Diet And Exercise Are Key To A Healthy Brain

Did you know smart diet and exercise will keep your mind sharp well into your "golden years"? It's true! The same strategies which help prevent heart disease, diabetes, and even cancer are also great brain boosters.

Contrary to what most people think, the brain is actually integrated with the rest of the body...not  a separate organ. Brain "fog" and depression are both common symptoms of autoimmune disorders such as fibromyalgia and is a perfect example of the brain-body connection.

Here are 3 steps to a better brain:

Heard of the Mediterranean Diet? Than you already know the heart-healthy benefits but did you know new research also suggests it's good for your brain?

According to  Martha Clare Morris, PhD, a nutritional epidemiologist at Rush University in Chicago, those who adhered to the MIND diet - a hybrid of the Mediterranean diet and Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) -  showed significantly slower cognitive declines...the equivalent of 7.5 years younger...than those who didn't. Research also shows the MIND diet may help reduce the risk of Alzheimer's by up to 54%. 

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Do you exercise regularly? If not, you need to get moving and start nourishing your noggin.

Exercise is as important for mental function as it is for physical. Movement helps produce  the protein BDNF, a brain-derived neurotrophic factor, which helps new brain cells form while helping keep existing neurons young. You don't need to become a star athlete...simply walking too fast to sing is enough to get the blood pumping.  Do this or another form of moderate aerobic activity for about 150 minutes a week and you'll be well on your way to a healthy mental game.

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"If your gut is unhappy, then your brain is unhappy" says Rebecca Katz, MS, author of The Healthy Mind Cookbook: Big-Flavor Recipes to Enhance Brain Function, Mood, Memory, and Mental Clarity.

Neurotransmitters in the gut, referred to as the "second brain"  are directly related to the neurotransmitters in the brain. Dementia and autoimmune diseases, such as diabetes and arthritis, triggers body wide inflammation which may stem from bacteria in an unhealthy gut. How do you tame this inflammation? By incorporating probiotic foods including fermented foods such as sauerkraut and kimchi to promote beneficial gut bacteria.

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Need help figuring out where to begin? Look no further. Innovative Therapy & Wellness has got you covered. Our expert staff hosts everyone from Doctors of Physical Therapy and Nutritional Therapists to Personal Trainers and Pilates Instructors to help you start your journey to a healthy heart and sharp mind. Call (757) 486-8663 today for more information.