We’ve Got Jane Brody on the Brain
Forget your keys? Struggling to recall a name? Having memory lapses? As we age, these are typical experiences, but they don’t necessarily mean you have dementia.
According to Jane Brody, long-time Personal Health Columnist for The New York Times, they are just symptomatic of a changing brain, which naturally occurs with age. She thinks, therefore, that it’s a good idea to do what you can to maintain your brain’s health. “When it comes to brain health, use your head!”
Ms. Brody, whose sage, down-to-earth reporting is enjoyed by millions of people, will be the featured speaker at “Luncheon and Presentation by Jane Brody” on Thursday, November 7, 11:30 a.m., at Greenwich Country Club, to benefit the Friends of Nathaniel Witherell. The topic of her talk is “Cultivating a Young Brain: How to Keep Your Brain Healthy as You Age”.
As every brain changes with age, and mental function changes along with it, mental decline is common, But cognitive impairment is not inevitable, according to Ms. Brody. What works to support brain health as you age?
“What’s good for the heart is also good for the brain,” Brody says. “Eat less fat and cholesterol-laden foods, and more fish and anti-oxidant rich vegetables.” A Mediterranean-style diet replete with fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts, fish, low-fat dairy, and olive oil, will benefit you the most. Studies indicate that those who adopted such a diet and limited their salt intake had a 35 percent lower risk for cognitive decline as they aged, and strict adherence to the diet cut the risk by more than 50 percent. These are impressive numbers.
What else does she advise?
- Which types of foods that can actually cause harm;
- How many hours of sleep you should get at night that will do your brain good;
- Why a sedentary life style can impair your cognitive abilities;
- How social connections stimulate your brain cells;
“To prevent the loss of brain cells, treat your body like a temple, not a junkyard.” Sound advice from Jane Brody. For further information about the luncheon, please contact Scott Neff at sneff@friendsofwitherell.org or call (203) 618-4227.
