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The truth is that your brain is changing every day.
Some aspects of brain function improve as you age, so you become older and wiser.
But some aspects of brain function start to deteriorate as you grow older, especially if you haven't looked after your brain particularly well.
Do you want to know why this happens?One reason for brain deterioration is because the cells in your brain are under constant attack by molecules called free radicals which damage them.
Here is an experiment you can try that will show you one of the ways in which free radicals cause damage in the brain.
Take two pounds of animal fat and leave it on a counter for a few years.
If you can ensure that the room temperature is always at 98 degrees, so much the better.
What do you think would happen?It is not likely you would try this experiment because you can probably imagine the result.
The fat would quickly become rancid and spoil, creating a disgusting mess.
Now you might be wondering, what does this experiment have to do with our brains? Well, the truth is, our brains, those mysterious objects in our skulls that we use to think with, weigh about three pounds in total.
And about two pounds of our brains are actually made up of fat.
Fat that is exposed to lots of oxygen - not refrigerated but kept at a nice warm temperature of around 98 degrees Fahrenheit for years on end.
So, if we have two pounds of fat in our brains exposed to oxygen for many years, at a warm temperature, why don't our brains quickly become as mushy as a couple of pounds of animal fat left on the counter? Why don't our brains quickly become rancid? In a way, they do.
The fatty tissues of the brain do become damaged because of exposure to a similar process, but it happens at a much slower rate.
This process is called lipid peroxidation and it is caused by free radical activity.
Lipid peroxidation happens when the fatty tissues are damaged by free radical molecules that form when the brain cells produce energy.
Can the process of producing free radicals be stopped?No, it is an inevitable consequence of being alive.
Although free radical damage to brain cells cannot be stopped or prevented, our body can produce molecules that help to repair the damage.
And it is possible to slow down the rate at which the free radical damage occurs.
We may be able to prolong the time in which our brain functions optimally.
Foods and supplements containing high levels of antioxidants appear to help slow down this process.
Here are some ideas that can help you slow down the free radical damage that can affect your brain cells: - Avoid eating foods with saturated fats and hydrogenated fats - Eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, especially those that have bright colors such as berries.
- If you have diabetes, work with your doctor to keep your blood sugar levels in the proper range.
- Learn to deal effectively with stress.
Stress may increase the levels of harmful chemicals in the blood, which can lead to free radical damage in the brain.
- Some nutrition experts believe the brain may benefit from antioxidant supplements such as Vitamin C, E, and alpha-lipoic acid
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