Healthy brain, healthy mind

Listening to morning radio today, I was lucky enough to catch an eminent doctor from the UK talking about dementia. Dementia is recognised as a huge worldwide problem, costing billions of dollars in long-term care for dementia patients every year. The message of this doctor was about early detection. His research shows that the earlier a diagnosis is made and a care plan activated, the less severe the consequences of dementia will be.

Of course, we can step back one more time and look at how we can age - as we will - without mental deterioration. Can we look forward, in fact, to wisdom years?

Nutrition is all important - good quality antioxidants and B vitamins, including folic acid, are crucial to the metabolic processes that maintain healthy brain function and therefore healthy brain tissue. I always advise you to eat organic wherever possible to increase the nutrition available from the food you eat.

Our relaxation processes are also fundamental. Consistently sound sleep - for 7 hours or more a night - increases mental alertness and mental function. A regular relaxation practice -  like massage, meditation, yoga or prayer - also has a profound effect the health of our mind. Our mood, firstly, benefits from relaxation; then our brain benefits from the reduction in stress related biochemicals. I always recommend a proactive approach. Maintain your mental health into the wisdom years by establishing good habits now. Relax - deeply and regularly. Eat well and eat organic food - just not too much!