It’s Never Too Early (or Too Late) to Protect Your Brain
Can we talk about how to keep your mind sharp today?
This hits home for me since my mother struggled with dementia the last years of her life. It was excruciating as she changed from her feisty life-loving self. I know so many families struggle with this.
The sad news is that it can happen at a much younger age than my mother, although she was not ‘old’ in her late 70’s when it began. That’s why we have to start understanding how we can keep our mind sharp and healthy.
Here’s something that might surprise you: your brain starts losing neural connections as early as your 20s.
It’s a slow fade at first, but somewhere around your mid-40s, that decline can pick up speed.
If you’ve noticed yourself losing your train of thought more often, or standing in a doorway wondering why you walked in there, take a breath because that’s completely normal, and it doesn’t mean anything is wrong with you.
But normal doesn’t mean you’re powerless. There’s a lot you can do, starting today, to help your brain stay sharp for the decades ahead. Here’s what actually helps.
Give Your Mind a Workout As You Do For Your Body
Your brain is a muscle, in a manner of speaking, and it needs the same kind of use-it-or-lose-it attention your body does.
Crossword puzzles or whatever your favorite mind game or puzzle is, learning a new recipe, learning a new language, or even switching up your daily routine so your brain has to pay attention instead of coasting on autopilot all help keep your mental networks active and firing.
Move Your Body To Feed Your Brain
This one surprises people and maybe will surprise you!
Exercise isn’t just for your heart and your waistline.
Physical activity increases blood flow to your brain and even encourages new brain cell growth.
And you don’t need to run marathons either. A daily walk does real, measurable good. It can be short or as long as you want.
Eat Like Your Brain Is Watching
Because your brain is watching.
We all have gaps in nutrients that we don’t get from our food. That is exactly why I have used food-based supplements for over 44 years.
Certain nutrients are especially important for cognitive health and I take them every day in natural supplement form: omega-3 fatty acids, B vitamins, vitamin K, vitamin E, and zinc all play a role in keeping your mind clear.
I believe your body needs cholesterol to live a long and healthy life, but that doesn’t mean you let your cholesterol get out of control.
If you focus on a diet that’s lower in fat and unhealthy cholesterol and eat more fresh food over processed, you are giving your brain what it needs.
Pay Attention To Circulation
This one is personally important to me because I have had family members with circulation problems, and I have felt for years that if I wasn’t addressing my own body with extra nutrition and daily movement that I would have already had a challenging issue.
Healthy blood flow matters more than most people realize when it comes to mental sharpness.
Some natural plant compounds, like grape seed extract, are known for supporting circulation, which cab help deliver oxygen and nutrients to your brain.*
Anything that keeps your blood vessels healthy, whether that’s diet, movement, or specific nutrients, is doing double duty for your mind.
Support Natural Alertness
Beyond circulation, some natural ingredients are specifically studied for their effects on focus and alertness.
Guarana seed extract, for example, has been researched for its ability to sharpen short-term memory, improve focus, and even speed up reaction time.
It’s the kind of natural support that can complement the lifestyle habits above rather than replace them.
Bottom Line
Nothing we thought about today requires perfection, and I for one am far from perfect. But when it comes to my health, I do make a conscious effort to do more good for my body than bad every single day.
You don’t need to overhaul your life overnight. You just need to start making more brain-healthy choices than not, the same as I learned so many years ago when I started on my natural healthy journey.
A few more vegetables this week. A short walk after dinner. A crossword instead of another hour of scrolling on your phone (I’m guilty too!).
Small, consistent choices add up over the years, and the earlier you start paying attention, the more you protect. If you think about those changes that can start in your 20’s, today is the best time to put a focus on this.
Your brain has carried you through decades of memories, decisions, and love. It’s worth taking care of for the decades still ahead.
MY PERSONAL SUPPLEMENTS
I found a natural nutrition wellness brand 4 decades ago, in 1982 to be exact. Since that time I have used personal care and skin care products that are safe and without so many potentially harmful chemicals that are in many store brands.
I have cleaned my home with non-toxic cleaning products that do a wonderful job without exposing me or my family to chemicals or fumes and keep the air healthy to breathe.
And I have taken the supplements for all of these years. I adjust nutrients with age or seasons of my life and that is very easy to do with a brand that makes science, research and education to consumers a priority.
There are a couple of products I use to help keep my mind sharp. Here are the links to my affiliate page as I am an affiliate for the brand which helps me get my products at a lower cost and I earn some extra income for my family, at no extra cost to the buyer.
Affiliate Disclaimer: This site contains affiliate links, which means we receive compensation, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using the links provided. We appreciate your support so much!
Each of these links goes to a product page that is full of information from Shaklee. Be sure to scroll all the way to the bottom and open any + signs you see. There can be videos and charts and images that all share useful details to learn more about the nutrition benefits.*
OMEGA-3s CAPSULE FORM or GELLY FORM (Both are FSA and HSA eligible)
MULTI-VITAMIN OVER 50 (Formulations WITH IRON and WITHOUT IRON also available)
ELECTROLYTES + BEETROOT FSA and HSA eligible
This past year I added in the Electrolytes since hydration is so important and the beetroot is an added nutrient that can help my brain.* I LOVE the taste of the blood orange over ice. It’s actually a treat to drink one and so much healthier than many high sugar or caffeine drinks that you might use.
If you have any questions about the Shaklee brand, I feel pretty qualified to help after using the products for 44 years, or I can contact the company direct if I don’t know the answer.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational use only and this is not a medical channel. Please check with your doctor before considering health supplements.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
