Age with Agility-Keep Your Mental Processes Going Strong

Michael Merzenich, PhD, professor emeritus at the University of California, San Francisco and a pioneer of the concept of neuroplasticity says “We now understand that the brain is continuously rewiring itself based on our experiences.”

Not only can you form new wiring among existing brain cells, you also can grow new ones, says neurologist David Permutter, MD, author of The Better Brain Book. We were always told you were given a finite number of brain cells and that it was downhill slide as you aged. But, in fact, the human brain retains the ability to grow new brain cells throughout your lifetime.

Here are some expert tips shown in the latest research to boost brainpower:

Break a Sweat- Aerobic workouts stimulate production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein that helps neurons function better and fuels brain-cell growth.

Color your Plate- Antioxidants in colorful vegetables and dark-skinned fruits can fend off free radical damage in the brain and turn on genes that protect against inflammation, which has been show to increase dementia risk.

Befriend DHA- DHA is an omega-3 fatty acid abundant in oily fish and algae.

Clear Your Brain-Stress boosts production of cortisol, a hormone that is particularly detrimental to cognitive function. One proven way to lower cortisol and boost brain cells is to meditate.

Prioritize Sleep-Lack of sleep also can lead to a surge of cortisol and it inhibits the production of BDNF.