Anointedtoday.blogspot.com: Does the Brain Shrink?

Were you aware that the brain may shrink with age? Did you know that your brain health is vital to your body?

Brain Health

How much do you know about the brain?

Do You Worry About Brain Shrinkage?

Good News:

1. Changes

I recall when I was younger an older lady telling me, “It’s no fun getting old.” She complained about doctor’s appointments and much more. She even brought me pictures to show what she looked liked when she was younger. To my surprise those pictures did not match the way that she looks now. She was much taller and slimmer as well. Now she seemed much shorter. I could not relate and did not understand. Although I understand now. I also know that life is what you make it. I know that happiness comes from within. It is up to me to keep sharp. I also know that older people are not the only one’s with misfortune. Young people and even babies suffer with Cancer, immune diseases and much more. During the Pandemic besides the fact that many older people died there were many young people that died also.

According to publichealth.columbia.edu that over time as we grow older we feel aches and pains in joints we once used to spring up and out of bed in the morning. They further add that in our 30s and 40s, the brain starts to shrink, with it increasing by age 60.

2. Brain Atrophy

Did you know that brain Atrophy (cerebral atrophy) is a loss of neurons and connections between neurons? Yes this is according to my.clevelandclinic.org. They also state that symptoms of brain atrophy may include difficulty speaking, difficulty writing, inability to understand the meaning of words, hallucinations, loss of language, memory problems, mood and personality changes, poor judgment, and seizures.

3. Alzheimer” s Disease

I recall my mother-in-law had Alzheimer's. When It occurred I realized I knew very little about the disease. I recall often my daughter would say, “Mama you are not talking to her right.” “You may set her off.” I thought to myself, “I did not realize there were certain triggers and that I needed to be mindful of the way that I talk. I do recall showing her family pictures. She politely snatched one from my hand and said, “ I would not go that fast showing you pictures.” She then smacked me lightly on the forehead and said, “Start over.” That was a learning lesson for me. Nia.nih.gov/health states that neurons are constantly in touch with neighboring brain cells, a neuron receives signals from other neurons, it generates an electrical charge that travels down the length of its axon, the neurotransmitter chemicals like a key fit into a lock, which triggers chemical or electrical signals that stimulate or inhibit activity. They further add that it is estimated one neuron may have as many as 7,000 synaptic connections with other neurons. How amazing is that?

4. Regular Exercise

Did you know that regular exercise can help protect the brain from shrinkage as people grow older. I know it is so important to keep sharp. They further add that the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans recommends that most people get a minimum of 150 minutes of heart rate-raising activity per week, along with a couple of days of some type of strength training.

5. Best Foods

Who doesn’t want to improve their memory? Some of the best foods to boost your brain and memory include fatty fish, coffee, blueberries, turmeric, pumpkin seeds, dark chocolate, nuts, oranges, eggs and green tea according to healthline.com.

They further add that coffee can increase your alertness, improve mood, and sharpen concentration. I was surprised to hear this. I am not a coffee drinker, but when I occasionally drink it my children have been known to say, “Mama has been drinking coffee because she is very talkative.” So I gather coffee makes me a little chatter box as well.

6. Statistics

helio.com states that while there are many complex interactions that can occur across different food components and nutrients according to their research, people who ate a combination of healthier foods had larger brim tissue volumes per Mike W. Vernooij, MD(doctor of medicine), PH.D (Doctor of Philosophy), senior author of the study.

7. Other exercises

Have you tried exercise such as walking, gardening, swimming and even dancing? According to healthline.com, theses type of exercise can slow down brain shrinkage. They further add that their studies showed people who did a moderate or high level of exercise per week had brains that had the equivalent of 4 fewer years of brain aging. So I can see how keeping physically active can be vital to the brain. I like the part about dancing. I love to dance and have been dancing since I was a little girl. In fact, when I was growing up I was not even aware that there were families or people that did not dance. I just thought because my family danced every family danced, until I had a birthday party and discovered someone that could not dance. Although as an adult I realize now, but then I just did not understand that at that time. I kept thinking what is wrong with anyone that cannot dance.

8. Research Study

Your brain heath is very important. A research study of 3 groups inactive, somewhat active, and most active showed that brain scans to measure the brain volumes reveal those who engaged in the top third-highest level of physical activity had a brain volume the equivalent of four years younger in brain aging than people who were at the bottom third activity level according to psychologytoday.com. So this tells me it is so important to stay active throughout my life. In fact, I believe the body was made to move. So do you keep your body moving?

9. Reading the Bible

Reading the Bible can improve your brain health. Are you aware that reading the Bible is beneficial to your brain? Did you know that Dr. Michael Feguson performed a study and discovered that where researchers scanned and studied the brains of religious individuals while practicing spiritual activities such as prayer and reading scripture, areas such as the frontal attention lobe, the medial prefrontal cortex, and the nucleus accubens all experienced significant increase of activity and responsiveness during religious activities. It was also found that high amounts of dopamine (feeling of pleasure, satisfaction, happiness, and motivation) were released through the body while reading the Bible.

Photo Caption: Clipart Library, license personal use

Sources:

Changes That Occur to the Aging Brain: What Happens When We Get Older

Brain Atrophy

What Happens to the Brain in Alzheimer’s Disease?

How to Prevent Brain Shrinkage With Age

11 Best Foods to Boost Your Brain and Memory

Healthy diet may prevent brain shrinkage

Older Adults Can Reduce Brain Shrinkage by Gardening, Dancing, Walking

4 Daily Habits That Could Stop Your Brain From Shrinking

How Reading the Bible Affects the Brain

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