What is Brain Health?
The brain is the most important organ of the human body. It works like the command center for the nervous system. Placed firmly in the cranium or skull, the brain includes the cerebrum, cerebellum, and brain stem. Each part of it has a specific function to perform. The cerebrum is associated with thought and action, cerebellum regulates body movements. The brain stem controls the flow of messages from the brain to the rest of the body. The human brain has two hemispheres, the left hemisphere controls muscles on the right side of the body, and the right controls muscles on the left side of the body.
The health and vigor of your brain are essential for a good memory. There's a lot you can do to improve your memory and mental performance, whether you're a student studying for final exams, a working professional seeking to do everything you can to keep mentally sharp, or a senior looking to protect and increase your grey matter as you age. When it comes to learning and memory, the brain's extraordinary ability to alter itself is genuine. At any age, you can use the natural potential of neuroplasticity to boost your cognitive powers, improve your ability to learn new things, and improve your memory. These nine-pointers will show you how to do it.
Facts About Human Brain
- It is made up of 75% of water. Keeping your body hydrated will help you in proper brain functions.
- The human brain grows its size up to 18 years of age
- Headaches are caused due to chemical reactions in the brain
- It consists of one hundred billion neurons
- High cholesterol can negatively affect the brain
Ways To Improve Brain’s Strength
Like other parts of the body, the brain’s health is assured by simple lifestyle choices. The right diet, active life (physical and mental), and social engagement are primary for a strong and healthy brain.
- Have The Right Diet :
- Have more saturated and trans fats as found in olive oil and fatty fish
- Take more of DHA, an omega-3 fatty acid, the building block of the brain. DHA is present in fatty fish and fortified foods like juice, milk, eggs, tortillas, yogurt, and supplements
- Have a diet rich in Vitamin E, found in milk, butter, eggs, nuts, whole grains, and dark leafy greens like spinach
- Have more of lutein, a natural antioxidant that supports brain health. Lutein is found in leafy green vegetables
- Have polyphenol-rich fruits and vegetables which help to decrease inflammation
- Have seven to eight hours of sleep
- Quit smoking and keep away from alcohol
- Maintain a healthy weight to minimize the risk of diabetes, high cholesterol, and hypertension
- Take part in brain-stimulating activities viz. reading, crosswords, and learning a new language
- Meditation helps to reduce stress as it smoothens the Vegus