Brain health is extremely important and as we age it naturally starts to decline. Our society is experiencing epidemic levels of brain fog where people in their 40’s and 50’s are diagnosed with “premature senility” or “premature Alzheimer’s Disease”. They are losing memory and the ability to function, and by the time they reach 60, they can no longer take care of themselves.
However, this does not have to be the case. We can all make small changes in our daily routine now to ensure this does not happen to us. The two main factors that affect our brain are:
- Toxins in the environment
- Nurturing the body
Toxins in the Environment
Over the last 100 years, there have been over 80,000 new chemicals added to our environment. This is at an all time high! The problem is that we all eat, drink, and breathe these chemicals, while also putting them on our skin through cosmetics and unfiltered water.
We recommend that you get a reverse osmosis system for your drinking water and a filter system for your shower so that you are not drinking the toxins or absorbing them through the skin. Try to eat organic fruits, vegetables, and meat. It’s common practice now for pesticides to be sprayed on produce and meat which we then eat, and these pesticides are causing havoc with out bodies. So, it is recommended to eat organic as much as you can to avoid these pesticides.
Nurturing the Body
It is extremely important to nurture the body, so it can continue to do the things it needs to. We recommend measuring your nutrient levels to see if any of them are low or high. If too many nutrient levels are low, that means the body is malnourished and is not getting all the nutrients that it needs to function properly.
The four nutrients that support your brain are:
- Amino Acids
- Essential Fats
- Vitamins
- Minerals
In a recent study¹, research showed that physical exercise was a great and inexpensive way to nurture the brain. It stimulates nerve cells and creates new neurons which increases the connections between brain cells. This can help prevent brain fog, dementia, and cognitive decline. Wouldn’t it be great to remember everything when you are in you 60’s, 70’s or 80’s? By making sure the body has all the right nutrients, we can achieve excellent brain health no matter the age.
Sleep is also at the top of the list and is especially important so that the body can recover. If you only get 5 or 6 hours of sleep at night, it is not enough. We recommend tracking your sleep and there are many devices out there that can do this, including the Oura Ring.
If you make these changes now, you can start to see results in a couple of months!
Click here to learn about all the health conditions that we treat at LifeWorks Wellness Center. If you would like to schedule an appointment, please call (727) 466-6789.
Brain Health Videos
Helpful Brain Fog Resources
- Brain Fog - our complete page on brain fog treatment.
References:
Physical exercise and activity may be important in reducing dementia risk at any age
James A. Mortimer, Yaakov Stern
Neurology Feb 2019, 92 (8) 362-363; DOI: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000006935
