Healthy Brain Seminar Oct 13

Keeping Your Brain Healthy
Presented by Connie Keck & Norma Miller

For BrownRichards & Associates
How the Brain Functions
• The brain consists of
about 100 billion
cells.
• It works off of both
chemical and
electrical signals.
• A neuron is basically
an on/off switch.
• Neurons are the
basis of our brains.
Chemical Receptors
Neurotransmitters must be released from the

axon, cross the synaptic cleft and be taken up
by the proper receptors in the dendrite.
Chemical Receptors
Our brains need some basic things to

produce the chemicals that carry all
the signals in the brain:
•Proper nutrition
•Oxygen
•Rest
•Stress Control
•New Learning
Some predictors of age-related decline:
• Forgetfulness and inability to concentrate are
indications of some decline or imbalance.
• Earlier indications can include diverse symptoms:
– Loss of appetite, sense of smell or taste.
– Difficulty “reading people”.
– Loss of interest in hobbies, family or friends.
HOW THE BRAIN AGES
Possible declines in:

•Processing Speed
•Executive Function
•Speech Comprehension
•Visuospatial Skill
HOW THE BRAIN IMPROVES:
Possible increases in:

•Knowledge
•Experience
•Problem-Solving Skills
•Adaptability
•Focus
How Memory Works
• Memory is dependent on the hippocampus.
• Most new neurons are produced in
the hippocampus.
• Learning tasks that engage several areas of the
brain cause more new neurons to be retained.
• How much is learned directly affects the number
of new neurons that are retained.
• The more new neurons, the healthier the brain.
How Memory Works
• Hippocampus requires dopamine.
• Dopamine requires B vitamins
• Memory speed is dependent on the myelin
sheath.
• Memory speed requires acetylcholine.
• Acetylcholine requires B vitamins. fish
oil/omega 3 oils and high protein foods.
Facts
• Short term memory can be exercised.
• Short term memory is linked to imagination
• Imagery is linked to a healthy brain.
• Having new experiences can trigger and
improve short term memory.
• Releases dopamine, a reward.
Enemies to Memory
• Lack of Sleep
• Stress
• Lack of Focus
• Poor nutrition
• Poor health/pain
Sleep
• Sleep helps information to process into the

brain’s memory.
• You need a minimum of one complete sleep
cycle (4 hours) plus an additional 4 hours of
sleep.
• In studies, loss of even one hour of sleep
significantly reduced performance on memory
tests.
Stress
• Stress causes the body to make epinephrine
and norepinephrine.
• Fight or flight response.
• Robs the brain of dopamine to
make the stress neurochemicals.
• Good nutrition, vitamins and
supplements help replace the dopamine.
• Use positive worry techniques.
Lack of Focus
• New Studies – Multitasking wastes time.
– Each time you switch your attention from one task
to another you have a drop in productivity.
• Distractions – Like multitasking, distractions
cause you to retrace steps or forget where
you were in a process.
• Lack of sleep, poor nutrition,
stress and conditions like ADD
contribute to a lack of focus.
Poor Nutrition
• The brain needs certain nutrients to make the
neurochemicals required for memory.
• Blood sugar highs and lows work the same on
your brain as power surges and lags on your
computer.
• Dehydration causes sleepiness and lack of
concentration.
Poor Health/Pain
• Pain interferes with transferring short term
memory to long term memory.
• Specifically, it disrupts the short term
memory.
• Chronic pain permanently changes the brain’s
physical structure.
• Other health problems that interfere with
memory: diabetes, arthritis, gum problems,
and many others.
What Affects the Brain?
• Environment
– Surroundings
• Change is good.
– Socialization
• The more socialized you are, the more likely
your brain will stay healthy.
– Safety
• Brain damage can show up years after
injury, often in subtle ways.
What Affects the Brain?
• Activities
– Brain Exercises
• Change your game.
– Body Exercises
• A healthy body makes a healthy brain.
– Adventures
• Try new things, build your brain.
Activities and Neurotransmitters
• Certain activities and experiences release
neurotransmitters:
– Stress releases epinephrine and norepinephrine.
– Human touch releases serotonin.
– Exercise, adventure, new learning and
accomplishments release dopamine.
• Cutting down on stress neurotransmitters
and increasing good neurotransmitters help
our brains to stay healthy.
Improving Brain Health
• Take B vitamins. All vitamins are good, B
vitamins are vital.
• Take Omega 3 or fish oils.
• Eat high protein foods like chicken, nuts, and
eggs.
• Exercise.
• Play new games.
• Learn new things/have new experiences.
• Practice using your memory.
• Eat dark foods. Drink green tea.

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Keeping Your Brain Healthy

Presented by Connie Keck & Norma Miller

Neurotransmitters must be released from the

Our brains need some basic things to

Possible declines in:

Possible increases in:

• Sleep helps information to process into the

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