According to the Alzheimer's Organization, one in nine people in the United States over the age of 65 have Alzheimer's disease, and about a third of people over 85 and older.. My father-in-law had the disease and my mother-in-law had dimentia, both of them in their 80's. Some of it is caused by aging and other factors, and some from genetics. Both of my parents had some form of dimentia in their late seventies. As we get older we experience some of these challenges in some form or another. We get forgetful, more irritable, unreasonable, argumentative ..etc.. Researchers found that by the time we are in our 40's we lose about 5% of our brain volume/weight and our brain does not create new brain cells. We continue to lose 5% about every decade, so by the time we are in our 80's we have already lost 25%. Many times we ignore or dismiss the signs, because it is painful to admit that it is happening to us or to our loved ones. In the past it was believed that we lose brain cells and cannot create new ones.
However, here are the good news. According to new studies, our brain CAN and does continue to make new nerve cells (called neurogenesis....in greek neuro means nerve and genesis means birth), throughtout our lives. This takes place in the part of the brain called hippocampus, which is involved in memory, learning, mood and emotions. Our brain re-organizes itself, creating new pathways and connections among brain cells.
So, if this is true, then what can we do to help our brain? According to the "experts"/"researchers", what hinders nerve creation is chronic stress, bad diets, excessive alcohol, and not getting enough sleep and of course, aging (something we cannot prevent). Other than aging, we have control over all these other factors. We can make positive changes. Among the things they recommend are:
- aerobic exercises, brisk walking being the best..
- moderate alcohol consumption..
- eating 70% cacao, dark chocolate..
- eating fruits and vegetables..
- omega 3 fatty acids...eating fish, nuts and healthy oils..
- cutting our calories by 20 to 30 % (this one doesn't sound to fun to me)..
- Sex....
- get your brain thinking new things. Learn a new language, game or instrument. Travel to unfamiliar places, attend a lecture or a play that really makes you think, or read a subject that is outside of your normal subject. In other words get out of auto-pilot and challenge yourself!
So, what are some new things YOU can do to teach an older brain new tricks? It is never too late..We can do it! We can all work on improving some areas of our lifestyles and get new brain neurons!
"Worrying is like paying a debt that may never come due" Will Rogers....
Why cause ourselves unnecessary stress? Let go.....and let God....
Have a great Day
