DISCOVERING YOUR FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH
By
Bennett S. Flaum, PsyD & Mitchell P. Flaum, PhD
“ There is a Fountain of Youth: It
is in your mind, your talents, the creativity you bring
to your life and the lives of people you love. When you
learn to tap this source, you will truly have defeated
age.” Sophia Loren
The quest for the Fountain of
Youth has a long history. According to popular legend,
fifteenth century explorer and conquistador Juan Ponce
de Leon set out to find the fountain in the first
European expedition to Florida. It was believed at that
time that by drinking from its water, one could restore
their youth and vitality.
The search for the Fountain of
Youth continues to this day. However, we now turn to
magical elixirs developed by scientists in
pharmaceutical laboratories, hoping to find the right
potion to rejuvenate us. Some turn to pills, others to
blood transfusions or injections of numerous chemical
formulations. Indeed, our society has evolved into one
that clearly worships youthfulness and abhors and fears
the aging process.
Beyond the obsession with
maintaining a youthful physical appearance, is the
terror of facing the ravages of cognitive
decline associated with the aging process. Clearly , we
have all at some point borne witness to such decline
amongst friends, relatives and colleagues, manifesting
itself in the form of Alzheimer’s disease or other
senile dementias. The ultimate question remains as to
what is within our power to control as we get older,
inasmuch as the aging process is a natural part of our
biological genetic destiny? More specifically, how do we
maintain a fit brain with a robust memory function?
Indeed, one of the greatest
concerns among the current baby boomer generation is
preventing brain degeneration and avoiding memory
atrophy and loss. There is increasing evidence that we
can slow down this process, at the very least, by
focusing on the proper diet and nutrition, in addition
to keeping the brain properly oxygenated by maintaining
a regular cardiovascular exercise regimen. Of course,
this requires the proper supervision by a licensed
physician. The following is but a brief survey of some
research-based discoveries of what substances can help
us to maintain our own inner Fountain of Youth. The
list includes vitamins, minerals, herbs, and amino
acids.
VITAMINS
The B vitamins such as folic acid,
B6 and B12 appear to help maintain normal cognitive
function . B vitamins may work by protecting us from the
effects of homocysteine, which can kill brain cells.
Furthermore, research findings found a high 9incidence
of folate deficiency ( a B vitamin) in patients with
dementia. Green leafy vegetables such as lettuce and
kale are a good source of Vitamin B .
Vitamins A, C, and E are all forms
of natural antioxidants. Antioxidants are substances
that help neutralize the damaging effects of free
radicals, chemicals which are produced daily in the
body as a normal by-product of our digestive and
metabolic processes. Citrus fruits such as oranges and
grapefruits are a good source of Vitamin C, and carrots
have high levels of Vitamin A. Vitamin E can be found in
foods such as nuts.
MINERALS
In various studies, it was found
that deficiencies in calcium, magnesium and zinc were
related to cognitive impairment. Milk and dairy products
are good sources of calcium, while various fruits and
vegetables are good sources of magnesium and zinc.
HERBS
Various herbs have been utilized by
people as a natural anti-aging regimen. Amongst the most
popular is ginkgo biloba, an herb that people claim
helps improve memory and cognition. While no definitive
evidence firmly proves this, it is believed that ginkgo
biloba inhibits the formation of of beta-amyloid, a
protein that forms plaques in the brains of Alzheimer’s
patients.
AMINO ACIDS
Amino acids , which are what
proteins are made of, appear to help regulate brain
functioning. In particular, glutamate plays an important
role in learning and memory, while tryptophan
derivatives were found to be deficient in the
hippocampal region of the brain of patients with
Alzheimer’s disease.
Other chemical substance have also
been examined in terms of the role that they play in
optimal brain functioning. In particular, choline
supplementation, a chemical involved in the synthesis
of the neurotransmitter (brain chemical messenger)
acetylcholine, appeared to significantly improve
cognitive functions in senile mice.
Furthermore, Acetyl-L-Carnitine was also found in various
research studies to help improve memory.
In addition to physical exercise , as well as dietary
and nutritional supplementation, another element to add
to our Fountain of Youth arsenal is the regular mental
exercising of our brain. Providing ourselves with novel
and stimulating mental activities appears to keep our
brains younger and more vibrant. Consider learning a new
language or taking up a new hobby. Travel to a new
destination, and indulge your senses with new
experiences. Try new foods, listen to new music, read
books, do crossword puzzles, Sudoku, or other mentally
challenging activities. Finally, do not underestimate
the crucial importance of maintaining nurturing and
supportive relationships, to enrich the quality of our
emotional as well as mental lives by the level of
stimulati