PROTECT YOUR MEMORY WITH THESE EASY LIFESTYLE AND DIET CHANGES

What is memory and how does it decline as we age?

Our brains reach their maximum size by the time we hit our mid twenties. While new neurons continue to develop throughout our lives, after this point blood flow to the brain starts to decrease and begins to very slowly decline in volume.

An ageing brain can mean more misplaced car keys, missed appointments or forgotten names. But it’s not all doom and gloom though. A large number of studies show that the brain remains capable of learning and retaining new facts and skills throughout life. Some types of memory, such as semantic memory, which relates to your ability to remember facts and concepts, even improve with age.

And there are a number of lifestyle changes that you can make today that will help you minimise the effect of an ageing brain on your memory, and even help to prevent diseases like Alzheimer's. Here are some of our favourite science-backed memory-boosters.

Drink a daily cup of green tea

Studies show that green tea could improve memory and even prevent Alzheimer’s by increasing brain activity and protecting the brain from the formation of beta-amyloid plaques that are thought to cause the disease. One of the most notable studies used MRI technology to view the effect of this favourite hot drink on the brain. Study participants who drank the tea had a notable increase in brain activity, and researchers also discovered that activity increased as the dose was increased.

Add a brain health supplement to your daily routine

Supplements designed to promote brain function are an easy way to incorporate the natural ingredients and nutrients that have been identified as beneficial for mental longevity and performance into your daily routine.

Take the brain-boosting superfood, DHA. A rich source of two types of omega-3 fatty acids, DHA has been shown to improve brain health, but it’s not always easy to source from diet alone. That’s where a supplement can help.  Lumimind Pro+ formulation contain DHA, as well as two dozen of the most potent natural brain boosting ingredients, specially formulated for maximum benefit.

Get plenty of exercise

While there are plenty of ways regular exercise contributes to overall health and longevity, a growing body of research shows that it has a direct impact on your memory and your chances of developing Alzheimer’s disease. In a study carried out by the University of British Columbia, researchers found that regular aerobic exercise boosts the size of the hippocampus, the part of the brain responsible for verbal memory and learning. Regular exercise reduces insulin resistance and inflammation, and stimulates the release of growth factors (chemicals in the brain that affect the health of brain cells), the growth of blood vessels, and the number and resilience of new brain cells.

Getting older doesn't need to mean waving goodbye to your memory. There are a bunch of easy changes you can make to your lifestyle that will boost your brain power now, and help to safeguard it in the future.

Find out more about the superfoods that can protect your brain health here.