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Natural Ways to Boost Brain Power

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Have you ever been in the midst of a conversation and couldn’t remember what you were trying to say?  Do you occasionally forget names?  We all want to be mentally sharp and focused, and there are ways to make this happen!  Give these suggestions a try to help boost your brain power and maximize its full potential.

Try these foods for a healthy brain:

Wild Salmon is one of the best sources of essential fatty acids.  This healthy fat boosts memory and helps to prevent age-related dementia.  Wild salmon is also a rich source of high-quality animal protein, which is essential for healthy brain function.  It also has anti-inflammatory properties, to improve blood circulation in the brain and prevent strokes.

Avocados are chock full of healthy monounsaturated fats which contribute to improved blood flow.  Good circulation is essential to a healthy brain!

Blueberries have been found to protect the brain from oxidative stress and help lessen the effects of age-related dementia.  Studies show that blueberries can slow (and actually reverse) brain decline and boost memory.  Cranberries, raspberries, blackberries and strawberries are also high in brain-enhancing properties.

Walnuts are full of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) which is an essential omega-3 fatty acid.  They also contain important antioxidants that may block inflammation in the body.  Adding walnuts to your diet may reverse age-related decline in the brain and help motor and cognitive deficits.

Other Brain Boosters:

Physical exercise can increase the brain’s ability to plan, organize and multitask.  Physical activity also enhances the mood, and it has been found that people who exercise are less liable to have dementia associated with aging.

Meditation relieves stress, enhances brain function, and stimulates the pre-frontal cortex, the area of the brain responsible for advanced thinking and performance.

Ginkgo biloba is a popular herb taken for enhanced memory, mental performance and circulation.  Although not clear-cut, there is encouraging scientific evidence supporting the use of ginkgo biloba for improved memory in healthy subjects.  Ginkgo biloba extracts are typically taken from the leaf of the tree and are made into tablets, capsules, teas and skin products.

Puzzles and brain teasers enhance creative thinking and problem-solving skills.  Keep your brain young with crossword puzzles or word searches.  For a variety of benefits, try a jigsaw puzzle.  In addition to improving hand-eye coordination and spatial arrangements, these are excellent for developing abilities for analysis, reasoning, deduction and logic.

Quality sleep is vital for a healthy brain!  Insufficient amounts of rest or poor-quality sleep can leave you feeling spacey and may affect your mood and level of performance – both mental and physical.  A University of Minnesota Medical School study found that a full night of deprived sleep impairs drivers in simulated tests as much as being legally intoxicated.

Memory problems and slow thinking can affect the mood, performance levels and even self-esteem.  Give the ideas above a try to keep your brain young, focused and quick!

Sources:

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080410115405.htm

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/11/071106122843.htm

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/ginkgo-biloba/NS_patient-ginkgo

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=six-ways-to-boost-brainpower

http://www.fi.edu/learn/brain/sleep.html