8 Ways To Improve Your Brain Health

Millions of Americans are dealing with degenerative brain diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. And if you've watched any family members suffer with these terrible afflictions then you know how bad it is!

But thankfully, like the majority of our health conditions, it takes our environment and our lifestyle to turn on the genes that cause this diseases, which means that if you start making positive changes to your brain (and overall) health then you can go a long way in hopefully preventing ever having to suffer from these diseases.

There's many things we can all do to improve our brain health, whether you're young or old. But here's 8 things you can do right now in no particular order!

1. EXERCISE - This improves blood flow, and it's degeneration of the blood vessels in our brain, rather than the nerve cells as previously thought that seems to be the biggest cause behind brain deterioration. We used to think that once brain cells are damaged then that's it, it's permanent. But scientists have since discovered that our brain has a neuroplastic ability, meaning it can constantly change and repair cells, so we have to keep those blood vessels healthy. Exercise also improves brain function through movement which challenges the brain to lay down new wiring. We could literally write pages on the benefits of exercise on the brain, so these are just a couple. But the take-away? If you want a healthy brain and body as you age, then get moving!
2. QUIT SMOKING - Studies are showing that how much you smoke has a direct relationship on rates of dementia, with some showing up to 2 times the risk (not to mention all of the other terrible health consequences).
3. POSITIVE THINKING - This allows you to manage stress better, so try things like prayer, meditation, writing in a gratitude journal, or whatever else helps you stay calm, clear, and positive. It'll dampen the fight/flight response that occurs in your brain when stressed.
4. GOOD RELATIONSHIPS - Surround yourself with people who make you feel better about yourself; who care and reach out and share their lives with you; and make sure to include a large diversity of people in your inner circle so that your brain can always be challenged with new ideas and new ways of thinking.
5. SLEEP - Sleep deprivation has a dramatic effect on brain function. If you have difficulty sleeping check out some of our blogs regarding sleep hacks.
6. DIET - Eat a diet high in good fats and low in sugar and anything else inflammatory. Also make sure you eat in a way that promotes strong gut health, because if we inflame the gut, the brain inflames too. Don't forget to eat foods and use supplements that improve blood flow such as Gingko Biloba, Beets, Rosemary, Pepper just to name a few.
7. BRAIN TRAINING & NEW ACTIVITIES - Every time you take on new challenges or try to solve difficult puzzles you are challenging your brain in just the same way that lifting weights challenges your muscles. The brain, like those muscles, works on a use it or lose it basis. 
8. GET ADJUSTED - Every time you get adjusted by a Chiropractor it has a direct effect on the part of the brain known as the Pre-Frontal Cortex, which is in part responsible for dampening the part of the nervous system that fires up that fight/flight stress response.

So if you want to add quality years to your life, a highly functioning brain is necessary as without it, we are nothing. So try these 8 things and see how well your brain, and overall health improves along the journey!