Senior Health: Developing and Maintaining Brain Fitness

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By Karl Edmunds:

Many seniors have bought into the old story that proclaimed we all experience a slow but steady loss of brain cells (neurons) as we get older. I bought it.

In fact, new research is demonstrating that our brains are vibrant and actually retain most of our cells throughout our lives.

Brain fitness is no longer something we should dismiss as a waste of time but care must be taken to avoid false claims and hype. Miracle claims for eating blueberries, drinking red wine, playing brain games are just a few of the suggestions you may hear.

Science is beginning to sort out the facts. First, eating certain types of foods is not a clear solution. While blueberries and red wine may be of value, the amounts we need to consume to actually help our brain are huge. No doubt, some have volunteered to test the theory with red wine. It is not clear whether an alcoholic or healthier brain will result.

There is a strong consensus that eating a healthy diet is sound advice to ensure good brain health. Beyond good diet, exercise appears to be the leading recommendation for brain health. At first, this may sound strange but if you think of the brain as an organ just like our heart that thrives if it gets plenty of blood and oxygen, then it is easier to grasp.

Columbia University researchers have observed in testing the creation of new brain cells in animals and humans that have engaged in vigorous exercise. Scientists believe generating new brain cells helps us more effectively manage and integrate new ideas and circumstances in our lives.

Simple brain puzzles appear to be insufficient because they only require recall of basic or known information. To ensure brain health we must consistently push ourselves into new and challenging activities. These activities may include joining social groups, learning to play the piano or some musical instrument, reading about new ideas and engaging with people or groups you may not agree with.

These new activities force us to become more pliable and open to new ideas. This forces us to adapt and potentially change our static views of the world. The brain appears to be a pattern making machine and by middle age, these patterns literally control how we see and respond to the world. Breaking up these patterns charges the brain and keeps us thinking more like a young person.

Be curious. Commit to try new things in life and stay active in a daily exercise regime. You will have fun doing it and simultaneously keep your brain fit.

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About The Author:

For more than 20 years, Karl Edmunds has been a noted author within the business and management consulting arena. As a senior, he now engages his curiosity and observations about life to write about key issues of importance to the growing community of seniors (Boomers), and the value of living life to the fullest every single day. Give me your comments and suggests at http://For-Seniors.org or http://plan-retirement.org