How to Build a Better Brain: Free Event this Saturday!

Welcome new subscribers and a big THANK YOU. This morning on Good Day Alabama, we talked about nutrition and brain health. Brain health is important throughout our entire lives. But, if you’re like me, you’re thinking (and maybe worrying) about it even more as you get older. Is mental decline just inevitable or can we take control of our brain health? The good news is that we do have some control over how well our brains age.

One of the things we talk a lot about on the show is that what’s good for the heart is often good for the head! Brain and heart health have a lot in common – especially when it comes to nutrition and exercise: Plant Based Diets Rule!

o   Whether it’s the Mediterranean, DASH, or the MIND diet, plant-based diets that are high in fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, whole grains, fish, and plant fats (including seed oils – don’t believe the lies some people are spouting about seed oils)

o   Plant based diets help keep your cholesterol low and that’s good for the blood vessels all over your body – including the brain! DASH to a Healthier Blood Pressure

o   High blood pressure is the leading cause of stroke.

o   The DASH diet (Dietary Approached to Stop Hypertension) includes the nutrient trifecta of potassium, magnesium, and calcium from fruits, vegetables, dairy, and nuts & seeds that can lower blood pressure. Add in low sodium eating and you’re on your way to a healthier blood pressure – and brain. Control Your Blood Sugar

o   Diabetes is a risk factor for dementia. So, strive to control your blood sugar through healthy lifestyle habits and for some, diabetes medicines.

Don’t Overdo Alcohol

o   Keep alcohol moderate – one drink or fewer a day for women and two or fewer a day for men.

Don’t Waste Your Money on Brain Supplements

o   Maybe sometime in the future, there will be a nutritional supplement that improves brain function and memory. But so far, the data on all those brain supplements you see in ads falls far short of the “amazing” results they promise.

But there’s more to brain health than these nutrition basics! If you want to learn more about the many things you can do for a healthy brain, you can attend a free Brain Chats seminar this Saturday at the Avondale library at 11 am. Dr. Ronald Lazer, who leads BHAM (the Brain Health Advocacy Mission) at UAB will teach us all about brain health!

I will be there to learn about all I can do for my brain health. I hope to see you there!

Free Brain Health Event:

Saturday August 2 at 11 a.m. at Avondale Library Speaker: Ronald M. Lazar, PhD, UAB Department of Neurology