Here's a List of 'Brain Foods' to increase Brain Agility

Alzheimer's Disease is an age related disorder which causes dementia. Certain foods and 'brain exercises' help improve memory and cognitive abilities and help you stay active and alert.

Dementia is a symptom which is often associated with a host of chronic disease conditions. Dementia is characterized by reduced brain power and brain functioning; which in turn affects different functions such as memory, thinking, judgement and language. Alzheimer's is one of the most common causes of Dementia, especially in the elderly individuals.
Alzheimer’s is an age-related, degenerative brain disease, that is typified by a decline in the memory and a diminution in the mental functioning of the brain.

Reduction in acetylcholine levels, a vital neuro-transmitter is the chief cause for Alzheimer’s disease. Acetylcholine is indispensible for memory and recall capacity. Some of the common symptoms associated with dementia and Alzheimer's include:

• Memory loss and forgetfulness
• Decreased cognitive power and reduced concentration
• Failure to conduct day to day activities
• Continual mental decline

Though the causative factors of Dementia and Alzheimer's have not been clearly identified, there are certain predisposing factors that are known to contribute to the condition; these are:

• Genetic predisposition and heredity is considered to play a very crucial role.
• Injury to the skull or brain damage increases the risk of dementia.
• Constant exposure to poisonous toxins which in turn may results in oxidative damage to the brain causing dementia.

Eating a correct diet, incorporating certain ‘brain-healthy' foods and following specific guidelines can help keep your brain agile, increase brain power and also prevent the incidence of Alzheimer’s.

As per research studies, those who are engaged in a stimulating and engrossing profession are less likely to develop symptoms of Alzheimer’s and suffer from Dementia. Their work acts like a buffer, thwarting the brutal effects of Dementia effectively.

Here are some simple dietary suggestions and foods that help improve brain power and keep dementia and mental problems at bay:

1. Vitamin B12 and folic acid deficiency is associated with Dementia. Hence, step up your daily consumption of green leafy vegetables, cow's milk, yogurt, peas, and eggs.These are great sources of vitamin B 12 and folic acid.

2. Incorporate Flax seed Oil, Fish Liver Oil, and nuts like walnuts, almonds and cashewnuts in your daily diet. These are packed with Omega 3 fatty acids, which is an essential fatty acid that helps stave off the development of dementia.

3. Carotenes are potent anti-oxidants that prevent oxidative damage to your brain. Tomatoes, bell peppers, papayas, mangoes, and melons are brilliant sources of these anti-oxidants.

4. Steer clear of refined and processed foods and avoid trans fats. These foods are known to cause hormonal imbalances in the body which in turn could affect your overall mental functions.

5. Herbs like Cinnamon and Saffron are considered very good to increase brain power and prevent dementia. Blend with raw honey and consume the paste about once every day.

Here are some simple tips that can help improve brain power and enhance different mental functions including memory and cognition.

1. Staying mentally active is important to increase brain power as well as improve mental function. Always try to learn new skills, which you dont already possess. Learning new skills creates new connections between nerve cells; and helps the cells correspond better with one another. Accordingly, this helps the brain to gather, process, estimate, scrutinize and store data effortlessly; no matter, what the age. Learn a new language or a computer program. Involve yourself in an online research study. All these activities will keep the brain active, agile and healthy.

2. Yoga and Mediation are also considered to be highly beneficial in improving mental skills and enhancing mental health.

3. Solve a crossword puzzle daily. It sharpens your intellect.

4. Reading perks up the brain’s functioning and maintains a good memory for longer. You could read a book or a journal or any content online. A minimum reading of half an hour a day is recommended to keep the brain active.

5. Pursue a hobby. Study a foreign language, craft and art, pottery, music, sewing, cooking or gardening; they all keep you occupied and check stagnation.

6. Interact with lots of people; it keeps you agile mentally.Interactions not only help you learn new things but also keep you emotionally satisfied.

7. Mudra therapy ( a component of yoga) is very effective in enhancing mental health and functions appreciably.