Everyone has gone through difficult situations. People have experienced pain and misery. How then can we move on to experience the glory of our elderly years and enjoy what life still has to offer if we dwell on the things that may have scarred us. If there is one thing certain in this word, that is death. Before our lives come to a full circle, we must learn to take advantage of every opportunity and live it to the fullest. We all have a purpose and if we don’t do what we are meant to do, we will grow old to be the miserable old person that has been personified in many movies.

How do you feel at this moment? Does your body feel younger than its actual years? If you have an issue with your actual age, change your thoughts. By having an attitude adjustment, your life will change dramatically. Everything about you will become better: your health, your personality, and even the lines on your skin. You should know that the whole world surrounds you with joy and that the good things in life are served to you on a silver platter. (more…)

Lifestyle factors are important. For example, studies have shown reduced cognitive decline amongst older people who walk regularly. By exercising for a fit body, you also benefit from improved blood flow and oxygen supply to the brain, which improves mental acuity, balance and motor skills as well. Exercise also causes the release of “feel good hormones” or endorphins.  Some depressed people benefit so much from exercise that they are able to forgo their antidepressants, which are sometimes the cause of memory problems. Another benefit of exercise was seen in a study where it  was found that the brain produced significantly more of an important brain cell protein growth factor after exercise, increasing mental acuity and memory.

People who eat a lot of leafy green vegetables and eat fish at least once a week have also been found to show reduced cognitive decline with aging. Another important finding is that sugar can be a cause of memory decline. Studies have shown reduced blood supply to the dentate gyrus in the hippocampus, an area involved in memory formation, after a high sugar meal resulting in a blood sugar spike. This is a finding that has been seen in diabetics. It is therefore very important to watch your diet and to control diabetes. (more…)

Old age may begin much earlier than thought if you believe age is defined by mental functions. According to new research conducted at the University of Virginia and published in the Neurobiology of Aging many cognitive functions demonstrate peak performance at age 22. By age 27 some cognitive functioning begins to decline while others such as memory decline around 37.

This study was conducted using standardized cognitive tests on 2,000 men and women aged 18-60 years of age and covered nearly seven years. Participants were in good health and well educated. (more…)