How to give your brain better health

 

Brain health: How to give your brain some TLC

Most of us know what to do to try to keep our bodies healthy, like get regular exercise and make smart nutrition choices. But what about our minds? What can we do to support our brain health? As we age, it’s important to care for our brain the same way we do the rest of our body. Let’s take a deeper look at the overall function of the brain and ways you can support your brain health.

What does the brain do?

As the most complex part of the human body, this three-pound organ is the center of intelligence, interpreter of the senses, initiator of body movement, and controller of behavior.

Like an airplane control tower, the brain is designed to receive information from the rest of the body, interpret that information, and guide the body’s response to it.

Parts of the brain

Your brain is made up of four specialized areas that work together — each serving its own individual role:

• The frontal lobe controls motor function and judgement.
• The parietal lobe is responsible for sensation and handwriting.
• Then temporal lobe is the center of memory, hearing and language.
• The occipital lobe interprets vision, including color, light and movement.

To help those lobes perform all our daily tasks, more than 100 billion nerves communicate through trillions of connections called “synapses.”

Additionally, the brain is surrounded by three protective layers of tissue called meninges. And don’t forget your cranium! The main skull bone also helps protect your brain from injury.

In other words, our brain is everything. Here are some ways to give your brain the attention it needs!

Make good choices

Our moms were on to something when they told us to “make good choices.” Small factors can support brain health like regular exercise, getting a good night’s sleep of at least 7 hours, staying social (video chats count!), managing stress and not smoking.  Annual check-ups with your doctor are also key to controlling medical risks before they begin.

Ideally, you want to start these healthy habits as early as you can to support good brain health. Use it or lose it, as they say. The great news is that it’s never too late to start improving.

So, fire up that crossword puzzle app, phone a friend or take small steps to become more active. Whether it’s a walk in your neighborhood or your first marathon, your brain will thank you!

What is brain food?

Your brain power comes from energy and your energy comes from food. Fueling up with a healthy, balanced diet plays a big role giving your brain the support it needs.

Research shows that people who eat a Mediterranean-style diet emphasizing fruits, vegetables, fish, nuts, healthy oils and plant-based proteins are less likely to develop cognitive impairment and dementia.

Also, the color of our food can help. The next time you reach for carrots, choose the purple ones. Same with cabbage. And stock up on blueberries when the season rolls around.

Blue and purple fruits and vegetables contain a large quantity of key phytonutrients like quercetin, resveratrol and ellagic acid that give the foods their rich color and help support your brain and heart health.

They also have a large quantity of antioxidants that support several defense and protective mechanisms in our bodies and may make us more resilient to the kinds of stresses we encounter in everyday life. They also help fight free radicals, which can damage cells.

Vitamins for brain health

If you find it difficult to get those key nutrients from your diet alone, consider adding supplements to fill any nutritional gaps, such as ones high in omega-3s like Nutrilite™ Balanced Health Omega. It contains DHA and EPA, omega-3s that support brain health.

You can also consider a supplement that includes cistanche, like Nutrilite Memory Builder™ Supplement. Cistanche is a plant native to China that has a long history of use in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Preliminary clinical research shows that the Nutrilite brand’s exclusive cistanche extract may help improve memory, focus and recall after six weeks of daily use.†

Immediate support for brain health

Supporting long-term brain health is great, but what if you need your brain to focus right now to help get through a work project or power through a workout? There are plenty of supplements that are more fast-acting when it comes to focus and energy.

For example, n* by Nutrilite™ Slay the Day – Focus Shot or Focus Gummies have different levels vitamins B6 and B12 and ginseng, an herb that supports brain health†. Plus, the Focus Shot has an exclusive Focus Blend that helps support your concentration when you need it most.

XS™ Energy + Focus Dietary Supplement is another option. Specifically formulated to maximize your workouts, it includes natural caffeine combined with rhodiola rosea, which has long been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine. The combination helps promote physical endurance and mental focus†.

Managing your brain health requires focus and effort, but with these tips you are on your way to helping your brain be at its best. Learn more about the products mentioned here at Amway™ and check out more healthy living tips here.