I’ve always worried about brain health. Even as a child, I worried about getting Alzheimer’s, and as I got older I realized I wasn’t the only one. A lot of my peers expressed the same concerns, especially after they saw The Notebook the first time at the ripe old age of 16. I’m 27 now, and my worst fear is still Alzheimer’s disease; my second worst fear is brain cancer. I'm mostly just scared of losing my keys at home and losing my focus everywhere else.
For me and worriers like me (hi mom,) it’s nice to know, then, that there is so much we can do to keep our brains bright and humming along happily. From eating the right foods to reading, below are some of the best ways to keep your noggin in top form.
Eat your way to a healthy brain
In high school I read something where Dr. Perricone (the famous skin doctor) talked about how salmon, fish oil, and blueberries are really good for your skin, and that he ate them for breakfast every morning. So I began to eat them for breakfast every morning, too. The formula worked; my skin cleared up and gained an amazing glow. What I also noticed, though, was that I was thinking a lot clearer at school as well. I have always believed I have a touch of ADD (I may or may not be a hypochondriac,) but during that time, I remember being able to focus a lot better than before. Even in math! (A miracle!)
Turns out, it’s a proven fact that fish oil, salmon (and other fatty fish like tuna and mackerel), and blueberries are all super foods for your brain. The fish oil and salmon is due to the high amount of Omega-3 fatty acids, which you can also find in flaxseed, olive oil, walnuts. And blueberries help protect the brain from free radicals, and may reduce the effects of dementia.
Walnuts are also a great source of Vitamin E which has been shown in some studies to less cognitive decline as we age. Dark chocolate, sunflower seeds, peanut butter, avocados, kale, collard greens, spinach, and broccoli are also super high in Vitamin E.
Red wine has also been praised as a brain booster in the past, though some recent studies say this isn’t the case. Either way, why risk it? Have a glass anyway (or two.)
Keep an overall healthy diet
Make sure to not only include the foods listed above, but to maintain a completely healthy diet that’s low sugar and full of essential nutrients for all aspects of your health. That includes lean meats, a colorful array of vegetables and fruits, and whole grains.
Other brain boosting activities
As much as I hate math, solving math problems is a great way to keep you mentally sharp. Other mental stimulation exercises include reading, word puzzles, taking courses, making crafts, drawing/painting, and writing. Also worth mentioning is Luminosity.com, which is one of the most fun ways to stimulate your brain. So pull out the Sodoku or that James Joyce novel you’ve been putting off, and make some time for yourself!
Physical exercise!
I had to add an exclamation point to “Physical exercise!” because it’s something not many people get excited about, but it’s something that’s vitally important to all aspects of your health. (I’m one of those people.) Exercising increases the tiny blood vessels responsible for thought and bringing oxygen filled blood to the brain. Exercise is also known to increase the development of new nerve cells and the connections between brain cells. Let’s not forget that exercise also lowers blood pressure, reduces mental stress, and improves cholesterol levels.
Avoid tobacco and avoid abusing alcohol
Tobacco cuts years from your life, and alcohol abuse is a major contributor in dementia. Quite frankly, when it comes to mental health, saying no to tobacco and limiting alcohol really is a no brainer.
Care about your mental health
I really need to take this into consideration since I have constant anxiety about brain health. It is well known that caring for your state of mind does wonders for your overall health. Treating depression, anxiety, and sleep deprivation can have a significant impact on your state of mind and your brain as a whole. Happier people have happier brains. (We wrote a blog post a while back about the connection between sleep and breast cancer, & included some sleeping tips as well. Read it here.)
Help others and build social networks
Those who are involved in their community and have strong social ties have been shown to exhibit lower blood pressure and longer life expectancies than those who do not. All the more excuse to gather up your friends and volunteer at the local animal shelter!
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I’m still pretty frightened about Alzheimer’s and brain cancers, and no amount of fish oil is going to help me find my keys, but it's a comfort knowing I have some level of control over what happens to my brain and how it operates.
If you are in need of an MRI or CT scan, or any of the other services we provide here at Clermont Radiology, give us a call today!
Now if you’ll excuse me, I have some salmon and blueberries to eat while I play brain games on Luminosity.
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