Finding better brain health through food

OKLAHOMA CITY (KOKH) — The Brain Boys want you to start a love affair– with your own mind. They say it’s never too early or too late to start setting your self-up for better brain health.

 

Brain health has many parts and food, social relations, and environmental conditions are all part of the equation. Valentine’s Day could be the right time to start appreciating and actively taking care of your brain.

 

“They are behavior and lifestyle changes. The younger you start doing this the better protected you will be, you know as you get older,” says Michael Patterson, MindRamp Consulting CEO.

 

It it’s never too late to start and that is the message mind ramp wants to get across. It turns out that food can be a first step to brain health.

 

“I think it gives you encouragement to do the best you can no matter how old you are. We can always have better lives,” says Beverly Langley, Concordia resident.

 

A Concordia chef prepares a variety of colorful healthy options and even some chocolate treats. All of this food is part of MINDRAMP’s message of brain health.

 

“We are going to be doing an unusual kind of aerobics we call taste aerobics. This was invented a couple of decades ago as we were doing our clinical trials to figure out what can stimulate someone in all five of the senses,“ says Roger Anunsen, MINDRAMP Consulting president.

 

Think of it as mindful eating– feeling, smelling and really savoring your food. MINDRAMP says thinking about what you eat can keep your mind sharp when it comes to taste and even bring up memories in your life.

 

A surprising change if you practice this kind of brain health exercise is the possibility you will enjoy your food more while eating less. Patterson and Anunsen say it can take 20 minutes for the brain to realize it’s full, so taking your time means there is a chance you won’t over eat.