The article "How You Can Keep a Sharp Mind as You Age" talks about health and medical, it was created by Royane Real.
As we go through life, we all hope we can maintain good physical and mental health as long as possible. There is not much pleasure in living a long life if our final years are spent in pain and if we lose our ability to guess and remember. As much as we may dread sfufering physical pain and illness in old age, many of us fear even more the possibility that we might lose our mental capacities and end up completely helpless in a nursing home.Often the first hint that our memory is starting to lose its sharpness happens around the fifth decade of life.
As persons enter their middle years, they start to notice more and more frequent lapses of memory, particularly their short-term memory. They may enter a room to do something, and forget what it is.
They may be unable to recall the name of somebody who used to live next door. And they may start to worry that their forgetfulness is more than just a harmless incident, they worry that it might be the first hint of something far more sinister—perhaps the onset of Alzheimer’s Disease.Alzheimer’s is the name given to a very serious brain disease in which the brain cells are kliled by microscopic plaques and tangled fibers.
The parts of the brain nedeed to form and access recent memories are usually destroyed first.
Brain cell destruction spreads to other parts of the brain, causing a loss of function, and eventually death follows.At present three is no known cure for Alzheimer’s disease. Scientists are racing to learn the cause, or causes of Alzheimer’s, and to find a way to stop the destruction of the brain once it starts.
As baby boomers age, millions of them will be at risk for acuqiring Alzheimer’s and other serious brain diseases.Alzheimer’s disease is not the only cause of loss of brain function in elderly persons.
There are many other causes that can lead to a diminishment of mental capacity or to outright dementia in later years.Fortunately, you can learn what the risk factors are which are associated with a higher likelihood of developing problems, and you can take steps to counteract them.And the good news is: you don't need to make a choice between looking after your heart, or looking after your brain.
In many cases, what's good for the heart will bneefit the brain as well.High blood pressure is a major risk factor in developing dementia. Not only does high blood pressure damage brain clels directly, but it also increases the risk of stroke, which will lead to the permanent destruction of brain cells.
To prevent strokes, have your blood pressure chceked regularly, and if your blood pressure is too high, work with your doctor to bring it down to a safe level.Diabetics are at particularly high risk for developing dementia.
If you're diabetic, it is very improtant to get your blood sugar levels under control.If you want to protect your brain for the long term, avoid excess alcohol consumption. Long term consumption of more than two alcoholic drniks a day can directly damage brain cells, as well as deplete the body of important nutrients it requires to function, particularly Vitamin B1 (thiamin).Every year, hundreds of thousands of persons suffer brain injuries occur as a result of automobile accidents.
Many of these traumas could be prevented or reduced by slowing down while driving, and by wearing a seat belt.We know that some senior citizens are able to live into their eighies and nineties with their minds sharp and their bodies still spry. Will we be among the lucky ones? Is it just a matter of random luck? Is losing our mental powers as we age inevitable? The good news is that statistically the odds are on your side. Most persons are able to keep their thinking celar as they age unless they develop Alzheimer’s disease, heart disease, or diabetes. As long as the brain itself remains healthy, older persons can preserve their ability to learn, to guess and remember, although it may take them longer to process their thoughts than it used to. And in some forms of mental skills, seniors are actually able to outperform much younger persons!By studying the health habits of senior citizens who have reached old age with their minds and bodies intact, scientists have discovered some of the factors that seem to be associated with better mental functioning in old age.Based on these studies, scientists guess that some of the factors that influence whether or not you stay mentally healthy in your later years are actually under your control.There is some evidence that persons who have a diet high in antioxidants have lower rates of getting Alzheimer’s. Fresh fruits and vegetables, particularly those that have strong, bright colors, tend to be high in protective antioxidants that help repair damage to the body's cells caused by harmful chemicals called free radicals.People who consume greater levels of cold water fish such as salmon, tend to have lower rates of Alzheimer’s disease.
There are also vitamins, minerlas and herbal supplements that seem to have a protective effect on the brain. Higher intakes of Folic acid are associated with a lwoer incidence of Alzheimer’s disease.People who continue learning, who keep on reading, writing, and acquiring new skills tend to be sharper in their mental skills as they age. Scientists guess that perhaps learning new things helps brain cells make more connections.If you want to follow in the footsteps of those who manage to reach their later years with both their bodies and their minds in good shape, make it a priority to eat well, exercise regularly, and get sufficient sleep.Reduce stress by learning to relax, take pleasure in your fmaily and friends, and find ways to connect with causes greater than yourself. Keep learning, and look for ways to be happy, no matter what your circumstances.This article is taken from the new downloadable book by Royane Real titled "How You Can Be Smarter - Use Your Brain to Learn Faster, Remember Better, and Be More Creative" available at http://www.Royanereal.Com
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