The scariest part of aging is the thought that someday you may not recognize your loved ones or remember your own name. It’s a very real situation for many of our nation’s elderly. In fact, according to the National Institute on Aging, people 80 years old or older have 50% risk of cognitive decline (1). This can start off as simply as not remembering a grocery list to progress to not remembering where you live.
When it comes to brain health, prevention is the best medicine. The healthy habits you get into before you turn 80 are crucial in determining whether or not you will be affected by cognitive decline.
Current pharmaceuticals on the market do little in preserving mental functions (2). On top of that, they tend to have a long list of negative side effects. No matter how old you are, there is something you can do to better your chances of having a strong, healthy brain in the future.
Changing your diet and exercise routine is the first step in having a healthier body and state of mind. These things go hand in hand with managing the nutrients you consume. Here’s a list of three crucial nutrients that are often overlooked in preventing cognitive decline.
1. The Single Most Important Antioxidant For Your Brain And Heart
Antioxidants play a huge role in how your body fights aging by targeting free radicals that damage cells. CoQ10 is the #1 antioxidant that your brain craves. It’s essential to produce energy, and your brain is among one of the most energy-craving organ in your body. CoQ10 also plays an important role in heart health as well as keeping overall energy levels at their peak.
CoQ10 deficiency results in low brain function, slow thoughts and bad memory. As you get older, your body produces less and less CoQ10. Significant drop in CoQ10 production can be seen after the age of 30. By the time you reach 50 your CoQ10 is at an alarmingly low level.(3)
Studies have shown that CoQ10 is the best brakes your body has to slow down brain decline. According to the UCSD, ensuring CoQ10 levels at the daily recommended intake can slow down brain deterioration by up to 44% (4). Elevating your CoQ10 levels even higher can result in sharper mental acuity, more fluid motor abilities and increased mental energy (5).
2. The Omega-3 Your Brain Craves The Most
Omega 3 fatty acids do wonders for your brain health. These acids include DHA, ALA and EPA. While the other two forms of Omega three are important to keep your body in balance, DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) is the most important to your brain.
DHA works for your brain by speeding up brain wave activity, conserving a healthy memory as well as creating new synapses in the brain. However, the older you become the more difficulty your body has in absorbing DHA. Hence the reason why older people tend to supplement their diets with omega-3 supplements.
According to a recent study, patients who had a regular DHA consumption saw a 60% decrease in cognitive decline (6). Similarly, elderly patients who suffered from lower cognitive abilities had strikingly low levels of DHA in their brains. The majority of adults age 65 and older already have critically low levels of this healthy fat.
3. A Powerful Brain Protecting Spice You Should Eat Everyday
India has some of the healthiest brains in the world. In fact, Indian people have one the lowest rates of cognitive decline in the world. In India, death rate caused by dementia/alzheimer’s is 8 times lower than their US counterpart. They are also the country that eats the most turmeric on the planet (7).
This correlation is important because turmeric contains the antioxidant curcumin, which works hard to protect the brain. It does so by activating a vital gene signal which protects nerves, prevents degeneration of neurones and increases antioxidant enzymes in the brain. It also help protect your brain against fluoride.
Tumeric also counteracts inflammation all over your body and keeps your precious memories safe. Best of all, it tastes great!
sources :
(1) https://www.nia.nih.gov/alzheimers/topics/alzheimers-basics
(2) https://www.nia.nih.gov/alzheimers/publication/alzheimers-disease-medications-fact-sheet
(3) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10416032
(4) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12374491
(5) https://www.researchgate.net/publication/6607418_Coenzyme_Q10_A_review_of_its_promise_as_a_neuroprotectant
(6) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12873849 & https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9392577
(7) https://www.worldlifeexpectancy.com/cause-of-death/alzheimers dementia/by-country/