Monday, March 1, 2010

The Secret to Increasing Brain Health

Do you want to know the secret to increasing brain health? I wish I had a complex theory for you but you actually know the answer. It’s simply a matter of maintaining a healthy body and mind through diet and exercise.

I know, that’s not what you wanted to hear, right? But it’s good news really. If you eat a diet rich in fish and vegetables and get a moderate amount of exercise, you’ll probably keep your brain health into old age.

Nutritionists say you should eat fish 2-3 times a week to for the fatty acids they have. These are essential nutrients for brain health.

Fish have about 30% of these fatty acids. Your brain is made up of about 60% of them. Sockeye salmon, tuna, and sardines are all good sources.

You can also eat more walnuts, flaxseeds and spinach to get your needed omega 3 fatty acids.

These nutrients power your brain, keep it sharp and studies show they may protect you from dementia and Alzheimer ’s disease.

Learning is good for increasing brain health too. Learn a new skill like dancing or a new language. Practice puzzles like crosswords and sudoku on a regular basis. The more you challenge your brain the harder it’s going to work. Then it starts making connections you never thought of and you feel more energized and excited!

Getting regular exercise keeps oxygen flowing through your veins and through your brain too. That means you’re increasing blood flow and keeping your cells oxygenated which will keep them working well.

Studies show fish oil supplements may help increase brain health. Fish oils supplements are rich in omega 3 fatty acids and they actually have more fatty acids than fish themselves because they’re concentrated.

Supplements have the benefit of being purified too. This means they can actually be more pure than fish because they’ve been cleaned of toxins like mercury and lead.

1000’s of people take fish oil supplements to stay focused, increase their concentration and improve their memory. As a side benefit, the American Heart Association recommends them to protect you from heart attacks.

Increasing your brain health is really a simple matter of getting the omega 3 fatty acids you need. Many people can do this by eating the right nutritious foods and getting enough exercise but to ensure you get them, you might want to consider supplements.

Authors by Jen P. April, EzineArticles.