August 6, 2020 general

For a healthy brain, just as is the case for the rest of the body, it is important to avoid damaging substances and activities and to do more of those that are beneficial.  Previously, in Part 1 we discussed the brain dangers of smoking, and anticholinergic drugs (e.g. those with “PM” in their names.) Part 2 covered more brain negatives—antibiotics, agricultural chemicals in the food supply, sugar / corn syrup and excitotoxins (such as MSG and in vaccines). Part 3 began to explain the positive factors such as the importance of gum health, restful sleep, and the exciting restorative Brain Light Pro. Now, Part 4 offers additional positive brain support:

Meditation / Mindfulness. Using MRI brain imaging technology, Harvard University found that people who practice mindfulness / meditation not only had improved brain function, but also visibly improved neural mass (gray matter) in the brain. Read their report. This seems to demonstrate the flip side of the negative effect of stress.

Brain workouts. British research showed that you might shave 10 years off brain aging and degeneration by routinely doing crossword and sudoku puzzles. (At our house, we like the NY Times crossword until the end of the week when they get tougher.) Crafting, reading, playing games, bird watching, learning a language or musical instrument and using a computer are also shown to protect against memory loss. (I’m still searching for a study proving that binge-watching The Big Bang Theory can boost brain health.)

Exercise. Research shows that aerobic physical exercise increases the size of the hippocampus which is the area of the brain responsible for memory and learning. Consistent exercise helps the release of hormones that provide an excellent environment for the growth of brain cells. And, of course, exercise increases blood flow which means more oxygen and nutrients are being delivered to the brain. Strength training helps prevent obesity, insulin resistance and diabetes which are all hard on the brain.

Apparently, we need a balance of brain activity (e.g. puzzles) and brain calming (e.g. meditation). That is like what the body needs to support the brain, i.e. a balance of physical exercise and sleep.

In the next installment, we’ll take a crack at diet and dietary supplements for the brain.