Keeping Your the Brain Sharp
If you are interested in keeping your brain sharp, no matter what your age, there are key lifestyle behaviors you should be practicing. Besides exercise, which encourages the growth of new cells by increasing oxygen flow to your brain, and challenging your brain with skills that keep you thinking, diet plays an important part in brain health.
Although we have no control over our own genetics, as a risk factor for chronic diseases, such as Alzheimer’s, we can make those lifestyle decisions that may help keep our brains healthier. There is much research that indicates diet, as well as the other lifestyle factors mentioned above, that can help prevent cognitive decline, especially if started early in life. So what is this “special” diet that helps promote brain function?
Although emerging science may tweak dietary recommendations, the basics for eating right, for those with and without chronic disease, are relatively well known and simple. There is no magic or secret to eating right, yet motivation and putting knowledge to practice, is the barrier. There are many correlations between the risk factors for heart disease and diabetes with increased risk for Alzheimer’s. So, the science-based dietary guidelines that are good for the heart are also good for the brain, plus good for everyone in general:
Maintain energy balance – balance energy in (calories consumed through food and beverages) with energy out (physical activity); increases in physical activity, even if small (such as walking, chair exercise, etc.) apart from diet, has been shown to slow cognitive deterioration.
Reduce sodium intake – Aim for 2,300 mg sodium or less, daily (1 teaspoon of table salt contains 2,300 mg!); choose foods low in sodium (140 mg or less sodium per serving); for those with hypertension, consume 1,500 mg or less per day for health benefits.
Build your diet around low- and non-fat dairy; beans), nuts and seeds; fish, lean meat and poultry, as well as:
Fruits and vegetables – Aim for 8-9 (1/2 cup servings) of fruits and vegetables of a variety of colors daily; choose whole fruits over fruit juices most often; drink juice that is labeled “100% juice” and “100% vitamin C” if possible.
Whole grains – whole grains are the entire grain kernel, including the outer covering that contains the grain’s fiber and many vitamins and minerals and antioxidants; aim for at least 3 ounce servings per day of whole grain foods such as (whole wheat bread, crackers, pasta, buns, tortillas; whole grain barley, rye, oatmeal, cornmeal, buckwheat, brown rice, wild rice and popcorn, whole grain cereals); choose whole grain breakfast cereals that provide at least 3-4 grams fiber per serving, no more than 8 grams total sugar, and less than 3 grams fat.
Ruth
This article was written by Darcia Brewer, a Registered Dietician and Contracted & Nutrition Services Coordinator for Area Agency on Aging of Northwest Michigan
