A study in the November 2009 issue of The British Journal of Psychiatry found that eating whole foods like fruits, vegetables and fish seemed to protect against depression, while eating more processed foods seemed to increase the incidence of depression. This study had 3400 people in it for 5 years. Healthy food for a healthy mind …. and body. What processed foods in your diet could you replace with a whole food?

Gobbling = Gain

Another study, in the October 29, 2009 online version of the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, was the first to measure how appetite and hormonal responses after meals affect weight gain. Basically, the study results show that eating quickly slows down the release of the hormones that make you feel full, so you eat more because you’re not satisfied. When it comes to eating Slowing = Loss.

photo by Gaetan Lee

As those who know me realize, I am a Costco addict – to the extent that I actually look through their magazine, The Costco Connection. Well, the April 2010 issue has an article on brain fitness, and it got me thinking… see, its working! I think, therefore my brain is fit!

Basically, the article says that there is much new research to show that we can keep generating new brain cells as we age, and that the structure and function of our brains can keep changing. But, for that to happen, guess what? We have to use our brains, we have to keep challenging them. A brain is just like muscle – use it or lose it. So, there are now gyms for the brain and personal trainers for the brain (personal brainers?). Of course, you can buy software and video games to stimulate your brain or you can go back to school or learn a new language.

The article recommends 5 healthy lifestyle factors for brain development:

1. Socialization
2. PHYSICAL ACTIVITY (my personal favorite)
3. Spirituality
4. Mental Stimulation
5. Nutrition

Stop thinking about it and get busy! Wait, don’t stop thinking. If you’re confused, puzzle it out. Then leave a comment and let me know what ways you keep exercising your brain.