Brain Health

Keeping Your Brain Healthy

Not exercising, diabetes, high blood pressure, and other chronic diseases will not only take a toll on your body but also on your brain.  Bad habits can affect the blood vessels in our bodies.  Research has shown that the condition of your blood vessels may determine a lot about the health of your brain.  Over time, these factors may lead to brain deterioration and increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia.

Specifically, researchers have examined connections between vascular risk factors and the structure of the brain responsible for complex thinking.  These risk factors include: smoking, hypertension, pulse pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, body mass index (BMI), and waist-hip ratio.  These specific areas of the brain used for complex thinking are known to deteriorate as dementia develops.

Not exercising, high blood pressure, and diabetes were the three vascular risk factors with the most consistent connections to brain atrophy and loss of both grey and white brain matter.  All risk factors can be associated with some degree of brain health decline.

You can help this all by simply working out with Grow Young Fitness on a regular basis!

Studies have found that damage to the brain is specific to certain areas. These areas affected were mainly those known to be linked to our more complex thinking skills and to those areas that show changes in dementia and typical Alzheimer’s disease. 

Higher vascular risk is linked to worse brain structure, even in adults who were otherwise healthy.   These links were just as strong for people in middle age as they were for those in later life.  With each addition of a risk factor, the increase in health concerns for the brain.  No matter what age, our behaviors impact the health of our bodies and our brains.  

All ages need to be aware of the importance of creating those healthy routines.  Smoking, physical inactivity, overeating, or unhealthy eating are dangerous habits. Even in younger adults, unhealthy habits can take a toll on the structural integrity of the brain and its connections.

Healthy changes protect the heart and the brain!

It’s never too late to improve your brain health.  

Grow Young Fitness can help improve your physical health, your brain health, and your cognitive abilities.

Here are some tips:

*Make sure to do at least 150 minutes or more of aerobic exercise each week. (Do a Grow Young Fitness workout at least 5 times a week.)

*Mixing in aerobic exercise with strength training at least two times per week has been shown to improve heart health.  These activities will also improve brain health. The Founders’ Club workouts are perfect to follow for this. (Sign up for the Founders’ Club here: https://growyoungfitness.com/deal )

*Find that good nutrition.  Enjoy those foods that are good for the brain like blueberries, nuts, and fatty fish like salmon.  Cut back on frozen meals, take out, deli meat, cheese, and other items that are high in sodium.  

*Fill half your plate with vegetables!.  Increase fiber and decrease carbohydrates to help you maintain a healthy weight and keep your blood sugar stable. (Follow the recipes on https://growyoungfitness.com/recipes )

*Anxiety and stress take a toll on your mental health, but they can also impact your physical and mental health, too.  Find ways to reduce those stresses in your day. (Exercise helps this!)

*Poor or inadequate sleep is associated with worsening health and vascular risk factors.  Find a daily routine that works for you and make sure sleep is a part of it. (Try Infused Zen at night: https://growyoungshop.com/products/infused-zen )

*Check your blood pressure regularly, or at least every six months. Watch for signs of an increase and changes.

Research connecting poor physical health with deteriorating brain health is increasing. These risk factors can damage your brain’s health, slow thinking skills and even lead to changes in the brain that resemble Alzheimer’s disease and dementia

Many of these vascular risk factors, however, are preventable.  A healthy lifestyle can help you prevent risk factors like high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity. If you already have one or more of these risk factors, you CAN make lifestyle changes that can reverse the conditions and help improve your brain health.

This is called Grow Young Fitness, and the Founders’ Program will not only help you reverse these conditions, but you will be able to improve on every aspect of your life.