4 Ways Boost Your Brain Health

Finding ways to help boost your brain power can help fight off mental decline among a wide range of other benefits. The tips outlined in this article can keep your brain sharp and promote better health.  You might be amazed to find out that there are plenty easy ways to support healthy brain function on your own.

Exercise

Exercise increases blood flow to your brain and stimulates the production of nerve cells. Many studies have shown that regular activity can help your mind work faster and more efficiently. To get the most out of your workouts, incorporate a complete program that addresses cardiovascular exercise, warmups, stretching and core exercises. Exercises prevents illness and promotes wellness through:

·       Increased cell growth.

·       Increased blood flow.

·       Reduces the risk of stroke and other cardiovascular health problems.

Eat Animal Based Omega-3 Fats

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), is an omega-3 fat. DHA is fundamental to vision and brain health. Around 60% of your brain is made from fats, 25% of that is DHA. Additionally, it’s found in breast milk, which is one of the main substances believed to support healthy brain growth in babies.

Omega-3 fats like DHA are seen as vital because the body cannot produce it. It must come from diet. DHA rich foods include fish, liver and nuts. DHA is found in your neurons and is responsible for supporting vision. If have insufficient amount of omega-3 fatty acids in your system, you nerve cells may become firm and prone to damage. 

There has also been a significant amount of studies dedicated to the physical and psychological effects of omega-3 fats. For instance, low DHA levels have been correlated to memory decline and Alzheimer’s disease. One study discovered that those who took 800 mg of DHA each day for four months outperformed those who took a placebo on verbal cognitive performance tests. Memory and the rate of learning were also enhanced among participants who took DHA.

There are many dietary supplements you can take to get your daily dose of omega-3 fats. Animal based supplements like krill oil and fish oil are popular choices.

Get Plenty of Rest

Rest is an important part of physical and mental recovery and it is especially important for brain health. During sleep the brain will process information and prepare for waking life during sleep. This is an important part of making decisions while we are awake.

A research study conducted in 2013 at the University of Rochester found that our brains carry out important maintenance functions while we sleep. Scientists observed the brains of mice and discovered that they clear out harmful molecules linked to mental degeneration. The space between brain cells increased while the mice slept, allowing their brains to clean out the toxic molecules that accumulated when they were awake. 

Getting plenty of REM sleep is important for solidifying long-term memories. Practice during sleep is critical for future performance. Information is stored in the brain during REM sleep with sleep spindles. A sleep spindle is a burst of brain activity that can be measured with an Electroencephalography (EEG) machine. This is useful for memory function related to fine motor skills like walking, dancing, driving or speech. It helps store information to make these tasks easier to carry out.

Ingest Coconut Oil

Glucose is one of the most essential substances utilized by your brain. The body needs creates its own insulin and changes it to glucose, the substance your body needs to survive. If insulin production declines, your brain literally starves. This is what occurs in Alzheimer’s patients, parts of their brain begin to decay, causing memory loss and dementia.

This is where coconut oil comes into play. It can help you stay sharp and avoid mental decline. Adding it to your diet can help you keep your glucose levels up. It could even help to repair existing nerve and neuron damage. Everyone is affected by coconut oil differently, so you may need to start gradually to build up your glucose levels. Start with one teaspoon a day in the morning and go from there. Coconut oil is best eaten with other foods to prevent stomach irritation.

Your health care provider will work with you to determine what course of action is best for you. Total Home Health can connect you with experienced health care experts who are ready to help you live a long, healthy and fulfilling life. Join today to learn jumpstart a longer, healthier life.