Memory, Aging, and Chiropractic Care
It’s no secret that as we age, our memory can become less reliable. Even without suffering from a condition like dementia, the aging process can often cause us to forget events, names, faces, and facts that were once at our fingertips. While this is somewhat expected, there are also ways to manage memory loss and keep it to a minimum. By keeping our bodies healthy with physical activity, good nutrition, and regular visits to a Charlotte chiropractor, we can help our brains remain nimble as long as possible.
HOW AGING IMPACTS THE BRAIN
The brain is the most complex organ in the human body, and there is no single factor that changes how it works as we age. Instead, a combination of lifestyle choices, genetic proclivities, and normal physical changes contribute to a loss of memory. One common factor is called neuroplasticity, or the brain’s ability to cognitively function for both voluntary and involuntary tasks.
Progressive degeneration of neuroplasticity is commonly seen in illnesses like Alzheimer’s or dementia, and it is possible to expand your neuroplasticity through some mental exercises. But your level of neuroplasticity is also a reflection of your physical health.
NEUROPLASTICITY AND THE SPINE
Within the spine, you can find essential nerve bundles and delivery systems that are tasked with feeding the brain. When these nerves are working to communicate properly, unconscious and complex functions can be carried out easily without much effort, and the body’s systems remain intact.
But when the spine shifts from its natural alignment, stress is put onto these nerve systems. This disrupts communication throughout the body, which can slow down mental processes or cut off the supply of essential things like oxygen.
These disruptions can cause migraines, mental fog, lethargy, and even long-term brain damage if not properly addressed.
MAINTAINING MEMORY THROUGH PROPER CARE
If you are noticing signs of memory loss or simply want to prevent it from occurring, you can help improve neuroplasticity and help your brain thrive. Some recommendations include the following:
- Continuing to challenge yourself mentally by learning new skills, reading, completing brain puzzles like crosswords, and even doing memory recall exercises.
- Being active for at least 30 minutes each day.
- Maintaining a balanced diet, including things like fatty fish, coffee, and berries that have been shown to improve memory.
- Creating systems to help you remember important items, like writing things down or using repetition.
Along with these lifestyle changes, you can also rely on regular chiropractic care to help with proper brain function. When the spine is aligned, your nerves can better communicate through your brain, allowing it to operate at full capacity. Gentle adjustments from Dr. Grant Lisetor at Greater Life Chiropractic can help ensure your spine is in an optimal state to make the best of your golden years.
We all want to make as many good memories as possible in life and hold onto them for as long as we can. Whether you are experiencing memory loss or want to begin increasing neuroplasticity now, contact Charlotte chiropractor Dr. Grant Lisetor today to begin.
Sources
Fuchs, E., Flügge, G. “Adult neuroplasticity: more than 40 years of research.” Neural Plasticity, 2014; 2014: 541870. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24883212/
Gomez-Pinilla, F. “Brain foods: the effects of nutrients on brain function.” Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 2008 Jul; 9(7): 568–578. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2805706/
