The 5 Pillars of Brain Health

Have you ever wondered how you can promote brain health? Probably not. While we all regularly look at the health of our heart, muscles and immune system, the brain is often left out. But why is that? After all, the brain plays a fundamental role in overall health, and taking care of it promotes quality of life as we age.

But is there anything you can do to maintain a healthy brain?

We have good news for you: Yes, you can!  In fact, it largely depends on you, so it's necessary that you make a conscious effort to do so. 

 Learn 5 ultimate tips to boost your brain health in this article!

Why is brain health so important?

Our brain contains about 90 billion nerve cells and is the thinking and feeling centre of our body. It is by far one of the most complex organs of the human body and controls almost all vital bodily functions. It processes sensory impressions, enables thinking and many other processes in the body. The decline of brain functions, especially memory and concentration, is directly related to the ageing process. 

Age is the biggest risk factor for developing Alzheimer's disease or related dementia. Although we cannot completely prevent dementia, we can make lifestyle changes to reduce our risk of developing the disease.

How can you support the health of your brain?

1. Do some exercise every day

Physical activity is crucial for brain health. You should try to get some form of exercise every day. Experts recommend a minimum of 150 minutes of exercise per week. But that's not all! Make sure you have an active lifestyle. Make sure you don't sit for too many hours a day. Not only can you exercise for an hour a day to promote brain health, but you can actually slow down brain ageing by combining it with more exercise throughout the day.

2. Be social

Social life is extremely important - if you are lonely or socially isolated, it is actively damaging your health. The reason for this is that over the course of evolution we have become social creatures, the need for food, water and human closeness is deeply embedded in our brains. Feeling lonely can even lead to inflammation in the brain, according to studies, which accelerates the ageing process and increases the risk of dementia and other degenerative brain diseases. A study of 12,000 people conducted by Harvard University found that one in five who reported feeling lonely on a regular basis had a 20 per cent greater decline in brain health than those who did not.

3. Eat a balanced diet

The modern western diet is anything but good for our bodies. Food, convenience food, takeaway food and everything that comes out of the packet has a negative impact on our weight and health. Ready meals promote inflammation in the body and rarely contain beneficial nutrients that support the body. 

These are the vitamins and minerals you should look for to support your brain:

• Omega 3 fatty acids: The brain is an organ with a high demand for unsaturated fatty acids, such as omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids are building blocks of the brain. They are involved in the construction of nerve cells, their wiring and cell membranes. The construction and expansion of neuronal networks lasts a lifetime. Omega-3 fatty acids (DHA) help maintain normal brain function. 
•  B vitamins: The B vitamins  include, for example, vitamins B6 and B12, biotin and niacin. They all contribute to a normal function of the nervous system. Vitamin B5 enables, among other things, the production of a very important messenger substance in the brain. B vitamins are an important building block for the brain and nerves. People who do not get enough B12 show earlier cognitive decline than those who have enough.
• Vitamins C and E: Vitamins C and E help the body protect itself from oxidative stress and support normal immune system function. Good sources of vitamin E are vegetable oils such as olive oil. Discover our effective vitamin C formula that provides you with the perfect daily dose of vitamin C.
• Magnesium: Magnesium is one of the most important minerals and also contributes to normal nervous system function. The brain needs sufficient magnesium to function. If we are well supplied with magnesium, this has a positive effect on our concentration, memory and learning ability.
• Vitamin D: Vitamin D is involved in a variety of functions relevant to brain neurons, including signalling substances and the brain's reward system, which affects our mood. Vitamin D also protects the brain from toxins, atherosclerosis and inflammation. Our new vitamin D formula is combined with vitamin K and is particularly bioavailable. 
• Zinc: Zinc is found as a nutrient in the brain. There, however, the zinc stock is never completely used up - as elsewhere in the body. Through special adaptation processes, the brain always holds on to remnants of it. An unmistakable sign that zinc is indispensable here. Without zinc, brain metabolism cannot function. Whether it's our ability to think, our ability to react to external stimuli, our drive or the processing of stress: everything depends on zinc.

4. Take care of your dental health

A 2021 study by the University of Birmingham found that people with gum disease have an increased risk of developing mental illness and vascular dementia. The mouth is a major source of inflammation. 70 per cent of our immune system is in our digestive system, which starts in the mouth. In addition to proper nutrition, good dental hygiene is also crucial. We recommend a consistent daily routine at home and regular visits to the dentist.

5. Challenge your brain regularly

Like muscles, if you don't use your brain, it can cause some damage. To keep it healthy, you need to develop habits that influence it positively.

Specialists recommend activating it and stimulating it with things that help it function. Beneficial activities include reading, writing and some games like chess. It is likewise beneficial to carry out tasks that involve calculations, memory and skills to acquire prevention ability.

It also helps to engage in anything that involves learning new things, such as another language or a musical instrument.

Take care of your brain health in time

Don't neglect the health of your brain! You can support your brain through healthy habits and an active lifestyle. Exercise regularly, be social and above all, eat a balanced and healthy diet. Are you too stressed in your everyday life for a healthy lifestyle and diet? Make yourself a priority! Make sure you take your vitamins and minerals regularly and be more active in your daily life through healthy habits.