As we age, our bodies go through many changes, including changes to our brain. Memory loss and cognitive degeneration are a top concern for elderly – even those in good health. The scary fact is that no one is ‘immune’ to memory loss, and it affects the vast majority of the elderly population. The good news is that there are choices you can start making today to prevent memory loss, and it’s as simple as improving your lifestyle.
The brain consumes almost 20% of the calories we digest, so it’s no surprise that a healthy diet can have a positive affect on it’s functioning. Likewise, a poor diet will inflict poor brain function. When we’re young, this is far less apparent and we seldom think about providing good nutrition to the brain. But as we age and our bodies start digesting calories differently, nutrition absorption rates fall, and the need for proper nutrition becomes far more apparent.
Vitamin B12 is vital for normal functioning of the brain, and deficiencies are not uncommon among those with poor diets or poor habits. Vitamin B12 is most commonly found in fish, shellfish, red meat, eggs and cheese.
Studies in recent years have sung the praises of Omega-3 Fats, which have been found to not only improve brain functioning but also prevent memory loss. Omega-3 is found in nuts, flax, eggs, fish, and soy.
A diet high in fruits and vegetables which supply antioxidants not only builds a strong immune system, but also protects the brain from ageing.
Even with a healthy diet, supplying the brain with enough nutrition to prevent memory loss is still difficult, which is why using supplements is strongly recommended by most nutritionists. Staying hydrated is also important to ensure proper absorption of nutrients.
In addition to adding good things to your diet, reducing or quitting smoking and drinking is essential to brain health.