Eat to Remember
I recently heard someone say that living a healthy lifestyle is like trying to climb up a down escalator, if you see what I mean! At the top of the escalator is optimum health and wellness, and at the bottom is sickness and disease. If you put in enough effort you can climb to the top, but as soon as you stop you immediately lose ground. Unfortunately, many people seem to be living their lives in such a way that they are running down the escalator.
Another reality is that as we get older and our bodies break down as part of the ageing process, living a healthy lifestyle takes even more effort. For many individuals and their families one of the most difficult aspects of the ageing process is the loss of memory and cognitive function. The good news is that if you feed your brain the right foods you can improve your memory.
The first rule is to eat a lot of brightly coloured fresh fruits and vegetables. These foods are rich in vitamins and antioxidants. Blueberries, cherries, and strawberries are great sources of anthocyanin which is a memory boosting phytochemical. Spinach, peas, oranges and broccoli contain high levels of folic acid which lowers homocystein levels in the body. High levels of homocystein are associated with memory loss. Another great food you can use to flavour your food and boost your memory is Rosemary. The active ingredient in Rosemary, carnosic acid, has been called a neuroprotective and may help in preventing degenerative neurological conditions such as Alzheimer’s.
The second rule is to make sure you get your Omega-3 essential fatty acids that are necessary for proper nerve function. What makes it essential is that our bodies can’t make it, so it is “essential” that we get it from our diet. Salmon, sardines, and herring are great sources of Omega-3s. If these don’t sound appetizing to you there are many good Omega-3 supplements on the market. Just visit your local health food shop.
So, as you climb up that escalator of health and wellness, make sure you properly fuel up, and the next time you remember to eat, eat to remember.
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