Brain Safety, 3

Because of ramifications for dementia and other cognitive impairment later in life, recommendations are to wear seat belts, avoid sports that involve ‘heading the ball’ or hitting the head, and fall-proof your home to the extent possible. You only have one brain and its neurons tend to be the same ones you had in childhood. Although you cannot prevent all head injuries, you can prevent some. This is one area in life where an ounce of prevention is worth pounds of cure. What does research recommend for brain safety? Here are a few examples:

• Wear seat belts; properly install and use age- and size-appropriate car seats and booster seats
• If you smoke, stop; if you don’t smoke, never start
• Remove trip hazards from your home such as throw rugs
• Wear sturdy shoes and watch where you are going
• Avoid toxins and pesticides (exercise away from vehicle exhaust and side smoke from tobacco products)
• Drink sufficient amounts of water to achieve at least one pale urine per day
• Get regular physical exercise to increase rate of blood flow through your brain