The good news is that statistically the odds are on your side. Most people are able to keep their cognitive faculties as they age unless they develop Alzheimer's disease, heart disease, or diabetes.
As long as the brain itself remains healthy, older people can maintain their ability to think and remember, although it may take them longer to think and remember than it used to.
And in some forms of mental skills, seniors are actually able to outperform much younger people!
By studying the health habits of senior citizens who have reached old age with their minds and bodies intact, scientists have discovered some of the factors that seem to be associated with better mental functioning in old age.
Based on these studies, scientists believe that some of the factors that influence whether or not you stay mentally healthy in your later years are actually under your control.
There is some evidence that people who have a diet high in antioxidants have lower rates of getting Alzheimer's. Fresh fruits and vegetables, particularly those that have strong, bright colors tend to be high in protective antioxidants.
People who consume greater levels of cold water fish such as salmon, tend to have lower rates of Alzheimer's. There are also vitamins, minerals and herbal supplements that seem to have a protective effect on the brain. For example, a higher intake of Folic acid is associated with a lower incidence of Alzheimer's disease.
Make it a priority to eat well, exercise regularly, and get sufficient sleep.
Learn more about which fats are good and which fats are bad for your heart and your brain. Most North Americans eat far too much of the bad fats--those that are saturated or hydrogenated, and they do not eat enough of the good fats their brain and body needs, particularly the Omega-3's found in such foods as salmon and flax seed.
Try to include lots of fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet, especially those that are brightly colored such as tomatoes, spinach, and berries. These foods are high in special chemicals called antioxidants, which help protect your brain cells from damage.
A good quality vitamin and mineral supplement may help promote brain health. Based on the results of several long term studies, the following amounts may prove helpful: 500 mg of Vitamin C, 400 IU of Vitamin E, 400 mcg. of Folic acid, and a well balanced Vitamin B complex taken daily.
Another life factor that is very damaging to brain cells is chronic stress. The chemical changes produced in your body when you are under chronic stress damage every system of the body, including your brain. If your life is currently very stressful, find ways to change your life circumstances where possible, and learn to change the way you react to these situations.
To reduce the impact of stress, practice techniques of mind and body relaxation such as daily meditation and prayer. Burn off some of the negative effects of stress on your body by committing to regular exercise.
Develop a circle of trusted friends and be sure to include some fun in your life.
Your brain, as well as the rest of your body will benefit from following these tips. In addition, this strategy will improve your mood and outlook.
Although in life there are no guarantees, by following these common sense guidelines, you can increase your chances of surviving into your senior years with your mind in good shape.
Although the brain isn't a muscle, regularly ?exercising? it will keep the brain growing and spark development of nerve connections that help memory to improve. Through studying how the brain and memory works scientists have learned realized there were things that you can do to make improvements to your short-term as well as long-term memory.
These tips can be as easy as paying closer attention to details, such as when meeting persons for the first time. Nervousness or distraction may mean that you're not really listening when a name is said, making it harder for you to recall it moments later.
The time frame for a memory to travel from short-term to long-term memory is thought to be 8 seconds. Quickly going over information as you hear it the first time may affect your ability to remember it later.
?Over-learning? is another common technique for strengthening memory. This is what a person does when they repeat a bit of information over and over again ? they are over-learning it so that there is more of a chance that it will be stored in long-term memory.
There are other techniques and until you learn them they can be more complicated. The procedures are like driving, once you learn them you don't forget and you no longer have to think about them either. The memory techniques become a natural process, as though they were burned into your mind permanently.
There are many different memory claims. For example, researchers say that if you are looking for a quick memory fix, just move your eyes from side to side for 30 seconds. Then we have the claim that chewing gum can help to improve memory and enhance cognitive power.
You probably know that a diet based on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and "healthy" fats will provide lots of health benefits. This same diet can also improve memory.
No one method or technique is available that will improve everyone's memory. It is important to exercise your brain or you not only will not make improvements in memory, you will lose the connections that you aren't using in your brain.
Both Royane Real & Trevor Kassulke are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Royane Real has sinced written about articles on various topics from Dating and Romance, Body Language and Disease & illness. This article was written by Royane Real, author of the book "How You Can Be Smarter" which is full of techniques you can use to improve your learning ability, memory, and creativity. If you want to learn more ways to enhance your brain power, download i. Royane Real's top article generates over 2400 views. to your Favourites.
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