Maintaining a healthy brain is crucial as we age, and the foods we eat play a significant role in supporting cognitive function. From berries to salmon, certain nutrient-dense foods have been shown to improve memory, protect against age-related cognitive decline, and even potentially lower the risk of dementia. Here are 8 delicious brain-boosting foods to incorporate into your diet today:

1. Berries

Berries, particularly blueberries and strawberries, are rich in flavonoids that can help lower the risk of age-related cognitive decline. Research suggests that adding berries to the diet can prevent age-related memory loss and delay memory decline by up to two and a half years. Aim for at least two servings of berries per week to reap the brain benefits.

2. Salmon

Fatty fish like salmon are an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential for brain health. Consuming just one weekly seafood meal may reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s and dementia. Omega-3 fatty acids can decrease inflammation, support the structure of brain cells, and potentially protect against exposure to neurotoxins and air pollution. Opt for wild-caught salmon for the best quality.

3. Dark Chocolate

Indulge your sweet tooth with dark chocolate, which is packed with antioxidants and flavonoids that can improve blood flow to the brain and reduce inflammation. Look for chocolate with a high cacao content (72% or greater) for maximum benefits. Dark chocolate can also combat fatigue, boost mood and alertness, and improve brain plasticity crucial for learning.

4. Turmeric

This vibrant spice is rich in antioxidants and has been shown to boost mood, memory, and overall brain health. Turmeric’s anti-inflammatory properties make it especially beneficial for the brain, as inflammation is a key contributor to age-related cognitive decline. Add turmeric to your favorite dishes or consider taking a supplement.

5. Nuts and Seeds

Walnuts are particularly beneficial for brain health, as they are an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids and have been linked to improved cognitive function and memory. Other nuts and seeds, such as almonds and chia seeds, are also great sources of brain-boosting nutrients like vitamin E, which may help prevent cognitive decline.

6. Avocados

Avocados are rich in lutein, an antioxidant associated with cognitive benefits. They also provide healthy fats that support brain function. Enjoy avocado toast, add it to salads, or use it as a spread.

7. Leafy Greens

Leafy greens like spinach and kale are packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that can help protect the brain from age-related damage. Studies show that consumption of leafy green vegetables was associated with slower cognitive decline. Aim for at least six servings of leafy greens per week.

8. Eggs

Eggs are a great source of choline, a micronutrient that plays a crucial role in brain health, including memory, thinking, and mood. One large egg provides about 25% of the daily choline requirement for men and 35% for women. Choose B-rich foods such as eggs, as well as chicken, fish, leafy greens and dairy.

By incorporating these brain-boosting foods into your diet, you can support cognitive function, reduce inflammation, and potentially lower your risk of age-related cognitive decline. Remember, it’s never too late to make changes to your eating habits to support brain health.

Contact Us

If you or a loved one requires neurosurgical care, trust in the expertise of a qualified neurosurgeon to guide you through your journey to recovery. Southern California Brain & Spine Surgery, a top Los Angeles facility, has treated spine problems for over 10 years.

Dr. Moksha Ranasinghe is the lead neurosurgeon, who is a top-rated spine surgeon in Los Angeles on websites like Yelp, findatopdoc.com, Google Businesses, and Healthgrades. You can schedule an appointment with her by filling out the contact form or calling (213)369-4583.

Brain tumors are a serious health concern, affecting millions of people worldwide. While the exact causes of brain tumors are not fully understood, there are several steps you can take to reduce your risk and recognize the early warning signs. In this blog, we’ll explore practical strategies to safeguard your brain health.

Understanding Brain Tumors

Brain tumors are abnormal growths of cells that can develop within the brain or surrounding tissues. They can be either benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous), and can vary in their aggressiveness and impact on the brain’s function. Early detection and proper treatment by a skilled neurosurgeon are crucial for the best possible outcomes.

Minimizing Radiation Exposure

One of the known risk factors for brain tumors is exposure to ionizing radiation, such as from medical imaging tests or radiation therapy for previous cancers. To reduce your risk, it’s important to discuss any concerns about radiation exposure with your neurosurgeon and ask about alternative imaging techniques that use less radiation.

Maintaining a Healthy Lifestyle

While there is no definitive way to prevent brain tumors, adopting a healthy lifestyle can help reduce your risk. This includes:

• Eating a nutrient-rich diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
• Engaging in regular physical activity to improve blood flow and brain health
• Maintaining a healthy weight and avoiding obesity
• Limiting alcohol consumption and quitting smoking

Recognizing the Warning Signs

Early detection of brain tumors is crucial for effective treatment. Be aware of the following warning signs and seek medical attention promptly if you experience any of them:

• Persistent headaches, especially in the morning
• Seizures or changes in vision, hearing, or balance
• Difficulty with speech, memory, or cognitive function
• Unexplained nausea or vomiting
• Personality changes or mood swings

Genetic and Family History Considerations

In some cases, brain tumors can have a hereditary component. If you have a family history of brain tumors or related conditions, it’s important to consult a neurosurgeon or genetic counselor to assess your risk and explore options for early detection and prevention.

Importance of Regular Check-ups

Regular check-ups with a neurosurgeon can help identify any potential issues early on and ensure prompt treatment if a brain tumor is detected. These check-ups may include physical examinations, neurological assessments, and imaging tests, such as MRI or CT scans.

Conclusion

By understanding the risk factors, adopting healthy lifestyle habits, and being vigilant about the warning signs, you can take proactive steps to reduce your risk of developing a brain tumor. If you have any concerns or would like to schedule a consultation with a skilled neurosurgeon, we encourage you to visit socalbrainspine.com today. Your brain health is our top priority.

Walking abnormalities, headaches, difficulty maintaining balance, frequent urge to micturate, memory loss, vision problems! Does this sound like you? If it does, you might be suffering from Hydrocephalus. It is completely normal to feel anxious. However, this anxiety might lead you to avoid consulting a doctor or having the timely treatment that you need right now! To make things more clear to you, here is a detailed description of all you need to know about signs of Hydrocephalus in adults.

What is Hydrocephalus and at what age does it occur?

Hydrocephalus is basically an accumulation of excess fluid in the ventricles of your brain known as Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). It enlarges the ventricles and puts pressure on surrounding brain tissues causing memory loss, cognitive impairment, walking difficulties, and loss of reasoning ability.

Mostly it occurs in adults at the age of 60 or more. In adults, Hydrocephalus usually occurs secondary to some other brain conditions like any brain infection(meningitis), tumor, or trauma. It’s very difficult to diagnose because its symptoms are similar to other disorders like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease. However, it must get diagnosed timely to make the recovery possible. 

Signs of Hydrocephalus in Adults

Diagnosing hydrocephalus can be a little tricky as it shares common symptoms with other brain disorders like Alzheimer’s. We have put together a list of the 5 most common signs of Hydrocephalus in Adults.

1. Gait Problems

The first noticeable symptom of normal pressure hydrocephalus in adults is to experience difficulty walking. It becomes extremely difficult to take the first few steps when you want to start walking. It seems as if feet are glued to the ground. Some patients often describe it as if their feet are frozen. Specific features of gait disturbance in Hydrocephalus are wide-based gait patterns with outward rotated feet and diminished height of steps. That’s different from the gait of people suffering from Parkinson’s disease as they have a shuffling gait associated with rigidity. Similar symptoms are present in Alzheimer’s disease as well but an experienced doctor can tell the difference. As the Hydrocephalus progresses, you may become increasingly unsteady, lose your balance and be more likely to fall when turning around.

2. Urinary Problems

Changes in your gait and maintaining balance are often accompanied by urinary incontinence. There is mostly neurogenic disturbance of urination, especially as the way to the toilet is more difficult due to the presence of gait disturbance. At first, the patient suffers from increased micturition frequency, as the disease progresses urge incontinence usually follows. Fecal incontinence is rare and is normally seen in advanced stages.

3. Cognition Problems

The normal thinking process starts to slow down such as psychomotor slowing and impairment of attention, working memory, verbal fluency, and executive function. Changes in personality and behavior are also observed. The patient’s response rate becomes very slow. They fail to process the information and react to it appropriately.

4. Dementia

The dementia of Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus can be similar to Alzheimer’s disease.  Hydrocephalus dementia involves confusion, short-term memory, forgetfulness, trouble paying attention, and lack of interest in daily life activities.

5. Headaches And Vision Problems

One of the major signs of Hydrocephalus in adults is a headache. It is worse in the morning because the fluid in your brain doesn’t drain while you are lying and the fluid may build up overnight. The headache is usually severe and is associated with vomiting and photophobia. It also makes it hard for the patients to get a sound sleep due to throbbing pain. With Hydrocephalus the nerves get weakened which causes the patient to experience double vision. 

Prompt Diagnosis and Early Treatment

A definitive diagnosis of this treatment could only be made through imaging studies like CT scan and MRI, gait analysis, lumbar puncture, and neurophysiology assessment.  Early diagnosis and treatment can have very favorable results.

Medications have no use in the treatment of Hydrocephalus. The definitive treatment widely accepted worldwide is the shunt system. It’s the placement of a shunt to drain the excess fluid from the brain via a silicon tube into other body cavities like the peritoneal cavity (the area surrounding abdominal organs) or in heart chambers where the fluid can be easily absorbed by the body. This shunt remains there throughout the life of the patient. Follow-up visits, diagnostic tests, and neurophysiological assessments are done from time to time to see if the shunt is working properly or not. Ensuring you have the proper shunt will also help alleviate headaches which can improve your sleep quality.

Recovery from shunt placement takes three to four days. Studies show that 50% to 80% of patients can expect an improvement in their symptoms in the first 2 years.

The prognosis of any surgery depends upon the patient’s general health and stage of the disease. If Hydrocephalus is diagnosed and treated in the early stages, there is a good possibility of recovery.

Talk to A Neurosurgeon!

If you are not feeling like yourself due to symptoms like gait, abnormalities, reduced mental function, balance problems, headaches, vision problems, and urinary incontinence. You might be dealing with Hydrocephalus. Hydrocephalus can come quickly or develop over time but in both cases, the condition doesn’t get better on its own.  

Considering making an appointment with a neurosurgeon? Contact the neurosurgeon at Southern California Brain and Spine Surgery today. Our board certified neurosurgeon will provide you with care, diagnostics and an appropriate management plan that will suit you.

For more information contact us through our website or reach us at (213)-369 4583 to one of our doctors now!