Boost Your Brain

Do you remember what color underwear you're wearing? No? Nutritionist and physical therapist Kendra Coppey does! For her brain-boosting secrets, keep watching! While some decreased brain functioning is inevitable as we age, these easy, healthy tricks can help keep your brain in tip top shape. Want proof? My underwear is purple-and I didn't have to look! Do you eat breakfast? If you're looking to boost your brain power, you should. A. The brain is very active tissue, using up to 30 percent of the calories you consume daily. B. Breakfast provides the fuel that your mind needs after fasting all night. What you eat can have as large an impact as when you eat it. Certain foods can improve brain functioning, reaction time and creativity levels. Because the brain is composed of 60 percent fat, providing it with "good fats" keeps it in top condition. A. Eggs, B. oily fish like salmon and sardines, C. and almonds are good sources of brain-boosting fatty acids. D. These foods are also rich in choline, a chemical that is fundamental to strong memory. A. Your brain also loves fruits and vegetables. The antioxidants in these foods help to neutralize brain-damaging free radicals, like environmental toxins. B. Try to get five to nine servings of orange and red fruits and dark leafy vegetables daily. Some dietary supplements have also been shown to improve brain functioning. Ginko biloba is an herb that increases blood flow and oxygen supply to the brain. Iron is a mineral that also helps transport oxygen to the brain. Iron deficiency is the most common nutrient deficiency in America, so keep levels stable by eating natural sources of iron, such as lean meats and beans, or by taking a supplement. One of the best ways to get your brain moving is to get your body moving! Exercise promotes the growth of new brain cells and boosts the flow of oxygen to your mind. Even if you're not a marathon runner, you can still get the brain-boosting benefits of exercise by walking for 30 minutes, three times a week. This can advance learning, concentration and abstract reasoning by up to 15 percent! When it comes to improving brain function, never underestimate the power of sleep! Rapid eye movement, or REM, sleep is when your brain processes new memories, and practices new skills. ensure you enter REM sleep, get the doctor-recommended seven to nine hours each night for optimal brain-power each day. Practice makes perfect, and brain power is no exception! Give your mind a daily workout. Do a soduku or crossword puzzle or challenge a friend to a game of trivial pursuit. Increase the efficiency of your exercises by listening to classical music. Studies have show that stimulating tunes improve mathematical and spatial reasoning. A mixture of brain-boosting foods, supplements and stimulating activities can keep the wheels turning fluidly for years to come-talk about a load off your mind!