SOME OF BRAIN AGING is beyond our control, but there are still a lot of things you can do to keep your brain as healthy as possible throughout your life and reduce your risk of developing neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease. You can cultivate basic healthy habits including getting regular exercise, but one of your best bets for keeping your brain sharp is to focus on nutrition. After all, like any well-oiled machine, the brain requires proper fuel (translation: nutrients) to work optimally, according to Jonathan Purtell, RD, a registered dietitian at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City.
The brain works around the clock without taking a break. In addition to regulating cognitive functions (like memory and learning), it's also in charge of essential processes including breathing, movement, and temperature control, just to name a few. Eating foods healthy for the brain can help support these functions, providing the right conditions for your brain to thrive.
Brain-Food Basics
But what does a brain-friendly diet look like, exactly? In general, it involves eating a mix of fresh, whole foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. These foods deliver essential nutrients for brain health, including omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and vitamins A, C, and K, says Casey Kelley, MD, founder and medical director of Case Integrative Health, an integrative and functional medicine practice based in Chicago.
Nutrition for brain health is also about what you avoid. Your brain will thank you if you limit processed foods, which can be high in saturated and trans fats, and added salt and sugar-i.e., nutrients that thwart brain health via inflammation and oxidative stress. Thankfully, to make things easier, these guidelines apply to both brain and body health as a whole.
この記事は Real Simple の Anti-Aging 版に掲載されています。
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この記事は Real Simple の Anti-Aging 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
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Go With Your Gut - Each of us has a little voice inside that knows more than the conscious mind. It's called intuition, and it deserves your attention.
Cognitive scientists, who study how human beings think and reason, generally define intuition as knowledge gained without rational thought, and they believe it's a natural part of how our brains work. Humans have two main ways of absorbing information. One is a slow, deliberate process, in which we methodically analyze details for instance, comparing two laptop models before buying. The second happens almost instantly, and the insight feels like it came out of the blue. In fact, though, it's based on data we've gathered subconsciously over time and, in a flash, connected with our past experiences.
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