There are various cognitive support nutrients and vitamins for brain health and memory, including B vitamins, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, magnesium, and omega-3 fatty acids.
Forty percent of seniors who are 65 or older have some amount of age-associated memory loss, as reported by Gary W Small in BMJ. Seniors who live in Hillsborough, NC, a historic town located along North Carolina’s Eno River, should take measures to improve their memory and brain health as much as possible. Taking the right vitamins is a great way for seniors to start when working to improve their brain health and reduce the risk of cognitive decline.
Which Vitamins Improve Brain Health?
Certain vitamins are known to contribute to brain health more than others. Here are some of the top memory vitamins for improving brain health in seniors.
B Vitamins
B vitamins are great mental clarity supplements and are right at the top among those that support senior brain health. Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12, riboflavin (B2), and folic acid (B9) can all be incredibly beneficial for reducing cognitive decline and may help reduce inflammation in the brain. B12 can help to maintain healthy nerve cells and maintain myelin, which can be helpful for cognitive health.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is a wonder vitamin and provides a range of different benefits to seniors. Among other advantages, it may help improve the function of the brain and memory. Vitamin D plays a role in both cognitive function and mood regulation, so it’s well worth it for a senior in assisted living to ensure they’re getting enough of it.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is worth getting enough of as well and can also provide significant benefits to the brain. Vitamin E is an antioxidant and is known to provide cells in the brain with protection from oxidative stress and inflammation. According to Liu et al. in Frontiers in Nutrition, a lack of vitamin E has been linked to an increased risk of dementia and cognitive decline, so ensuring the body is getting enough is important.
Magnesium
Magnesium can be a very beneficial mineral for the brain and can help to support memory, mood, and cognitive function. It can help to repair and maintain neural pathways. Getting enough magnesium is associated with cognitive health and may reduce the risk of dementia.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3 fatty acids are great senior brain boosters and are not to be underestimated. They can make a profound impact on brain health. They work to improve the function of brain cell membranes, and they could help reduce the chance of dementia and memory-related issues in aging seniors.
How to Improve Brain Health In Seniors?
Eating a nutritious diet, eating brain-boosting foods, and ensuring adequate intake of various brain-boosting vitamins can offer a great start toward improving brain health in seniors. Other ways to improve cognitive health in seniors include:
- Getting enough quality sleep each night
- Exercising regularly
- Playing brain games and puzzles such as crosswords and Sudoku
- Learning new things and participating in hobbies
- Learning to play an instrument or listening to music regularly
- Building social connections and staying connected to others
Frequently Asked Questions
What Vitamin Lowers Dementia Risk by 49%?
According to the Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation, one study has linked riboflavin (Vitamin B2) with a 49 percent lower risk of dementia. In the study, adults with the highest intake of Vitamin B2 showed this decreased risk compared to those with a lower intake. Other B vitamins have been associated with lower dementia risk as well.
Riboflavin can be found in many different types of foods, including:
- Eggs and dairy
- Meat and fish
- Sunflower seeds
- Almonds
- Vegetables, including spinach and mushrooms
What Common Habit Is Linked to Dementia?
Rather than just one particular habit, there are plenty of different habits that have been linked to an increased risk of dementia, according to the CDC. If many of these lifestyle habits apply, a person may find that they’re at increased risk of the disease.
Some of the habits that have been linked to dementia include:
- Being sedentary and spending long periods of time sitting each day
- Failing to get enough regular exercise
- Failing to take care of oral health
- Keeping a poor diet and eating lots of processed foods and saturated fats
- Failing to get at least seven to eight hours of sleep each night
- Poor habits such as smoking and excessive drinking
- Being socially isolated, experiencing loneliness, and lacking connections with others
- Failing to manage various health issues, such as diabetes and hearing loss
What Causes 70% of Dementia?
The majority of dementia cases are a result of Alzheimer’s disease, with estimates ranging from 60% to 80%, according to the Alzheimer’s & Dementia journal. Although the cause of Alzheimer’s is not completely understood at this point, it’s clear that age is the greatest risk factor, with most cases relating to people who are over the age of 65.
Alzheimer’s may be caused by a combination of various factors, including a person’s genes, lifestyle, and the environment they live in. Other causes of dementia include:
- Vascular dementia
- Dementia with Lewy bodies
- Frontotemporal dementia
Aside from Alzheimer’s disease, other causes of dementia can include Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, or a brain injury.
Experiencing the Benefits of These Vitamins for Brain Health
Various vitamins can provide positive benefits for brain health and memory. This includes B vitamins, vitamin D, vitamin E, magnesium, and omega-3s. Getting more of these vitamins for brain health into the diet may go a long way toward helping a senior reduce age-related memory loss and stay mentally sharp as they get older.
Seniors who need assisted living in North Carolina should consider making the move to TerraBella Hillsborough. With excellent senior apartments and floor plans and exceptional amenities including restaurant-style dining with tableside service, a private courtyard and community garden, scenic walking paths, in-house religious services, and a full activities calendar, seniors find a lot to love at TerraBella Hillsborough.
Ready to make the move to a quality senior living community? Get in touch with us today to find out more about what our community offers NC seniors.
