You Can Increase Brain Memory Through Exercise and Proper Nutrition

We lead such hectic lives today compared to our forebearers that it is no wonder we have difficulty remembering and concentrating on everything we should.  We are often so busy that we skip the things that we should be doing to maintain optimal health and brain function – exercise and nutrition. 

Exercise not only tones our muscles but the right exercises can increase blood circulation in our brains which is an easy way to “boost my brain”, as so many ask for.  Nutrition from a proper diet also provides support and vital nutrients so that our brains and minds function at their best.

The best exercises that improve memory and concentration are aerobic exercises or cardiovascular exercises, as they are more often called today.  These are any exercises that increase our heart rate and respirations while doing them. 

Increased heart rate improves the blood circulation, including in the brain which has the most blood vessels of any organ in the body. 

Along with the increased blood flow, oxygen from the increased respirations is carried to all parts of the body, including the brain.  For optimal memory and concentration abilities all the time, you should get in at least 30 minutes of aerobic and cardio exercise every day.

Proper nutrition included what some have called “brain memory foods” - things like fish, broccoli, spinach and flaxseed, among others.   These foods and others provide two very important nutrients for proper brain function: Omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin B6.  Both of these vital nutrients support and enhance memory and concentration when included regularly in a proper, balanced diet.

Omega-3 fatty acids are a relatively new discovery.  These are a combination of several nutrients but essentially is a fat.  For so long, people have tried to avoid all forms of fat as it was previously thought that all fats were unhealthy beyond a very small amount.  Science now realizes that Omega-3 fatty acids are necessary and healthy in many ways including the formation of new brain cells.

Some fatty acids are made by the body while others must be gained from our diet.  When you eat foods with Omega-3 fatty acids, it actually helps your body produce more of the fatty acids that it needs.  They also help balance the other fats that you consume that are bad for you, like the ones found in baked goods and butter. 

Omega-3 fatty acids are found in some nuts, broccoli, kidney beans, spinach and cantaloupe but the two best sources for these vital nutrients are cold water fish and flaxseed.  Fish such as tuna, salmon and mackerel are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids which is where their reputation as a brain food has come from.  Flaxseed has almost as much of these nutrients as the fish with the added benefit of being high in fiber.

Vitamin B6 has long been established as necessary to help the brain form neurotransmitters.  As we age, the neurotransmitters in the brain die at a faster rate than they are created.  Eating foods rich in vitamin B6 can help keep the rate balanced for longer, thus improving memory and concentration throughout our lives.  This important vitamin is found in meat, vegetables, grains and nuts.

Aerobic exercise and brain memory foods such as fish and flaxseed are the best things you can do to increase brain memory and strengthen your powers of concentration.  Including exercise into your daily routine and eating foods rich in Omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin B6 will help improve your memory and protect brain function during the aging process.

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