Take these simple steps to protect your brain health

PRIME – August 2014 By Jacqui Brandwynne CEO, Very Private Becoming mildly more forgetful is part of the aging process. However, aggravated memory loss or other thinking problems affecting your daily functions are serious. It is well known that genetics, environment and lifestyle are known risk factors. Yet age itself is the most prominent risk factor that may lead to brain deterioration. The risk of being diagnosed with dementia and/or Alzheimer's disease doubles every five years after individuals reach the age of 65. To date, no cure has been found to stop this devastating disease. However, several important multi-year studies indicate that a combination of factors may indeed slow or even prevent the onset of brain deterioration. What's encouraging is the fact that the results of these various studies have similar conclusions. All focus on health improvement actions to slow, and maybe even prevent, brain disease. While there are no guarantees, following the guidelines to prevention, these lifestyle changes will definitely benefit your heart and your overall well-being. Take these brain-saving steps So, what are these brain-preserving prevention strategies? Here are the top five: Daily exercise is number one. Exercise, at least 30 minutes of fast walking a day, increases the blood cell supply to the brain. It stimulates the nerve growth factor in an area of the brain important to memory and learning. Finally, it increases the brain's ability to maintain old network connections and create new ones. Switch to a diet rich in fruits, veggies and grains. Enjoy raw veggies and leafy greens; the raw states contain all the nutrients and vitamins in these foods. Don't overcook them; you'll lose all the health benefits. Studies suggest that these plant-based foods are beneficial to cognitive health. You may be surprised, but the brain also needs good fats; olive oil, coconut oil, oils from nuts and avocado. Animal fats like butter, margarine and general cooking oils are detrimental to you. Avoid fats from meats – beef, pork, lamb, even chicken and turkey are high in fats and increase the risk to brain and general health. Sugar, too, is definitely harmful to brain health. Fish, on the other hand – especially wild salmon – is excellent brain food. Stimulate your brain. Try crossword puzzles and other brain exercises, many of these are available on the Internet. You can also study an entirely new subject or play games that require thinking and decision-making. Activities that challenge your brain are believed to increase cognitive health. It's also important to be active and increase you social contacts and projects. Stop smoking. Just as it is devastating to your general health, it is equally harmful to your brain. Take control of your health. Be informed about your general health. If you suffer from high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, are overweight or if you're at risk for type II diabetes or depression, get medical help to improve these conditions. Poor health definitely increases the risk of brain disease. Reducing stress and assuring quality sleep are two other potent ways to benefit your brain and overall health. – Jacqui E-mail Jacqui your questions at contact.veryprivate@gmail.com, and visit www.veryprivate.com for valuable relationship information. We never reveal or give out names or addresses. 2014 Brandwynne Corp.