It’s Never Too Late to Improve Your Brain

A recent study by UCLA researchers has found that older peo­ple can improve their brain function after just 14 days of following simple lifestyle strategies.

The study, published in the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, found that people who incorporat­ed healthy food, physical activity, stress reduction and memory exercises into their daily routines were able to improve their cognitive function. After only 14 days of following this type of regi­men, participants’ brain metabolism slowed down in the working memory regions, which means that the brain was not working as hard to accomplish its tasks.

Here are some of the health strategies participants worked into their daily routines:

• Memory exercises, such as crossword puzzles and brainteasers.

• Daily walks.

• Five small meals a day in order to prevent drops in blood glucose levels, as glucose is the main source of energy for the brain. Participants also ate diets rich in omega-3 fats, anti-oxidants and low glycemic carbohydrates like whole grains.

• Daily relaxation exercises to prevent the release of cortisol—a hormone that can impair memory and damage memory cells.

Another benefit of the strategies above? Most of them are great for a person’s physical well-being as well!

“The brain is a wonderful organ. It starts working the moment you get up in the morning and does not stop until you get into the office.”

—Robert Frost