A Healthy Brain Is These Vitamins Away

When it comes to keeping your brain in good shape with increasing age, what you eat is at the centre. Eating an array of foods is key to getting all the essential vitamins and nutrients that will keep dementia at bay by helping the brain to function to its potential as you age. Dementia still has no cure. Prevention is the best possible way to avoid coming in the grip of this neurodegenerative condition. Certain vitamins play a significant role in keeping your brain performing at its best. Learn more about these vitamins:

B Vitamins– We are talking about the Vitamins B1, B2, B6, B3, B9 (folate), and B12. Some of the best food sources include green leafy veggies, such as spinach, broccoli, asparagus, beans, fatty fish like tuna and salmon, and fortified breakfast cereals. Increasing intake of these foods can help lower the levels of homocysteine (an amino acid), high levels of which increases risk for Alzheimer’s and dementia. Not to mention a bulk of B vitamin will come from having these foods that supports brain health. Most of your B vitamin should come from things you eat instead of supplements.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids– Omega-3 fatty acids are the healthy fats offering multiple health benefits, including reducing risk of dementia. Your body cannot make these fats, so you must get them through the foods you eat. Some good food sources include

1. fish like tuna, salmon, sardines, cod, Atlantic mackerel and herring;
2. walnuts;
3. flaxseeds;
4. green leafy vegetables;
5. canola oil, and
6. soybeans and soybean oil.

Consumption of the aforementioned types of fish has been proven to reduce the risk of dementia and cognitive decline.

Vitamin E– As you age, your brain’s susceptibility to oxidative stress increases meaning an increased risk for damaged central nervous system, which may give rise to neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. However, vitamin E can reverse this fate by preventing oxidative stress. Some of the best food sources of vitamin E include nuts like peanuts, almonds, and spinach, broccoli, vegetable oil and some breakfast cereals.

Vitamin C– This is another essential vitamin that helps reduce oxidative stress. Increase intake of fruits and vegetables like broccoli, tomatoes, grapefruit, strawberries, oranges, kiwi and cantaloupe.

Overall, according to experts incorporating these vitamins into your everyday meal can positively affect the health of your brain as you age. It is advised to get a consult with your doctor prior to making any changes to your diet or taking any dietary supplements. If your older adult has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia, it is very possible to live a good quality life in spite of the disease through specialized memory care in the hands of memory care experts. Call at 602.909.9550 to book a suite today at Anthem Seniors- an award-winning assisted living Anthem facility in Phoenix. All our staff is well-trained and certified that stimulate resident through a variety of activities, such as exercise, music, pet therapy, cognitive games, crafts, and more.