A recent study revealed people with diabetes who have had high blood sugar levels score worse on brain power tests later in life than those who kept their blood sugars controlled. People with uncontrolled diabetes may also experience increased fatigue and a lack of focus often referred to as brain fog. Discover 4 ways to boost your brain power.
- According to a recent study in the Annals of Medicine, people with diabetes who control their blood sugar levels early in life can protect their future brain health. Boosted mental power from improved diabetes control can help you stay focused, think with greater clarity and even help prevent dementia; people with diabetes have an increased risk of developing dementia when blood sugars are high for a length of time. Exercising your brain can help you avoid a dramatic cognitive decline in the years ahead.
- Most people only use 10 percent of their brain. For many years, scientists believed we could not increase our brain power. Recent research, referred to as neuroplasticity, has shown our brains can change with a bit of training. Start by trying something new as often as possible. Doing new things can help change the structure of your brain and boost your intelligence. Get rid of the GPS and try taking a different route to work. Take a college course without credits. Learn a musical instrument. Sign up for a community play and take a part that requires memorizing lines. Be curious and question the events around you to learn more about a variety of topics. Read new books to exercise your brain and learn new ideas. Discover the power of positive thinking. Stress can kill brain neurons and prevent new ones from being created. Speed up the creation of brain cells by eliminating negative thoughts and replacing them with positive ones. People with diabetes are more prone to developing hypertension. Positive thoughts can reduce your blood pressure and help prevent heart disease. Use an Omron blood pressure monitor to gauge your progress as you focus on the positive and learn to eliminate the negative.
- People with diabetes are advised to eat healthy foods and exercise for at least a half hour each day. Exercising can increase your brain function and give you more mental power. Daily exercise can create new brain cells. Regular exercise can improve your cardiovascular health and help you avoid obesity. The right foods will make a difference by including essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. Omega 3 fatty acids can boost brain power. Stay away from processed foods with added fats, salt and sugar that can drag you down. Choose whole foods, such as fresh fruit and vegetables and whole grains. Talk to your health care provider about a proper food plan and what types of exercise would be beneficial for you.
- Now that you know how to train your body, remember to train your brain. Try to memorize important numbers including phone and bank account numbers. Get rid of your calculator and do basic math problems in your head. You can also play games to boost your brain power and improve your memory. Solve Sudoku puzzles or visit a website such as Lumosity to help improve your cognitive brain function. The AARP website also offers free games that can help boost your brain power.
- Adopting healthy lifestyle habits can improve the way your brain works and help you maintain healthy blood sugar levels. Get at least 7 to 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep each night. Quit smoking. Stay socially connected by interacting with family and friends or volunteering. People who are social are nearly 25 percent more apt to maintain cognitive function as they get older.
These easy ways to boost your mental power can keep you alert and mentally proficient for years to come. Reduce the risk of physical, mental and emotional complications by adopting healthy lifestyle habits.
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