Pump the Brakes on Brain Aging in 15 Minutes Flat
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted September 10, 2022
Dear Living Well Daily Reader,
I’m going to give it to you straight. Aging is tough on your whole body.
Your joints… heart… and even your youthful skin all begin to show the effects of the passage of time.
But aging takes the biggest toll on your brain.
Because as the years go by, you lose brain cells. Eventually, your brain literally begins to shrink. And while some shrinkage is normal, an accelerated shrink could lead to major memory problems.
Fortunately, recent research has revealed one of the BEST ways to keep a sharp, healthy brain as we age. And it couldn’t be any easier.
In fact, in just 15 minutes a WEEK, this simple change could pump the brakes on aging and give your brain a BIG boost.
If you feel your brain is a bit more sluggish than it used to be, you’re not alone. Most people over 40 are measurably slower at thinking tasks than those young whippersnappers.
In fact, that delay in processing speed is one of the main measurements scientists use to distinguish between old brains and newer ones. And that same drop in processing speed is also what makes us FEEL old.
But lucky for us, researchers have confirmed we not only can boost our mental processing speed, regardless of our age. It doesn’t take a huge commitment to see some significant improvement.
A new study published in the journal Neurology showed that women who exercised regularly had a significant boost in mental processing speed. The guys benefitted too. But their uptick in processing speed was a bit more modest.
The researchers found that women who were physically active for just 15 measly minutes a week erased an impressive 2.75 years from their brain age. But it gets even better. The ladies who exercised the most, fitting in some movement every day, knocked an incredible 13 years off their brain age.
Women’s and men’s bodies benefit from daily exercise in a variety of ways. But to keep your brain “young” and firing on all cylinders, don’t stop there. Try my Brain Protection Plan instead:
- Creatine: This brain-friendly amino acid can help improve short-term memory and reasoning. Plus, it also supports energy production and benefits aging brains.
- CoQ10: This powerful antioxidant has neuroprotective effects. It can improve learning and memory deficits and helps to provide energy throughout the body.
- Antioxidants: Vitamins A and C and phytonutrients, including bioflavonoids, flavanols, and polyphenols, are natural antioxidants that can help prevent oxidative stress from damaging brain cells. This is critical for older brains that essentially stop replacing dead or dying neurons. Coffee, chocolate, wine, and brightly colored fruits and vegetables are good sources of antioxidants.
- Mitochondrial support: Mitochondria are the energy-producing motors of our cells. Supplementing with mitochondrial-supporting CoQ10, alpha lipoic acid, astaxanthin, selenium, and vitamin E can boost your brain’s energy.
- Herbs: Curcumin and bacopa are herbs that help decrease inflammation and act as powerful antioxidants. Curcumin can help improve memory and mood. And bacopa is used to support mental focus and improve memory.
You can’t stop the hands of time. But you CAN slow down the effects of aging on your brain. Commit to moving more and taking these extra steps to protect your memory.
P.S. Every time you strap on your walking shoes and head out the door, you boost your brain power. Now researchers have discovered that this brain-boosting mineral could AMPLIFY your exercise efforts even more.
Source:
“Effects of Sex, APOE4, and Lifestyle Activities on Cognitive Reserve in Older Adults,” Neurology, Aug 2022, 99 (8) e789-e798; DOI: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000200675
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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