Friday, December 2, 2011

Got brain fog?

Some mornings I can see a layer of fog on the Bloomingdale Bog - quite a sight.  It looks like a thick cloud undulating over the low-lying wetland.  If I were down there in it, I would not be able to see very far, my sense of direction would be skewed and confusion would reign.  


Do you ever feel that way?  Lost in a bog fog?  I do not like the A word, but I have to admit that aging seems to be a factor in brain fog.  But like anything else in the A word category, I believe there are some things we can do to strengthen and support our minds.


Here are some ideas:
In the realm of nutritional supplements:  
- Ginkgo Biloba, to be effective, you must take enough - 60 mg. per 60 pounds of body weight
- CoQ10, a potent antioxidant
- Alpha Lipoic Acid improves memory and slows brain aging
- Vitamin E and Selenium 


In the sphere of keeping the mental rust at bay: 
- Brain calisthenics - learn new things ... languages, musical instruments, sports, creative arts; do crossword puzzles, watch Jeopardy ... determine to engage in new learning for the rest of your life.  Listen to classical music, exercise in a class, exercise in fresh air, breathe deeply and get the blood moving to your head!
- Eat enough fat - it feeds your brain - especially Omega 3 fat (Cod Liver Oil!) and grass-fed animal fats - butter, cheese, milk, eggs, and meats.
- Avoid artificial sweeteners, especially aspartame
- Eat lots of fresh, local dark green leafy vegies and for heaven's sake, forsake the sugar! (definitely more on that another time.)


Just as a stiff breeze and warm air banishes the bog fog, good nutrition, exercise and learning something new every day will go a long way in expelling the fog in your cloudy brain.



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