Experts estimate that it is within our control to maintain at least two-thirds of our brain health. For anyone concerned about failing memory and who is willing to work at preserving it, this fact offers a great deal of relief. There’s no getting around it. What you eat goes to your head, so logically you want to make food choices that keep brain activity humming. Medical experts have also identified a few key supplements that help your body to keep the brain as healthy and young as possible. And finally, don’t beg off from exercise, as it plays a significant part in preserving memory.

Bona Fide Brain Food

• Foods of color — The brain requires plenty of antioxidants to combat all the free radicals that seek to destroy neurons. Eat dark green vegetables like spinach and broccoli, red foods such as tomatoes and peppers, deep yellow gourds like squash, and fruits such as blueberries and raspberries. The pigment of the food determines its antioxidant potential, so choose the most colorful fruits and vegetables you can find.

• Fish — About 60% of the brain is actually fat, so consuming healthy fats is vital for mental health. That doesn’t mean slathering butter and sour cream on a baked potato, though. The fat must come from a source like salmon or other coldwater fish that provides hefty amounts of Omega-3 fatty acids, as they do an outstanding job of keeping the brain in top working order. Salmon also provides DMAE, which is important for the production of neurotransmitters that help nerve and muscle cells communicate. Don’t think salmon could be that incredible? Try it and you’ll be a convert!

• Protein — The amino acids in protein provide the material from which 80% of the brain’s neurotransmitters are made. Eating adequate amounts of protein from fish, poultry, soy and whey can keep you clear-headed and less moody.

Seven Supplements for Super Thinking Abilities

• Ginkgo biloba — Highly effective at promoting cerebral circulation, which in turn supports memory.

• Huperzine A — Helps block an enzyme that destroys acetylcholine, which is a neurotransmitter that plays a key role in the formation of short-term memory. Huperzine A is derived from a club moss that has been used for centuries in Chinese medicine.

• Phosphatidylserine — Plays a major role in maintaining the integrity and fluidity of cell membranes, which keeps the brain working at maximum speed.

• Omega-3 Essential Fatty Acids — The lining of the brain and the outer membranes of neurons are comprised of Omega-3 fatty acids. Nourishing your brain with Omega-3 EFAs from food or supplements helps maintain their structure and integrity.

• Vitamin B Complex — Researchers find that keeping homocysteine levels in the healthy range not only benefits cardiovascular health, but it largely influences brain health, too. There is no better combination than B-6, B-12, and Folic Acid for accomplishing this goal. 

• Vitamin E — Since the majority of the brain is comprised of fat, this fat-soluble antioxidant works wonders to protect it.

• NADH — As a coenzyme, NADH plays a key role in the energy production of our cells and neurotransmitter processes.

Exercise Keeps the Brain Fit, Too.

Exercise is imperative for brain health, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. A daily 30-minute walk can help keep the brain working at full capacity, even promoting the growth of new nerve cells and boosting learning and memory. Why not outfit yourself with a Walkman and listen to books on CDs or tapes as you briskly hike around your neighborhood?