Brain health is something that a lot of people take for granted. It’s not until you experience the effects of brain decline that you begin to realize how important your brain really is. Brain health encompasses more than just having a healthy mind, as it also involves having a healthy brain. Brain health is about keeping your brain functioning at its optimal level and preventing any type of decline early on in life. It’s never too early or too late to start working on improving your brain health. Here are some great ways to help keep your brain in tip-top shape:
Keep Learning
As you age, it is natural to become less interested in learning new things. But, what many people forget is that learning new things keeps the mind active and healthy. Learning something new can be as simple as learning a new language, taking up a new hobby, reading more books, or even learning how to use a computer program that you’ve always meant to take the time to learn but never got around to. Learning new things also reduces your risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease as you age. This is because as we age, our brains naturally begin to shrink and lose fluid, which can reduce communication between brain cells and lead to memory loss. However, there are ways to prevent this decline and one of them is engaging in learning new things.
Stay Active
Just like you need to exercise your body, you also need to exercise your brain. Having a healthy, active lifestyle can be good for both your body and your mind. It can even boost your creativity, improve your mood, and reduce the risk of developing a mental illness. Engaging in high-intensity exercise is not always the best choice for people who want to protect their brain. But, staying active by walking, gardening, playing a sport, or even knitting is safe and can be great for your brain health. One of the best ways to keep your brain healthy as you age is to stay physically active. A recent study found that regular aerobic exercise may help slow down the rate of brain degeneration and cognitive decline associated with aging.
Eat A Healthy Diet
There’s no question that diet plays a major role in your overall health. Eating a healthy diet can help protect your brain from degeneration and significantly reduce your risk of developing dementia. A diet rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, fish, legumes, and low in red and processed meats is a great place to start. Additionally, research shows that taking a supplement with a specific blend of herbs and vitamins called Brain & Memory can help support memory, mood, and cognitive function.
Get Enough Sleep
You can’t get away with not getting enough sleep, so it’s important to make this a priority in your life. Sleep is when your brain has the opportunity to rest and heal. Not getting enough sleep has been linked to a number of health issues, including a reduced ability to learn and an increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Not to mention that sleep deprivation can also negatively affect your mood. If you’ve ever found yourself counting sheep in an attempt to fall asleep, you’re probably well aware of how important sleep is. While there’s no magic formula for exactly how much sleep you need, the National Sleep Foundation recommends that most adults get between seven and nine hours of sleep each night.
N-Acetylcysteine Supplementation
N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is a naturally occurring amino acid that has been found to have many health benefits, including being a potent antioxidant and helping to reduce oxidative stress. In addition to these benefits, NAC has also been found to reduce the risk of developing cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease. In one study, researchers found NAC was effective for treating mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease. Participants were given either a placebo or 900 mg of NAC twice daily for 12 weeks. The researchers found that patients who received the NAC treatment experienced significant improvement in their mental health compared to the placebo group.
Conclusion
Brain health is important at all stages of life. With regular exercise, proper diet, and good sleep, you can reduce your risk for cognitive decline and the onset of dementia.
