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Top 10 Ways You Are Killing Your Brain (#5 – Who Knew?!)
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3. Lack Of Stimulation
Your brain is like most other parts of your body: If you don’t use it, you lose it! Your brain needs exercise just as much as any other part of your body. Watch some of the people you consider to be super smart — chances are high that they are always reading, doing crossword puzzles, or playing other little mind games like Sudoku. Creative thinking and a younger brain go hand in hand, so learn to play a musical instrument, listen to a wide variety of music, try your hand at painting or visit museums to learn about different styles or art periods. Learn to play chess, or play Scrabble with your friends instead of breaking out the Xbox.
4. Excessive Alcohol Consumption
When you consume alcohol in high amounts you generally cut back on eating. Alcohol numbs the stomach and is actually high in calories. The problem is that it is also very low in nutrients and tends to use up the body’s reserve of vitamins, minerals, and other micronutrients. Many alcoholics have extremely low magnesium and vitamin B1 (thiamine). A deficiency of magnesium causes depression, confusion, irritability, disorientation, and feelings of persecution. A lack of vitamin B1 causes confusion, memory loss, mood swings, and lack of coordination. (Sound like some of the heavy drinkers you know?) Moderate alcohol consumption is good for the body and mind, but excessive alcohol consumption should be avoided like the plague.
5. Skipping Breakfast
You probably never imagined that not eating breakfast was hurting your grey matter, but it does! You might hate to admit it, but Mom was right. When you don’t eat breakfast, you are lowering your blood sugar levels to the point that there is a very small supply of nutrients to your vital organs, including your brain. Don’t skip breakfast! If you have no appetite in the mornings, try to at least drink a smoothie so your body can get the energy it needs, and your brain can feel more alert.
6. Poor Diet
Junk foods, processed foods, fast food, and those sugary treats all have one thing in common: They all have something called advanced glycation endproduces (AGEs). These compounds act like little terrorists, tying up your DNA so that it is virtually disabled. Once enough of your DNA is tied up, you can actually experience organ failure. Foods that are highly processed such as hot dogs or that are high in sugar, such as donuts, have the highest levels of AGEs. AGEs are nothing to fool around with, as they have been linked in numerous studies to just about every degenerative disease known to man. These include diabetes, arthritis, heart disease, hypertension, cancer, and dementia. Eat a healthy plant-based organic diet and avoid the junk food.
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