Put the Brakes on BRAIN SHRINK
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted July 9, 2023
I’m often greeted with a shocked look when I tell folks that their brain is shrinking.
But I assure you it’s a perfectly natural thing. It happens to ALL of us.
Research shows that adult brains tend to get smaller with each passing year. In fact, the science suggests that after 40, brain weight typically drops by about five percent per decade.
After 70, the shrink usually accelerates.
As you might expect, with that faster shrink, you can develop slower processing speeds, more trouble multitasking, increased difficulty learning new things, and problems with short and long-term memory.
And a faster shrink can INCREASE those issues.
So it’s in your best interest to beef up your brain and keep it as BIG as possible for as LONG as possible.
A new study published in the journal European Journal of Nutrition revealed that an often-overlooked mineral could be one key to slowing the shrink.
The researchers found that folks who eat a magnesium-rich diet are SIGNIFICANTLY more likely to have LESS brain shrinkage as they age.
According to the National Institutes of Health, adults should eat between 320 mg and 430 mg of magnesium daily. But it was the study participants who ate MORE than that who had the beefier brains.
The folks with the healthiest brains ate MORE than 550 mg of magnesium daily.
You can increase your magnesium intake by eating more…
- leafy green vegetables (like spinach)
- legumes
- nuts
- seeds
- whole grains
Supplements are also available if you aren’t getting enough through your diet alone.
But don’t quit with magnesium. There are MORE steps you can take to keep your brain in TIP TOP shape and slow the shrink as you age:
- Exercise: Just like the rest of your body, your brain THRIVES on exercise. Walking, dancing, swimming, golf, pickleball, gardening, household chores, and more ALL count. Make sure you spend some time moving your body DAILY.
- Nutrition: Magnesium is critical for a healthy brain. But so are other minerals, including zinc, copper, and selenium, as well as bunches of vitamins. I suggest a good multivitamin to cover your bases.
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Fish oil contains essential omega-3 fatty acids that support proper brain function and protect against oxidative damage.
- CoQ10: Coenzyme Q10 is a powerful antioxidant that helps provide your brain and body with critical energy. You can increase CoQ10 levels by eating more fatty fish, organ meats, and whole grains. Supplements are available as well.
- Antioxidants: Free radicals can damage brain cells. Antioxidants fight that oxidative damage. Vitamins A, C, and E and lutein and zeaxanthin (found in leafy greens) support brain health. And you can easily boost your antioxidant phytonutrient intake (polyphenols, carotenes, etc.) with superfood supplements.
We can’t stop our brains from shrinking as we age. But we CAN apply the brakes, slow that shrink to a crawl, and keep our mind firing on all cylinders for many more years to come.
P.S. According to researchers, the Mediterranean diet (with a bit of a twist) may make your brain age SLOWER. CLICK HERE to discover how this common “pond weed” grows a YOUNGER brain.
Source:
“Dietary magnesium intake is related to larger brain volumes and lower white matter lesions with notable sex differences.” Eur J Nutr (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-023-03123-x
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
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