HEALTHY LIVING

by

Eva Warren

Keeping Your Memories - Part One

Our brains are involved in everything we do. The way we think, feel, act and interact with others is the work of our brain. Are you a friend, mother, father, doctor or other professional? All of the information to be and do is stored in our brain. Our lifestyles may affect our brain. Eating the right foods and supplements and getting enough and the right exercise may be critical to keeping a healthy brain. Most of us will notice as we age some memories won’t come to us as quickly as they used to. New research and studies indicate we may be able to help our brains function better. Let’s look at possibilities to enhance brain function.

Are you an active or sedentary person? It turns out this may very well affect our brain. Ron Udell, President of Soft Jel Technologies, Inc states in Wholefoods Magazine, “ It is truly never too early to be proactive in your health. Parents should guide their children to eating healthy, staying active physically and mentally, and encouraging them to treat their bodies and minds with respect. Developing good habits while young will help set the stage for a long and healthy life.” Preventive health is key concerning our brain, as well as our bodies.

Our brain is a very complex organ. Information travels at 268 miles per hour in the brain. There are one hundred billion nerve cells and more connections than stars in the sky. The brain uses twenty to thirty percent of our calories daily. It is two per cent of our body weight. We lose eighty-five thousand brain cells each day. Even though our brain is very soft, it is housed and protected in a hard shell with many sharp edges.

Many things may affect us and our brains. Some of these things are negative thinking, too much TV, smoking, alcohol, drugs, stress, lack of sleep, environmental toxins, too much caffeine, brain injuries and lack of good nutrition and exercise.

Social connections actually nourish us and our brains. In the best selling book, Younger Next Year, Chris Crowley and Henry S. Lodge, M.D. point out this fact. It seems a certain part of the brain is nourished by social connections. Whether it be a volunteer job or working, this will keep you younger, just by reaching out to others and connecting with them. They also stress exercise six days a week. It turns out that blood flow is improved in those who exercise. Oxygen and glucose supply to the brain, carried in the blood is improved also. Of course, the blood flow to the brain can improve all cognitive abilities. Cutting “crap” out of the diet is very important. Most crap is high in sugar and refined flour and additives. This creates high glucose levels and free radical damage may result. Making love can certainly be important. Dancing, learning something new, gratitude, vitamins and fish oil are all important to our brains.

Good food for our brains includes at least five servings of vegetables and a couple of fruits daily. Healthy brain foods include walnuts, tuna, salmon, oranges, broccoli, avocadoes, blueberries, green tea, oatmeal, red peppers, spinach and turkey. Along with the above make sure you get lean protein, healthy fats, good whole grain carbohydrates, nuts and seeds.

Attitudes and choices we make daily may optimize brain functions. Keep the brain young by working it mentally. Scrabble, crossword puzzles and card games can give your brain a workout and improve brain function. Learning new things you are curious about in life has been shown in studies to be good for the brain. Make an effort to learn something new every day. Keeping a gratitude journal is a good idea. Write down five things daily which you are grateful for. Remember new learning makes new connections, while no learning causes disconnections.

Protect your brain. While riding any kind of bike or ATV, always wear a helmet. A seat belt is a given.

Sleep is important to the brain. Get at least seven hours of sleep a night. Not getting enough sleep decreases blood flow to the brain and this can add to weight gain. Avoid toxic substances. While a glass of red wine is good for you, excessive alcohol may cause brain cells to die. A couple cups of coffee may be tolerated and actually be beneficial to your circulation, but excessive caffeine may be toxic. Avoid nicotine at all costs. Recreational drugs as well. Use caution even with RX drugs. Read the warnings on them and take the information seriously.

What you know can reduce your risk for any kind of brain disease or dysfunction. You may want to check your genetics. Cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol may put you at risk. Brain injuries should be watched. Not getting enough exercise by exercising less than two days a week could put you at risk. Alcohol or drug abuse can put you at risk as well. Educate yourself to the healthy ways to take care of your brain. It is critical for all of us.

This information is not meant to diagnose, treat or prescribe anything. Always check with your health care provider.

This is part one of Keeping Your Memories, part two will follow next month as we look at supplements well studied to help our cognitive abilities. Until next time I am wishing for you the very best in health.

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Eva is a graduate of the American Institute of Holistic Theology and practices as a Doctor of Naturology. You may reach her at littleherbshoppe@hotmail.com

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