However, today the size of the hat has been replaced with scientific research, and we have a more detailed understanding of some of the things the brain reflects. We can use this knowledge to keep the brain in shape throughout our lives and thereby prevent numerous disorders and diseases, associated with a decrease in brain-function.
Earlier it was thought that the brain shrunk as the age increased, and the conclusion of that time's dogma was that very old people's brains were comparable to a dried-out walnut, rattling around inside the cranium. Statements made by the elderly were treated with utmost suspision by the rising generation, and the fear of ending up senile and sclerotic has left its mark on this generation.
Modest Changes of the Brain
Now, however, therse is reason to let out a sigh of relief, since it has become known that it is not all that bad. Examinations of persons of age 20 - 93 from the National Institute on Aging in the USA show that healthy brains are not subject to massive deterioration of the neurons through the years as was thought earlier. Only modest anatomical and metabolic changes come about with time.
The biggest loss happens in those parts of the brain which are not that important to its intellectual functions. From age 20 to age 70 the average loss of brain mass is roughly 10 percent, about 0.2 percent per year. Even though 0.2 percent may seem frightening, it is not the most active part of the brain which is reduced, as stated above. What older people are able to feel is that they become slower at percieving and processing the information they receive.
If healthy, old brains get a little more time, they are usually as good as young brains at identifying and processing information. They just are not as fast.
When some brains age quicker than others, it is caused especially be damage from attacks made by free radicals. Brains are very vulnerable to this, since they primarily consist of fatty substances, and at the same time have a high metabolism. There may be different factors which result in some people's brains coming under attacks by free radicals more often than others'. This may be because of genetic, environmental or lifestyle factors.
Research has shown us that damage to the brain can for the most part be prevented so that you can appear of normal mental function and completely trustworthy even in very old age. An effective antioxidant defense, but also other measures prevent an intellectual collapse.
Mental Work-out
Treat your brain to some daily body-building be reading books, solving cross-word puzzles and by continuously learning new things. Make sure you are mentally stimulated and do not hesitate to try your hand at new challenges. These measures make the brain more resistant to mental weakening, sumply because it stimulates the brain to make new neural connections - something which was thought impossible for highly specialized cells such as neurons.
Avoid stress. A prolonged exposure to stress hormones weakens the brain and makes us stupid and forgetful. Spend a couple of hours each day on you own needs, in order to reduce stress and learn to cope with the stress.
Goodies for the Brain
What applies to the rest of the body also applies to the brain: Eat a healthy and varied diet and take a daily supplement of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. Remember that even though the elderly's appetite may decrease through the years, their need for antioxidants, vitamins and minerals does not. These nutrients, together with omega-3 fatty acids and possibly a supplement of Q10, are very important for the brain and thereby brain function.
There is no need to make your face funnel-shaped and fill it to the brim with pills. We have developed a preventive basic plan, which makes it easy and clear. Supplement with our general advice for healthy as well as for ill ones. You find it by clicking here .
