YOUR HEALTH

Brain ageing

Like the rest of your body, age will affect the brain too. Though the decline in cognitive abilities sets in around the age of 40, there are ways to keep the brain as agile and alert as it was in your early years. Only, the stress levels now make that a rather difficult task. To understand brain ageing, one must first look at how the brain functions.

The brain is composed of numerous nerve cells or neurons and supporting cells called Glia. The neurons transmit electrical and chemical signals, which are the basis of cognition. Glia facilitates the transmission of signals and also protects and nourishes the neurons. Brain functions also depend on a complex interaction between the cortex outer covering and the several lobes. 8220;The brain fluid is the transmitter of information and if there is change in the fluid, the brain starts ageing,8221; says Dr Jitendra Nagpal, senior psychiatrist at VIMHANS.

According to experts, the brain develops till the age of five. The chemistry and anatomy of a child8217;s brain change as proteins accumulate. A process called milination helps to form better connection between the fibres white matter and neurons grey matter. The reverse changes happen after the age of 20. With age, there is a gradual reduction in the weight and volume of the brain. 8220;With additional stress, the ageing happens faster,8221; says Dr Nagpal.

The stress factor

Stress is a biochemical change and, like the rest of the body, it affects the brain as well. It causes depletion of mental energy and brain meta-bolic energy. 8220;The burn-out syndrome will also affect your brain. Neurons get affected like cells in the rest of the body,8221; says Dr Nagpal. Ac-cording to him, working beyond one8217;s capabil-ity can be damaging for one8217;s brain cells.

8220;Studies have shown that over-working brains show signs of ageing early. They have difficulty in coping with stress, show intellectual decline, loss of memory and inadequacy of concentra-tion very early,8221; he added. What causes this?

8220;Stress is part of everybody8217;s lives but what is important is how much of the stress one inter-nalises,8221; said Dr Nagpal. The questions to be asked are: Are you working beyond your capac-ity? Are you sleeping enough? Do you have emotional support?

Alert and awake

Studies show that mental and physical alertness in the middle age translates into improved learning. Though the direct correlation between mental and physical activity and growth of neurons is not established, the brain is dynamic and responds to mental stimulation and environmental factors. So mental exercises, meditation and creative work help the brain to enhance its capacity.

Exercise your grey cells

Here are some tips from Dr Nagpal to keep your brain healthy and running:

8226; Be happy. That8217;s the best antidote

8226; Exercise daily, limit television-viewing, drink lots of water. Read, solve crossword puzzles and learn a language to stimulate your mind

8226; Interact with the young

8226; Give enough rest to your brain

8226; Consult a doctor if you have mood swings and difficulty in coping with stress

8226; Diet should have lots of protein and moderate amounts of carbohydrate. Have food rich in flivinoides, betacarotene and antioxidants. yellow foods like carrots, pumpkin and papaya Vitamin C and E are also important

8226; Yogasanas like Mayurasan and Pranayam are very good for the brain.