Reasoning, remembering, reading, writing, and planning, all involve thinking or cognition. These are critical abilities for successful daily living – abilities we often take for granted, until they are lost. Then we can see they are among our most vital human possessions.

Perhaps it’s because these are so valuable, and we are seeing more loved ones losing these abilities, that this has become a major focus of science. In fact there is now more research being conducted on the topic of brain health than any other single topic.
So what have we learned? What have scientists demonstrated we can do to maintain a healthy brain and retain these valuable cognitive assets?

Recent research suggests cognitive decline is in large measure a result of mental malnutrition and a process called oxidation – rusting in the brain. It’s very difficult to think well if our brain lacks the nutrients it needs for energy production, damage control and cellular communication. Functions that tend to fade as we age.

Therefore, the first requirement for thinking well is good nutrition. The brain is a nutrient hog, and requires high amounts of various nutrients for optimal functioning. These include vitamins, minerals, essential fats, proteins, antioxidants, and an amazingly versatile nutrient our body makes called SAMe. The only problem is, the typical American refined, fast food diet is often lacking in these nutrients. For children, this seems less critical, as younger brains are more flexible, and usually have sufficient reserves to function adequately. However, over time and under stress, these nutrient reserves can become depleted, leaving debilitating deficits in areas of the brain needed to control our mood and make memories.

Research with individuals experiencing age related cognitive decline shows these individuals tend to be low in one or more of a variety of nutrients to include folate, B-12, magnesium, L-carnitine, essential fatty acids, antioxidants, and SAMe.

But these deficiencies are not unique to seniors. A typical diet high in simple sugars, refined carbs, and animal fats, and low in nutrient dense complex carbs (from fruit and veggies) and healthy fats (found in fish, nuts, seeds etc) can leave even teenagers lacking in the nutrients needed to think, focus, and learn.

Moreover, these same nutritional deficiencies can also make a person more vulnerable to stress, anxiety, agitation, and depression. And in this state of mind, cognitive therapists have found people have a harder time thinking – effectively and objectively. They are more subject to various thinking errors or “cognitive distortions.”

Moreover, recent research in England, the Netherlands, and various locations throughout the US has shown that once these nutritional deficits are addressed people both think and feel better! Five university studies have shown that a formulation, called PERCEPTIV™, which contains just 6 of these essential nutrients, can effect these results. In one study they found after just three months 74% of participants were able to think faster (on average 20% faster), with greater accuracy on a timed test of executive function – i.e. thinking ability. Moreover, these healthy adults tested as if they were 15-20 years younger. Related research shows that not only do these nutrients help one think better, participants felt better as well, with less agitation and anxiety, which further frees up our thinking abilities. So good nutrition is definitely a key here. Click here to learn more.

Second, no matter how well we eat or drink (and adequate hydration is essential to brain health) if we can’t get those nutrients adequately circulated to the brain we’re going to have problems. Therefore, it’s not surprising that both aerobic and strength building activities, which increase blood flow, have been shown to help people think better as well. One Australian study found that elderly individuals who engaged in just 20 minutes of regular physical activity for six months experienced a 1,800% improvement in memory, language and other important cognitive abilities. Click here to learn more.

Finally, we know the brain is very much a use it or lose it organ, designed for life long learning. When we learn NEW things, that process requires the brain to absorb nutrients and create new neural connections. These then form the physiological basis of future thinking. Almost any higher level cognitive activity, like reasoning, reading, or writing requires the ability to make and later access these patterns or memories.

For example, a simple conversation will require us to remember a wide variety of nouns, verbs, events, and exchanges. And ideally the name of the person we are talking to. These abilities become even more critical if our conversation involves areas of controversy.

Another way to strengthen neural connections is through speed drills – pushing our brain to remember things faster than normal. You can do this with times tables, a list of objects or names, or through computer games. These do for the brain what wind sprints do for the muscles of a runner. Whenever our mind is required to operate more quickly we increase blood flow, oxygen and nutrient absorption in the brain. The result is more brain cell connections and increased mental agility. So learning and remembering new things, and pushing ourselves periodically to recall them faster, results not only in greater intelligence, but quicker response times, and higher achievements. Click here to learn more.

So what’s the plan? First, make sure your body is getting the nutrition it needs to succeed. Exercise on a regular basis to transport those nutrients and oxygen throughout the brain, and then learn something new every day. Just try this with, a few speed drills each day, and see if you aren’t soon thinking and feeling better than you have in years!

David R. Larsen, MFHD
Alzheimer’s Researcher and Post Graduate Instructor in Brain Health
Contact Dave today!