Employee Wellness Newsletter |
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September 2020: Activate Your Brain for Healthy Aging |
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Healthy aging is all about taking care of your brain and your body. No matter your age, healthy lifestyle choices can enhance your days; by moving, being mentally active, staying connected with family and friends, and eating well we can achieve optimum health while we age. Our goal for you is to stay healthy, productive, and engaged in your well-being so that you can enjoy every minute of life! |
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One of the best ways to take control of our brain health is through decreasing inflammation levels. There are many contributors to an inflamed brain and diet is one of them. Being mindful of how our lifestyle impacts inflammation in our bodies is so important as inflammation can manifest simply as brain fog or forgetfulness, to more serious concerns like depression, dementia and attention deficit disorder.
Our brain health is impacted from our blood sugar control, the bacteria in our gut, and the types of dietary fat we consume. Our brains are actually made up of 60% DHA, omega-3 fats. Therefore, our diet serves as the building blocks to healthy brains cells that create positive communication signals impacting our mood, digestion, energy and much more! The quality of what we put in our bodies impacts the output of the way we feel and function.
Blood Sugar ControlÂÂÂÂ
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Limit- Processed carbohydrates (crackers, pastas, cereals, breads), concentrated fruit juices, added sugars (sodas, salad dressings, yogurt, sauces and soups).
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Emphasize- Wholefood sources of fruits with their fibrous skins and seeds, non-starchy vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, kale, spinach, cabbage, sprouts and watercress.
Gut Bacteria
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Limit- Processed foods and added sugars which create an imbalance of good bacteria and increase “leakiness” of our gut contributing to inflammation
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Emphasize- Fiber rich foods like cruciferous vegetables, chicory root, leeks, onions, bananas, apples. Probiotic rich foods such as kefir, fermented vegetables, tempeh, miso, and yogurt.
Dietary Fat
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Limit- Industrial seeds oils (vegetable oil blends, canola, soybean, cottonseed, safflower), margarine, and vegetable oil butter spreads
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Emphasize- Whole food fat sources like (dry roasted or raw) nut and seeds, avocados, salmon, tuna, beef, organ meats, eggs, olive, avocado and coconut oil
*Pro Tip*: Many processed foods have both added sugars and industrial seeds oils. Focusing on swapping those foods out for wholesome, unprocessed foods can have profound impacts on your brain health.
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In order to live well and thrive each and every day, you may need resources to help you sustain or get you there. Refer to the resources below which focus on how your brain health can aid in healthy aging!
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Our brain health can improve through our diet and also through physical exercise and brain exercises. Sudoku is a great way to exercise our brain, keep it active and test our memory!
This month challenge yourself to doing a Sudoku instead of watching TV or scrolling through your phone. There are six different levels of difficulty to start at – Enjoy!
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Looking for Additional Well-Being Tools to Thrive?
Check out our Wellness Page which features Wellness Seminars, Mindful Moments, and much more!
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About the Monthly Wellness Newsletter |
The everyday choices we make can help us live healthier, happier and more fulfilling lives. The CGO Employee Wellness Newsletter provides monthly resources and education on a variety of topics like nutrition, exercise, emotional health and resilience, prevention and more. Our hope is that this information empowers you to incorporate sustainable healthy habits for a lifetime of good health and well-being.
Always consult with your physician before beginning any wellness program. This general information is not intended to replace your healthcare professional.

Sources: National Council on Aging, Mindbodygreen, Zywave
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