An article published by the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) talks about brain aging, disclosing that the human brain starts to age at 30 years of age, declines at 40, and shrinks after 60. Your brain starts to malfunction even when you think that you are still young!
5 Symptoms signaling brain aging.
1. Certain heart diseases
Heart diseases such as heart failure, atrial fibrillation, etc., will cause a decrease in blood discharge from the heart and an inadequate blood supply to the brain due to incomplete heart contraction. As a result, the brain will be short of blood and oxygen in the long term.
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2. Damage to the intestines
Being called “the second brain,” the intestines are closely related to the brain. Damaged intestines may cause stress-activated brain diseases and accelerate brain aging.
3. Harmful eating habits
The intake of high-fat food (causing arteriosclerosis), sweets (causing diabetes), salty food (causing hypertension), or an inadequate intake of staple foods (causing a shortage of glucose which the brain cells need) are harmful to the brain.
4. Staying up or suffering from insomnia on a long-term basis
The brain keeps working and produces waste when we are awake. Cleaning of these wastes by the cerebrospinal fluid is more efficient when we are sleeping. The brain will function worse if the wastes accumulate over a long time.
5. Always doing things in the same way
We are used to doing things in the way that we are familiar with. This will deprive the brain of having challenges and inventing new ways to do things. If the brain can not maintain good cognitive functions it will degenerate.
How to delay brain aging
1. Eat foods that will nourish the brain
A. Eggs: the nutrients in eggs can improve the function of autonomic nerves.
B. Fish: fish can benefit brain cells and facilitate the ability of logical thinking and judgment.
C. Walnuts: are rich in unsaturated fatty acid, which is an antioxidant and an important ingredient of brain cells.
D. Vegetables: dark-green vegetables, such as broccoli or spinach, are rich in vitamins and are beneficial for the metabolism of brain cells.
2. Keep beneficial eating and sleeping habits
Do not stay up late; it will keep the brain from being tired. Eat a balanced diet to provide a good supply of nutrients to the brain.
3. Persist in doing exercise
Doing exercise can provide more blood to the brain, maintain good cognitive function, and delay the aging of the brain.
4. Do not drink too much or smoke
Refraining from over-drinking and smoking can reduce the risk of cardiac diseases. Hypertension or diabetes will damage the micro-vessels in the brain. Good control of blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, and body weight is important to keep the brain functioning well and delay brain aging.
5. Participate in social activities
Active participation in social activities can effectively stimulate the brain and delay aging.
6. Relax
Research reveals that staying relaxed can release our brain from stress and help it rest. Stress activates toxins accumulated in the brain producing free radicals and stress hormones, which are harmful to the brain. Staying relaxed, sitting meditation, or listening to music are some methods to relax and stay away from stress.
7. Move the fingers frequently
Moving the fingers frequently by painting, writing, carving, or rotating small balls in the palm can stimulate the brain and keep it from aging.
Translated by Audrey Wang
