Maintaining your memory depends in no small part on staying strong and healthy. In our last post, we talked a little bit about the impact that regular exercise can have on improving and maintaining memory function. In this post, we will take a closer look at how a healthy diet can do the same.
As we grow older, our bodies undergo a number of physical changes that, left unchecked, can dramatically affect our mental functions. Nutritional absorption rates, for example, naturally decline with age. This can result in vital deficiencies in vitamin B12, which protects neurons and promotes healthy brain function. Avoiding (or quitting) smoking and drinking can greatly reduce the risk of B12 deficiencies as well as many other memory-loss risk factors.
Numerous studies indicate that foods rich in omega-3 fats (such as salmon, tuna, trout, walnuts and flaxseed) have a significant positive impact on memory and brain function. What’s more, the antioxidants found in abundance in fresh produce literally keep your brain cells from “rusting.”
In addition to eating healthy, hydration is also important. Older adults are significantly more susceptible to dehydration, which can result in confusion, drowsiness, memory loss and other symptoms that look like dementia.
Stay tuned for this week’s final post, when we will look into some mental exercises that you and your loved ones can practice to improve memory improvement.
If you have any healthy food tips that you’d like to share, please put them in the comments below!