Diabetes mellitus
- Heart disease
- Medications – prescribed medicines should be regularly reviewed so that unwanted side effects are avoided, and drugs should be discontinued if they are no longer required
- Poor nutrition, vitamin deficiency
- Parkinson’s disease
- Stroke.
Additionally:
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An analysis from the Mayo Clinic Study of Aging found that moderate exercise in mid or late life was linked to a reduced chance of developing mild cognitive impairment. A review of 46 trials with more than 5,000 participants published last year concluded that exercise is associated with reduced cognitive decline and helpful for helping working memory.
A 2017 review of randomized, controlled trials concluded that in adults 50 and older, moderate-intensity exercise (either aerobic exercise or strength training) was linked to improved cognitive function.
Final Word:
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We hear a lot about keeping our hearts healthy, through following a healthy lifestyle, a good diet, and getting plenty of exercise. But taking care of our brain is just important. It’s the most important organ in our body, so brain health is vital for our overall health, as our brain functions to control all our body’s functions.
What’s more, a healthy brain will help your mind to stay alert, active, and clear and help to promote good mental health. Brain health is about keeping your mind active, feeding it plenty of nutrients and oxygen, and reducing risk factors that can harm the brain. Start taking care of your brain early!
Products recommenced:
Age-related problems
Neurodrine
- Improves memory.
- Based on medical studies.
- Clinical trials that created Neurodrine.
Affiliate Disclosure:
The links contained in this product review may result in a small commission. This goes towards supporting our research and editorial team and please know we only recommend high-quality products.
Note: This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any disease. Always consult a healthcare professional before taking any supplement or making any changes to your diet or lifestyle.
Resources:
Age-related problems
- Alzheimer’s Association (alz.org): Provides a wide range of information on brain health and Alzheimer’s disease.
- Harvard Brain Health (health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood): Offers articles and insights on brain health from a reputable academic source.
- Mayo Clinic (mayoclinic.org): A trusted source for medical information, including topics on brain health.
- National Institute on Aging (nia.nih.gov): Provides research-based information on aging and brain health.
- BrainFacts.org: A public information initiative of The Kavli Foundation, the Gatsby Charitable Foundation, and the Society for Neuroscience.
- WebMD (webmd.com): A well-known source of medical information including topics on brain health.
- The Dana Foundation (dana.org): Offers information on current research in brain science.
- American Brain Foundation (americanbrainfoundation.org): Provides information on various brain diseases and disorders.
- Mental Health America (mhanational.org): Offers resources on mental health, which is closely related to brain health.
- Mind (UK) (mind.org.uk): Provides information and support on mental health and brain health.
