Getting older brings a number of physical changes and yet time is something we CAN bargain with. As the aging-process clock just keeps on ticking, more and more people are putting the effort in now to pump up their brain power and preserve mental vigor. The best anti-aging remedy doesn't come in a jar; it's daily doses of cognitive exercise. Simply put, if we put our mind to work, our brain cells will find a way to stay fit.
As we age, chemical changes in the brain affect memory and learning. On the bright side, staying active mentally and sharpening mental skills will help offset age-related mental decline. Numerous medical research studies suggest that consistent, long-term mental stimulation is essential to reducing the risk of memory loss and dementia. In other words, thinking intensely on a regular basis rewires our brain and helps us concentrate and remember things.
At the Fourth International Brain Education Conference, held at the United Nations in New York City, Ilchi Lee, president of the International Brain Education recently explained, “Everything depends on how well we operate the brain, and how deeply we can trust it.” As the ultimate means to access our unlimited human potential, brain education can play a major role in determining the future of humanity and the earth.
And here's even more food for thought. We've known all along that we are what we eat, and when heath experts encourage us to add sardines, blueberries, walnuts, broccoli, red wine, and foods rich in antioxidants to our daily diet, they are also taking into consideration the positive effects food has on sustaining and improving memory and cognitive activities, and even promoting the growth of new nerve cells.
Fernando Gomez-Pinilla, Professor of Neurosurgery at UCLA, explains that there are foods to stay away from that can cause damage to many systems in the brain, including memory. Gomez-Pinilla explains that junk foods high in saturated fats have been shown to negatively impact the synapses of the brain.
That being said, the idea here is not to dictate what you should eat and drink for a healthier brain. Instead, you may want to consider the consequences of a history of bad eating habits and the consumption of junk food, and the short and long-term effect of the choices you are making. Yes, you CAN have your cake and eat it, too. According to the experts, the right dietary changes have IMMEDIATE brain payoffs at any age.
What's also encouraging is that experts tell us that older brains can learn new tricks. “The mind has a crucial advantage over the body,” says Roger Landry, M.D., President of Masterpiece Living. Dr. Landry explains that cognitive research has shown that the brain can continue to renew cells throughout a person's lifetime. “Whether you're nine or ninety, you can learn and you can grow - it may just take a little longer.“
If you are contemplating a brain fitness regimen, your first course of action is to determine which product is best for you. Consider the following key questions when evaluating a brain fitness program:
1) What are the credentials of the people who designed the program?
2) Has the program been tested in rigorous scientific studies?
3) Is the program proven effective?
4) Does this program compliment my current lifestyle?
Does exercising the brain really work? While it's difficult for anybody to say that a specific amount of exposure to any of the brain-fitness products on the market is going to benefit them many years from now, there's no downside to staying mentally active. However, experts agree on two key requirements: You must do the exercises consistently. And they shouldn't be too easy.
So do the bright thing and flex your mental muscles today.
