Brain Power
Looking for ways to stay sharp mentally? Many factors can influence your mental fitness, but here are a few things you can do.
- Brain food - especially foods high in omega-3's, especially fish. Antioxidants are also important.
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- Supplements - can include omega-3's as well as antioxidant-rich supplements. Folic acid has also been shown to be helpful, especially in combination with B6 and B12. (These B's in combination help neutralize homocysteine, which is an amino acid linked to impaired memory, faulty reasoning, and Alzheimer's Disease.) Other helpful supplements include antioxidants that are especially helpful in protecting neurons, such as vitamin C, vitamin E, and glutathione. Inflammation can also play a role in mental decline and can be controlled with herbal anti-inflammatories such as turmeric, Boswellia, ginger, and echinacea. (Don't take echinacea daily for extended periods as it will gradually lose its effectiveness for immune stimulation.) Other very helpful supplements include phosphatidylserine and alpha-lipoic acid, both of which have shown promise in patients with Alzheimer's disease and other memory impairing conditions.
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- Emotional/social interaction - social activities and interactions play a big part in keeping your mental abilities in top form. Those who are isolated or depressed for periods of time suffer mentally. Some activities are particularly stimulating, such as those that involve music and/or physical motion (so dancing is particularly helpful). Socialization with animals even proves helpful, so consider adopting a pet.
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- Physical exercise - exercise reduces stress and its effects on the body, as well as boosts circulation (especially important to brain function), and also produces neurotrophins in the brain, which can promote the production of new synapses.
- Use it or lose it - mental exercise is one of the most important factors to maintaining good cognitive functioning. Puzzles are a good way to relax and give your brain a workout at the same time. Reading (especially materials that teach you new things) is another good activity. Any problem solving or active thinking can help promote optimal brain function and reduce the risk of cognitive decline that many people associate with aging. The best kinds of mental aerobics are varied ones, that make use of different areas of the brain. So if you like to do word puzzles, consider spatial problems and learn to play an instrument you will exercise many different areas of the brain.
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