As the longevity of our life span continues to increase, maintaining
our cognitive health has become more important for the quality of life we want
to enjoy. Research has found that our
brain continues to build cells at any age. Learning new skills such as a
language, knitting, dancing or even how to change the oil of your car can help
protect the brain from developing Alzheimer’s or dementia. Physical activity is
also important to maintain a healthy brain as 25% of the blood from each heart
beat is utilized by the brain.
The brain
Dr. Paul Nussbaum clinical neuropsychologist who specializes
in aging across the lifespan and brain health states, “Our identity, our hopes,
our emotions, everything we love comes from this amazing organ that weighs
between two and four pounds, the greatest miracle ever designed.” Dr. Nussbaum
has developed several games that challenge the cognition and determine what
areas of the brain may need more stimulation to maintain cognitive health.
Research from Current
Biology reports that the working memory training that they have established
with mice seems to have increased their intelligence. They trained mice on a
task that exercised working memory and attention. The mice displayed
improvement on general cognitive function when compared to mice with no
training. This experiment has proven that the brain is highly adaptable and can
be improved with training. They are hoping that further research will give them
more insight on how to help the Alzheimer’s patient.
Brain Care
The brain needs to be stimulated with socialization, learning,
appropriate nutrition, physical and sexual activity. The brain should be fed a
steady diet of foods with Omega-3 fatty acids and high in anti-oxidants such as
blueberries and spinach. This nutrition will keep the brain processing at a
rapid speed. High levels of stress can be harmful to the brain. Practicing
meditation, Yoga, and visualization are all excellent ways to learn how to
manage stress levels. Reducing stress and stress hormones in your system is
critical to the care of your brain.
Oliver Sacks MD professor of neurology and psychiatry at
Columbia University Medical Center believes music can be very healing for the
brain. In his book Musicophilia he
explores the mystery of the human mind and interaction with music. “Music can animate people with Parkinson’s
disease who couldn’t otherwise move, give words to stroke patients who can’t
otherwise speak and calm and organize people who memories are ravaged by
Alzheimer’s,” states Dr. Sacks. Music has been found to work when medication is
ineffective because it engages so many parts of the brain. Keeping your brain
healthy can be part of your daily lifestyle as you work to balance the needs of
mind, body and spirit.
