You already forgot the name of the person you just met a few minutes ago. You can’t seem to recall where you put your car keys, let alone where you parked your car. You didn’t remember to pick up your child from school at 4 o’clock.
It’s normal to forget things every now and then. Frequent forgetful moments, however, can be troubling, upsetting, and embarrassing. As you grow older, the child-like ability to form new memory becomes more and more difficult.
Although genetics may play a role in our brain function, there are other factors we have control over. What can you do to stay mentally sharp and brain-strong? Without a doubt, your diet, lifestyle, and physical activity level play a huge role in preserving the health of your brain.
Exercise—the body and the brain
Keep your mind active and exercise your brain cells with mental activities such as plenty of reading, mind-stimulating or challenging games and puzzles, or regular and engaging conversations.
Regular physical activity will also keep your cardiovascular health in top shape. This can help prevent strokes, which are also known to negatively affect brain function and memory. Regular physical activity paired with a healthy diet can keep your blood pressure and cholesterol levels at a normal range. A natural, safe way to reduce bad cholesterol levels by up to 25% is with EnergyFirst’s Cholesterol & Heart Formula, a supplement rich with phytosterols that fight to slow down or block absorption of bad cholesterol.
To make the most out of your efforts to stay active, avoid unhealthy, artificial energy drinks. Sharpen your focus and mental clarity during your workout with a pre-workout energy drink like PreFuel, which is sugar free and all natural. It will enhance physical and mental performance.
Need more motivation to stay active and eat healthy? Losing excess body weight can help prevent chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, which is known to accelerate cognitive decline. With the best possible amino acid profile, EnergyFirst’s ProEnergy whey protein powder helps you lose weight, get lean, and stay in shape. Use it to make a protein shake for a quick, balanced meal or a post-workout drink so you don’t waste your workout.
A Brain-Boosting Menu
What can you include in your menu to boost your memory? How can you nourish your brain power? Remember: if it’s good for the heart, it’s good for the brain. You want oxygen-rich and nutrient-rich blood flowing to your brain to keep it functioning properly. The following tips will help ensure adequate, nutrient-rich blood flow to your brain.
The omega-3 fatty acids found in fish are a great source of brain support. Recent research has shown that those with higher omega-3 levels have MRI scans that reveal larger brain volumes. Over time, brain volume typically shrinks during aging. Omega-3’s have the power to slow down that process, especially in the hippocampus—a part of the brain that plays a major role in memory.
Some great food sources include seaweed and cold-water fatty fish like herring or salmon. EnergyFirst has a selection of certified organic omega-3 products to choose from, including our Omega-3 Fish Oil. DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) is the most abundant fatty acid in the brain. Each Omega-3 Fish Oil capsule has the physician-recommended dose of EPA to DHA for optimal brain health. Learn about the vast amount of health benefits fish oil provides here: http://www.energyfirst.com/omega-3-fish-oil.
What makes cruciferous vegetables stand out from other vegetables? Here’s one answer we hope you don’t forget! According to a 2007 study in the Journal of Pharmacological Science, cruciferous vegetables have powerful brain cancer-fighting agents. Make sure to rotate broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, or mustard greens into your menu. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, one study of elderly women found that those who at the most green, leafy cruciferous vegetables were 1-2 years younger in mental function than women who ate fewer of them.
Make it Your Lifestyle
Staying organized in all aspects of life can help you think clearly and retain more information.
- Organize your time. Get enough sleep. Your brain cannot remember or function correctly if it is sleep-deprived. Give yourself enough time to complete your tasks and responsibilities so that you do not stress out. Stress can also interfere with memory.
- Organize your living space and workspace. This can help you avoid clutter and unnecessary stressors.
- Organize your priorities. If you smoke, consider the facts. Smoking can increase the risk of heart disease and can damage the brain.
