Leafy green vegetables may help prevent memory issues

Getting older is natural, and the effects of aging are inevitable, but it’s not the simple passing of time which concerns people, rather it’s the idea of memory loss, loss of cognitive abilities, and a general decrease in the ability to do the things we enjoy and maintain independence. This is a common fear people have in their mind as they get older. As we age, it’s common to find ourselves living alone or living mostly in isolation.  This lack of socializing increases our memory issues and results in cognitive decline which further gives an invitation to Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. When you or your loved one is facing cognitive impairment or is affected by dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, it’s natural to begin to consider high quality memory care centers.  

Strategic Dieting For Memory Health

Memory care is necessary if you are suffering from cognitive decline, but there are things you can do to prevent the presence of mild cognitive impairment or other memory care issues. Strategic dieting with a focus on certain foods has been shown to help protect the brain from the effects of again. Just like eating healthy food benefits our bodies as we age, in the same way eating certain foods rich in vitamins, proteins, and minerals help you keep your brain young and reduce the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. There is no magical elixir for avoiding Alzheimer’s disease or dementia completely, but there are certain nutrients that help improve cognitive function.

You can receive all these nutrients from green leafy vegetables like spinach, kale, turnip greens, asparagus, swiss chard, mustard greens, broccoli, cabbage, red and green leaf lettuce, bok choy, and other related vegetables. The leafy greens are the part of the cruciferous family and are the best source of multivitamins. These foods slow down the aging of the brain and reduce the risk of cognitive decline.

Green leafy vegetables are known as super foods because they have many health benefits and can also prevent cancer, and reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s and dementia. There are a number of studies that concluded that eating green leafy vegetables can protect your brain from aging by slowing down cognitive decline. Declining cognitive ability is the main cause of Alzheimer’s and dementia, and a diet full of green leafy vegetables is a natural and easy preventative habit that we can develop early in life.

Lutein Can Stop Neurodegeneration

Actually, the lutein, a pigment found in dark green leafy veggies helps to keep the brain sharp as you age, and it can potentially stop the neurodegeneration and also improves memory and cognitive function. Lutein is naturally occurring carotenoids which are found in abundance in green leafy vegetables like spinach, kale, collards, mustard greens and dandelion greens.

Once you start having the lutein-rich food, it will prevent the age-related cognitive decline. It will protect your brain because this neuroprotective nutrient will be stored in your brain for a lifetime, and it may protect your brain in the long term. The lutein supports the structure and the function in the neural membranes, and that ultimately supports the cognitive functions which totally rely on these neural membranes. In addition to the green leafy vegetables, the cruciferous vegetables like cauliflower, broccoli, and brussels sprouts are also rich in lutein, helping in preventing the brain from aging.

Never Too Early To Diet For Cognitive Health

So, start including the leafy greens in your regular diet if you want to prevent your brain from aging as you get older, and even if you are facing the effects of cognitive decline, incorporating these beneficial vegetables into your diet can still have positive effects. Even after maintaining a healthy diet, there are times when cognitive impairment, Alzheimer’s disease, or dementia, can’t be avoided. Melrose Gardens is an assisted living facility in Los Angeles, and our Cottages program combines assisted living and memory care, to provide a high quality senior living solution at a beautiful location. Our memory care program includes brain workout activities, weekly yoga classes, everyday memory enhancement group programs, and daily physical and mental exercises.