photo credit: life'sDHA
Saturday’s USA Memory Championship, held in New York, is a true example of the amazing potential of the human brain. Nelson Dellis, 27, is a Florida-based memory consultant who insists he’s an everyday guy who became interested in techniques to improve his memory.
By the end of the day, Nelson was crowned the 2012 USA Memory Champion and broke his record from last year by memorizing an amazing 303 consecutive digits in five minutes!
A common misconception is brain health is predetermined and can’t be changed – it’s the “you’re stuck with what you got” notion. But experts suggest brain health can be positively influenced throughout different stages in life.
A recent state-by-state ranking, America’s Brain Health Index, delivers data on how well Americans are successfully incorporating the four dimensions of brain health – diet and nutrition (Nourished Mind), physical health (Physically Active Mind), mental health (Mentally Engaged Mind) and social well-being (Socially Connected Mind) – into their daily lives.
The top-ranked state – Maryland – scored highest on the Index because of residents’ performance on a number of health markers, including high consumption of fish rich in DHA and DHA-fortified foods and supplements, as well as a low incidence of Alzheimer’s disease-related deaths. Residents of the states that ranked the lowest (Mississippi and Louisiana) can make adjustments to help get their brains in shape. Where does your state rank?
Four easy steps to a beautiful mind:
Step 1 – Get moving
Engage in physical activity for at least 30 minutes a day to encourage new brain cells and connections to form.
Step 2 – Nourish your body and mind
Maximize your intake of DHA found in fatty fish. If you are vegetarian, find it in algal DHA-fortified foods and beverages like juice, milk, eggs and in algal DHA supplements, including the Algal-900 DHA and BrainStrong brands.
Step 3 – Embrace new activities
Commit to lifelong learning, which can take the form of brain-stimulating activities, including reading, creating art, completing crosswords, learning a new language or playing a new instrument. Or, you can start training to be a mental athlete in next year’s USA Memory Championship!
Step 4 – Expand your social network
Stay socially connected so you feel like you’re a part of something.
Health Update 