CONDITION PROTECTING THE MATURE MIND

The human brain has often been compared to a sponge by many doctors, educators, and researchers. When we are born, our brains are new sponges fresh out of the package that are capable of soaking in all early stimuli it will encounter and later, all the information it can hold as we attend school and begin a lifetime of learning.

But like any other sponge, the human brain is imperfect. As a sponge is used repeatedly to clean dishes, scrub grime, and wipe up messes, it will fall apart and fail to perform as it once did. So, too, will the human brain. As we age, our brain deteriorates, physically speaking and in terms of capability. Memories become lost as nerve connections deteriorate and we fail to recover, or recover more slowly, memories, names, and knowledge.

The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), citing a University College London study published in the British Medical Journal, found that the human brain begins to deteriorate at or around the age of 45. After assessing the memory, vocabulary, and comprehension skills of 7,000 men and women aged 45–70 over a decade, a 3.6 percent decline in mental reasoning was shown to begin between the ages of 45 and 49.

While memory and comprehension skills suffer the most as we age, according to the study, our vocabulary skills retain higher levels by in large as our brain begins to deteriorate. Not only was it discovered that the brain begins to deteriorate as early as 45, but it was also discovered that deterioration increases rapidly with age.

Men and women surveyed showed much higher rates of deterioration as age increased. Men aged 65–70 showed a 9.6 percent decline in mental reasoning while women in the same age ranged showed a 7.4 percent decline.

With enhanced deterioration occurring at an older age, it is difficult to minimize or reverse some of those affects. However, if we know that deterioration can begin as early as 45, we can begin preventative procedures that will have a better chance of succeeding because our brains will be more receptive to them at 45 than at 65.

When we are born, our brain has more neurons, or brain cells, than it will ever have in the future. Human brain tissue is postmitotic, meaning it does not regenerate. When we taste, smell, or view something, our brain processes that stimulus and transmits it to the rest of our body.

This occurs because neuron A transmits information to neuron C through neuron B. If neuron B dies, that makes it more difficult, but not impossible, for A and C to communicate. Neuron A can work to build its own connection with C, but neuron B will never regrow to connect A and C.

Protecting our brains on can festyle

Some is ere are d to rs such as ailability ne umatic l increase from this deterioration can be aided by smart lifestyle choices as we age. Some neurodegeneration is unavoidable, but there are factors that will lead to faster degeneration. Factors such as blood sugar issues, hypoxia (lowered oxygen availability in the brain), hormone imbalances, and traumatic brain injuries can all increase neurodegeneration. ct the generation doesn’t or Blood flow ncreased od toxins teering r intake s, and d a an be ng w estyle and e the brain evel of ealth later

It is easy to protect the brain from neurodegeneration during aging and it doesn’t take a lot of money or prescription drugs. Blood flow to the brain can be increased through exercise, food toxins can be avoided by steering clear of excess sugar intake and processed foods, and proper nutrients and a good fatty acid balance can be maintained by eating right. All it takes are a few simple changes to one’s lifestyle and habits to help ensure the brain maintains a higher level of functionality and health later in life.