There are lots of things you can do to give your memory a boost. Along with these exercises, certain lifestyle factors have shown to have a significant impact on how well our brains function. I’d like to take some time today to focus on just three things you may not realize contribute to your overall cognitive function. Read on to learn more about these three things that affect brain health.
The Food You Consume
It’s true. What you put into your body makes a difference when it comes to brain health. Just as eating a balanced diet is recommended for a healthy body, you should also strive to meet healthy dietary intake if you wish to maintain efficient brain functioning. Along with following general guidelines for a well-balanced diet, there are some specific foods that have been shown to boost memory and improve focus. Blueberries are one such food. They reduce inflammation and slow down the aging effects on the brain. Fatty fish contain the omega-3 fatty acids necessary to build brain cells, leading to improvement in learning and memory. Dark chocolate is one you may be pleased to know contains a number of good-for-your-brain compounds, including caffeine and special antioxidants known as flavonoids. Caffeine increases alertness, sharpens concentration and improves mood. Flavonoids boost your memory and hold back cognitive decline. Some other foods to add to your list of brain boosters include broccoli, pumpkin seeds, turmeric, coffee, oranges, nuts, and eggs.
Mental Activity
The amount of activity you subject your mind to heavily influences your brain’s function. The approach is that of the “use it or lose it” philosophy. The more you engage in an activity that engages a particular type of cognitive function, the stronger that function will become. For example, when you exercise your working memory by manipulating information in your mind for a particular time period, you will tend to be able to do these types of activities with increased ease over time. There are a number of benefits to maintaining an active mind. As you engage regularly in activities such as reading, working with brain teasers, engaging in hobbies and learning new skills, the sharper and more alert you will become, with better recall.
Genetics
Cognitive decline is to be expected to some extent in everyone. However, the extent of that decline is different for everyone. This has been the topic of many scientific studies in an attempt to determine ways we can delay the onset of conditions such as Alzheimer’s and dementia. Why is it that some people can remain sharp as a tack well into old age while others begin to suffer memory loss earlier? Researchers have shown that a person’s genes have a heavy influence on these outcomes. There are known genetic markers that are associated with cognitive functioning in aging. The existence and combination of these markers play a significant role in the manner in which an individual’s brain function is maintained with age.
The information I’ve just provided is a mere summary of all that’s known on these topics, but I wanted to share with you some of the key elements that contribute to your overall brain health. While some are out of your control, there are a number of preventative measures you can take to keep your mind sharp.
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