Prevention is the most effective way of combating the inevitable weakening of the mind. Brain deterioration does not happen overnight; it is the result of life-long unhealthy habits. In fact, failure to age normally and healthily can lead to mental disorders. Fifty percent of memory is actually inherited. In other words, “genetics loads the guns, but your lifestyle pulls the trigger. The brain is a vital organ, controlling every function taking place in the body. Therefore, one should make a valiant effort to implement these mind-preserving changes in his lifestyle. Good nutrition is important to successful aging and mental functioning. One’s diet should be composed of foods rich in essential fatty acids, fruits, vegetables, and complex carbohydrates. Two servings of vegetables each day slow cognitive decline by 35% over six years. Dr. Victor Marchlone, also known as “The Food Doctor,” reported the top 12 “brain-boosting” foods include berries, fatty fish, green tea, dark chocolate, grape juice, apples, leafy greens, avocados, curry, coffee, olive oil, and barely. Berries increase the production of brain cells and reverse problems in the area of brain function. Fatty fish provide the body with omega-3 fatty acids, which slow cognitive decline and improve the function of neurotransmitters. Certain vitamins and minerals are also essential to a healthy brain. Vitamin B₆, B₁₂, and folic acid help neurotransmitters work efficiently. Studies have proven people who consume high amounts of Vitamin E are 43% less likely to acquire Alzheimer’s disease. Offering the brain the proper nutrition it requires for aging will contribute to its ability to withstand the test of time.
↧