TIDBITS REGARDING THE BRAIN

NOTE: This is an article from my 2014 archives.

Have you ever really stopped and thought about the brain and what an amazing thing it is? I once read that it is the body's Grand Central Station of function, thought, and memory. How true! Vonda Wright, M.D., author Fitness After 40: How to Stay Strong at Any Age and Guide to Thrive, is quoted as saying, "There's never an age or skill level where we can't maintain or rebuild our brains and bodies. Age is not a barrier." That is something this old lady is glad to know! Below are some tidbits about keeping the brain healthy:

• "I do everything to keep my mind healthy," says Michael Roizen, M.D., chief wellness officer of the famous Cleveland Clinic. He goes on to say, "I eat a Mediterranean diet, I exercise, I try to get more sleep than I ever have and I'm constantly exposed to new things."  Sounds like good advice to me!
• The University of Exeter Medical School did a study last year that shows a Mediterranean diet, that is a diet chock-full of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, poultry, and lots of fish, may lower ones risk of developing dementia. The study suggests eating fish once or twice a week.
• MIT research in 2010 showed that loading up on magnesium-rich foods may potentially reverse middle-age memory loss! The following foods are rich in magnesium - soy beans, brown rice, bananas, and pumpkin seeds.
• And once again one of my favorite foods, a beverage actually, goes on the list. Green tea, according to research published in Molecular Nutrition & Food in 2012, may help boost brain cell production to aid memory. Everyone should have at least one cup of green tea a day and I base that on the health research I have been doing for years now. Green tea constantly pops up on healthy lists of foods.

The above is just a small list but enough to get anyone concerned about the brain, forgetfulness, etc, started toward improving their brain health.

Yes, a simple banana is brain food!