Did you know that your brain is 90 percent fully developed by the age of 5 years old?
The 3 things that continually affect brain development:
- Connection – Feeling safe, loved, and communication
- Nutrition – What we eat affects brain development, real food reduces inflammation in the brain
- Stimulation – Children need to explore and learn new things; for the adult brain, learning one new thing a day prevents premature aging and dementia.
Connection
Why is connection so important? It changes the biochemistry of our brains which affects our bodies. Fear alters the brain and can create an ADHD baby or an emotionally underdeveloped brain. It can also create depression and aggression. Love, safety, and taking time to watch your child without a phone in your hand is essential for brain health. As well as leaving the phone behind at dinner, at bedtime, and while working out.
Looking down changes your brain, your posture, and your fascia. It prematurely ages the body. In my clinic I see children 8, 9, and 10 years old have the posture of a 45 or 50-year-old. This changes the spine, the speed of neurotransmitters, and makes you more prone to anxiety and physical pain.
Nutrition
What we eat changes the biochemistry of our brains. It can affect how we see the world, our personality, and our ability to recover from trauma or stress.
The 5 most Important Nutritional Elements for the Brain:
- Long chain omega 3 fatty acids – have neuroprotective properties and represent a potential treatment for neurodegenerative and neurological disorders.
- Magnesium – did you know there are 10 types of magnesium? Magnesium is essential to brain development and health. It acts as the gatekeep for NMCA receptors which are involved in healthy brain development, memory, and learning. It prevents nerve cells from being overstimulated, which can kill them and cause brain damage.
- Calcium – according to a study on the aging brain, calcium is a universal messenger of extracellular signals in a variety of cells. It also regulates several neuronal functions such as neurotransmitter syntheses and release. It is involved in long term process like memory.
- Fiber – we are eating less fiber than ever before. We need at least 25 to 30 grams of fiber per day. New research suggests that it can delay age-related brain inflammation. Inflammation which can start in the gut affects brain health.
- Vitamin B, D and E – slow brain atrophy and support cognitive functioning.
Stimulation
Why is it important to stimulate your brain by doing one new thing a day? Learn a new skill, do a puzzle, a new exercise, meet a new person.
Every time you do something new, new brain cells are created throughout our brain. Mental effort stimulates new growth. Active brain cells get access to better blood supply, more oxygen, and nutrients. New branches of brain cells develop, stimulating a hub of active and healthy interconnecting cells.
What this means is if parts of our brain during natural aging lose some of their functioning or access to that region, we have new pathways that can take over the same role.
To understand what your brain in lacking or what neurotransmitter its needs, take the FTI Brain Health Assessment.
Protect your most valuable asset. Your brain.