Are There Foods or Supplements That Help with Brain Function?

We want to stay physically fit as we age, but we want our brains to stay as sharp as possible too! As we get older, we lose brain volume, especially in our area of the brain called the hippocampus, a portion of the brain involved in memory and cognitive function. Yet, you probably know people who are sharp witted even at an advanced age, for example, a 90-year-old who can still complete the New York Times crossword puzzle in record time. So, our brains age at variable rates and this is at least partially dependent on lifestyle. We all age at different rates. Because people are living longer and want to enjoy the latter years of life with a fully functional brain, there’s growing interest in nootropics, supplements that may have cognitive benefits or slow down brain aging. Of course, there’s also interest in the role diet plays in how quickly the brain ages as well. To satisfy the desire to stay sharp and cognitively intact with age, there’s no shortage of supplements that claim to offer brain health benefits – but how many are legitimate? Are there specific supplements or foods that help slow brain aging or enhance cognitive health? Let’s look at some that you commonly hear about. Fish Oil Fish oil, and fatty fish contain omega-3 polyunsaturated fats. The two best-known omega-3’s in fatty fish called DHA and EPA are components of cell membranes, including brain cells. Studies suggest that having a higher concentration of DHA and EPA in cell membranes may offer health benefits. Why omega-3’s? We know that DHA and EPA are important for normal brain development and function. Having a higher ratio of omega-3’s to omega-6 (another type of fatty acid that’s pro-inflammatory) seems to be favorable for brain function and for health. […]

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