Everyone knows the importance of nutrition and exercise. We know that in order to keep our muscles in good shape we must exercise. But when was the last time you exercised your brain? A brain workout is just as important as a workout for our bodies and even more so.

A research study performed at the Mayo Clinic and the University of Southern California determined that mental training programs that are computer based appeared to improve cognitive performance in older people by 10 years. So are you curious yet? Are you wondering how to keep your brain fit? Here are a few tips:

• Challenge your brain : Working on games such as word jumbles, crossword puzzles and sudoku (a numbers game), will keep your mind working. In tests of people who worked on crossword puzzles of all ages, those in their 60s and 70s did the best.

• Eat your fruits and vegetables : Yes, not only are they good for us physically but they are good for us mentally as well. The Alzheimer’s Association recommends a diet rich in dark vegetables and colorful fruits. Some examples are spinach, kale and berries, raisins and oranges. They also suggest fish such as trout or salmon which are both high in heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Omega 3-fatty acids keep the neurons in the brain firing as they should.

• Be social : Getting involved in your community or participating in a favorite hobby with others is a great way to become social. Research has found that those with social ties were less likely to suffer cognitive decline. A research study done at George Washington University found that elderly people who joined a choir also increased their other activities within a 12 month time period and those that were not involved in the choir dropped out completely from any other social groups or activities.

• Move your body : Research has found that people who are active and exercised regularly for at least 3 months increased the blood flow to the hippocampus part of the brain. This part of the brain is responsible for memory. The research also showed a production of new brain cells. This increase in blood flow to the brain can offset mini-strokes which tend to cause cognitive decline.

So, let’s start exercising our brain along with our bodies. Keeping our bodies in shape is very important but now we know that keeping our brain in shape is even more important. What will you do today to exercise your brain?

Until next time,

Dr. Mommy