If you’ve ever walked into a room and forgotten why you came, you’re not alone. Stress, poor diet, and lack of sleep affect more than just your waistline. It may also be the reason why you don’t feel as sharp as you used to.
Brain function, concentration and vision levels may decrease as we age, making it even more important to focus on the areas of our health that can boost brain performance.
Here’s what you can do to keep your mind active and your vision sharp throughout the years.
Dangers of Memory Loss, Lack of Concentration and Impaired Vision
If you feel like your brain may be working against you as you get older, that’s because in many ways it is. According to a study published in the Postgraduate Medical Journal, the brain shrinks in size with increased age. After the age of 40, your brain has a weight decline of about five percent per decade. This rate increases after the age of 70. As we age, our brain decreases in volume, especially in the frontal cortex, which specifically affects cognition.
This shrinking is due to the death of brain cells, which may be caused by improper diet, high alcohol intake, and irregular exercise. The biggest cognitive change that is affected is memory, which is a common characteristic of Alzheimer’s disease. Impaired memory and concentration are not the only scary factors associated with ageing. Visual impairment may also occur as we get older.
According to a 2013 study, visual impairment is associated with an increase in falling. The study found a link between poor vision and lack of balance. Visual impairment in the older generations is only expected to worsen in the future.
A 2016 study estimated that cases of blindness and visual impairment will double by the year 2050. Another 2016 study linked visual impairment to cognitive and physical function decline in old age. The study found that elderly patients with visual impairments had a loss of interest in activities along with a fear of falling, which has a large effect on cognitive function.
According to the authors of the study, approximately three-quarters of vision loss is avoidable and there are many eye care interventions that are highly cost-effective. The easiest place to start is with your diet.
Finally, the decline of memory, concentration and vision may also play a major role in mental health. Depression, dizziness, confusion and headaches have been associated with the effects of ageing.
Unhealthy habits, such as a diet high in refined foods and a sedentary lifestyle, may cause an accumulation of toxins in areas that affect blood flow to the brain, spike blood sugars, or cause acidosis, which may all affect cognitive function.
Keep Your Brain and Vision Sharp With These Health Hacks
- Even if you aren’t at the age where you feel worried about Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, you can keep still your brain sharp and reduce your risk of cognitive decline by improving your diet, getting more sleep at night and exercising daily. Avoid the temptation to use caffeine as a stimulant for keeping your brain sharp as this may cause nutritional deficiencies. Instead, you can strengthen your vision by doing these simple eye exercises.
- In addition, the right foods will help keep your mind active. Omega-3 fatty acids are a type of monounsaturated fat that's crucial for optional brain health and development. Good sources of omega-3 foods include salmon and other oily fish, flaxseed oil, chia seeds, walnuts, spinach and broccoli. Other monounsaturated fatty acids are avocados, coconut oil, bone broth, egg yolks, and extra virgin olive oil.
- Antioxidants are an important part of keeping your memory and concentration levels in tip-top shape. Blueberries have one of the highest concentrations of antioxidants known to man. Turmeric, green, leafy vegetables, beets, and celery are also a good source of antioxidants that are known for promoting brain health. B vitamins are especially needed for energy metabolism that fuels the glucose needed to give the brain its fuel. Foods that are high in B vitamins include chicken, turkey, salmon, fortified cereals, leafy green vegetables, potatoes, eggs, lentils, and nuts.
- UnoCardio Active Mind + Vision Complex is a unique formula of high-quality nutrients specifically designed to counteract the effects of ageing on the brain. It contains omega-3 fatty acids from clean sources of fish as well as a powerful blend of antioxidants to combat free radical build up surrounding the areas of the brain needed to provide fuel. UnoCardio Active Mind + Vision Complex helps combat brain fog when you need it most at the office, and it also helps protect your brain as you age.
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