As our elderly population becomes older and needs more of our help, it is increasingly our responsibility to help increase not only the lifespan, but also the healthspan. What this means is to make sure elderly people are not only alive for longer, but also thriving long into their later years. To do this, there are a number of nutrients, vitamins and minerals that promote a healthy aging brain.
Many of these foods can help to not only prevent some of the signs of aging, but also the degeneration that leads to chronic diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease among many others. Here are a few of the foods we like the best for promoting a healthy aging brain.
#1. Eggs – if you have sworn off of eggs to avoid cholesterol, it might be time to re-think that decision. Most people do not realize that eggs are a vital source of a nutrient called choline, which is the precursor chemical for something called acetylcholine. The acetylcholine neurotransmitter is vital for memory formation, learning, but also preventing decline.
For some people who cannot eat too many eggs or maybe have issues with cholesterol, a good alternative is a nootropic called alpha GPC. This is an alternative that is packed with choline, but it doesn’t have some of the negative side effects. This will very quickly become a great go-to if eggs aren’t a possibility for you.
#2. Sardines – most elderly people at this stage have had experience with sardines. These delicious fishies are healthier than tuna because they are packed with nutrients and have a lot of omega-3 fatty acids. The omega-3s are imperative for healthy brain function, which is why so many people take fish oil supplements. If you don’t like the taste of sardines, you can also find some fish oil that tastes like lemon.
There are plenty of alternatives if you are trying to determine the best way to get fish oil into your diet. The omega-3 fatty acids, the DHA and the EPA are all powerful tools that you can use in order to get the best experience long into old age.
These foods may not always taste good, but they can if you spend some time with them. Sardines are a great food that you can eat fresh to avoid all the poor tasting experiences that you have with the canned foods.