OILS found In fish such as salmon and mackerel aid vision and brain development, as well as helping the brain process information.
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CARROTS contain vitamin A, good for scavenging up the free radicals that can attack the brain.
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VITAMIN B1 helps burn up carbohydrates, which provide the brain with most of its energy. Found it in wholemeal bread and cereals, vegetables, nuts, meat and yeast, which also supply the vitamin B0 needed for the nervous system generally
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IRON in liver, eggs, whole grains and leaf vegetables assists in bringing oxygen to the brain.
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LINOLEIC acid - part of the make-up of brain mernbranes- is to be found In polyunsaturated fats.
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OLIVE OIL’S antioxidant properties and high levels of natural vitamin B may prevent premature senility, as well as helping to ward off other diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular disease.
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ST JOHN’S WART is one of a number of herbs and natural remedies said to enhance brain power and beat depression.
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Another factor which can affect brain ageing is exercise - or lack of it. Physical exercise, such as yoga, brings better circulation to the brain but mental exertion is also crucial.
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If you have a demanding job in which you have to make important decisions all day, you might like to exercise your brain in other ways when you’re off duty, by reading novels or simply daydreaming. If your work is unchallenging, you should try to create challenges for your brain outside work, through a hobby or activity that requires a great deal of concentration. In any case, you should be exercising your brain through word games, crosswords, quizzes, interesting conversations and debates. Also, try thinking yourself young.
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LAUGHTER
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IF YOU don’t have love, joy and laughter in your life, you’re not really living. Grumpiness is also one of the greatest age accelerators- far worse than grey hair. Learn to laugh things off more because laughter has been shown to have a positive effect on the appearance and on the immune system.
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Blood pressure is lowered when we laugh and levels of cortisol, a substance released in times of stress or distress, are measurably lower when we are happy. other positive enzymes and endorphins - the body’s natural opiates - are demonstrably raised even by a short period of laughter.
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A child of six laughs 300 times a day, while the average adult has 50 laughs and a depressed person fewer than six. If you need cheering up, do some volunteer work in hospitals or for people worse off than yourself. Count your blessings.
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Look at yourself in the mirror. Is your natural expression a frown? If so, smile and consciously try to smile more each day. As well as making you look younger and exercising the face and neck muscles, the very act of smiling releases endorphins, and smiling more, even without any particular reason will therefore make you healthier.
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Belly laughing is great exercise as well as bringing additional oxygen into the system. Try whatever it takes, from watching slapstick comedies to being able to laugh at yourself and at what life throws at you. It has been proven that just forcing a grin will fool your body into feeling more cheerful.
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