Your Brain on the Aging Train

One of the most fascinating parts of healthy aging for me comes in the form of brain-age.  After so many years of observing the generations above me, I often wonder how the 99 year old only misses what she can't hear when the 72 year old struggles to stay on track within the conversation.  I clearly remember, while working in a local nursing home, a man and his mother, both residents as a result of dementia.  Yes, genetics plays a significant role.  But, so does environment and the choices we make along the journey.

What can we do now to protect ourselves later?

It all keeps coming back to the same stuff... when are we going to learn?  Well, anytime, actually, because the aged brain is still a learning-capable machine!  Here are some research-based perspectives on your aging brain.

Rest: Research continues to point toward regular sleeping patterns (of 8 hours) to protect against age-related chronic illness that may include memory loss.

Exercise: Even a simple brisk walking program three times a week can improve age-related decline in cognition.

Keep your blood pressure under control: Studies show that hypertension accelerates the normal age-related brain shrinkage and thus loss of mental abilities.

Stop the stress:  I know you know this - cortisol is not your friend!  More important than its role in belly fat - in large amounts, cortisol wears away neurons in the hippocampus.  The hippocampus is the area of your brain often associated with memory and disorientation problems as in Alzheimer's Disease.

Watch your diet: Red meat is loaded with fats - saturated, trans and cholesterol that clog your arteries and limit the blood flow that can get to your brain.  This is a sure-fire way to increase your risk for decreased brain function and specifically for Alzheimer's Diesase.  On the other hand, people who get vitamin E from their diets have a 70% less chance of getting Alzheimer's at an early age.  Make your foods work for you.  The brain uses 20-30% of the calories you consume each day and has been called the major energy consumer in your body.  Put the right fuel in to get the right outcome.

And, to keep getting that outcome for years to come, keep your brain young and healthy and always challenged.  I'm sure these suggestions sound familiar.  I'm hoping that by re-reading them, it may jog your memory... if not, you could try a healthy dose of one of the above!