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GPS of the Brain Does a Lot More Than Navigation

  • April 17, 2017

An exciting article in Ervse.com reports that the brain’s navigation system plays a more diverse role in learning and memory than previously assumed. The study, so far done only on mice, shows new insight on how the brain maps your environment when discovering new places and making memories.

The study of the brain, human or animal, is fascinating. It seems like daily we’re learning new things not only about how your brain works, but what you can do to keep it healthy long into your senior years. For example, we know that a diet that increases inflammation, such as one that includes high amounts of wheat, refined carbs and sugar is one of the root causes and greatest risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease.

So, to prevent dementia and Alzheimer’s, you need to focus on a diet that powers your brain and body with healthy fats, not net carbs. Alzheimer’s prevention and treatment is best approached from a holistic perspective. Besides a ketogenic diet that includes healthy fats such as coconut oil, lifestyle factors that come into play include exercise, sleep, stress reduction, sun exposure and social interaction.

It’s also important to improve your magnesium levels. Exciting preliminary research strongly suggests a decrease in Alzheimer's symptoms occurs with increased levels of magnesium in the brain. One of the best ways to optimize your magnesium level is by consuming plenty of organic green leafy vegetables, nuts and seeds. Foods with exceptionally high magnesium content include seaweed, coriander, pumpkin seeds, unsweetened cocoa powder, and almond butter.