Slowing Brain Aging with Mathematics

Brain aging happens. It is expected that at some point in our lives we should experience some level of decline in our cognitive functions. There are different factors that are said to possibly contribute to this, including genetics. Researchers also say that how much a person uses his or her brain determines the rate of cognitive decline such is likely to experience. This then means you can reduce effects of aging on your mental health by engaging in activities that stimulate your brain. From this perspective, does it mean you can benefit greatly from doing math, considering how mentally tasking it is? Read on to find out.

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Age-related changes in the brain

Aging brings along physiological and psychological changes which, in turn, brings about a variety of possibly unpleasant symptoms. These signs are essentially those characteristics associated to older individuals, including wrinkling and hair loss. They result from effects of aging on different parts or organs in the body. In the brain, these changes include shrinkage in certain parts such as the hippocampus and the prefrontal cortex. These are areas mainly responsible for memory, planning, critical thinking, and other mental functions.

Older people tend to have reduced flow of blood to different body parts, including the brain. This and other changes, such as increased free radical damage and degradation of white matter, cause cognitive functions to suffer in people as they get older. It is said that memory reaches its climax around the age of 30. From that point on, people start to lose their recall memory. This explains why the middle-aged and the elderly often misplace things. Memory loss is considered normal, so long it doesn't become severe as in cases of Alzheimer's and dementia.

Can mathematics help to fight brain aging?

The answer to that question is yes, although math is not the only beneficial activity. Neuroscientists say that the ability of the brain to retain its power depends on how active you keep it. This is a classic case of "use it or lose it." The organ could become less efficient if you do not stimulate it appropriately. Many older people tend to engage less in mentally engaging activities. This, in part, could explain high incidence of depression among such. It is also a reason for cognitive decline.

While there is really no research on how learning and practicing mathematics can slow brain aging, research has hinted at this indirectly. Activities that stimulate or challenge the brain are capable of helping to counter the age-related changes in the brain. And one thing many people will agree with is that mathematics makes people to think deep. The system is especially useful for enhancing the mental capacity of children. It tasks the brain and causes it to work possibly overtime. This way, it can help greatly to keep this key organ active.

The potential benefits of mentally stimulating activities, such as math, to the brain are not merely a matter of conjecture. Evidence from the Advanced Cognitive Training for Independent and Vital Elderly (ACTIVE) study sponsored by the NIA supports this. Some of the elderly participants in that study received training in specific areas of cognitive function – memory, reasoning or processing speed – while those in the control group got no training. The researchers observed that the training given reversed cognitive decline that could be expected in the elderly having no dementia by roughly up to 14 years. Trained individuals also performed better than those in the control group in their specific area of training after five years. They were better at daily tasks as well.

The potential benefit of doing math does not stop at slowing brain aging. It is thought that this, and other mentally-stimulating activities, may help fight Alzheimer's disease. Although the main cause of this dreaded dementia is largely unknown, it has been observed that it is more common among people of lower literacy levels. These individuals, perhaps, do not get enough mental stimulation to keep their brain active.

Other beneficial activities

There are games created for the main purpose of helping with brain stimulation to control effects of aging. While these may be beneficial, it is not likely to be greatly so. These brain training programs haven't been sufficiently shown to help older individuals. In a review of dozens of studies on this type of games, some Australian researchers found that they were not significantly useful in improving cognitive function.

Rather than focusing on these games, it is suggested that people should do any mentally stimulating activity they enjoy. The ideal brain training is that which is connected to real-world activities. It should be something that interests or excites you. And almost any activity or exercise that causes your brain to work differently from regular patterns can help. According to Everyday Health, Neuroscientist David Eagleman says something as simple as driving via a different route home or brushing with your other hand may help.

Mentally-stimulating activities may help to promote new brain cells, according to research, thereby helping with neurological plasticity. They cause new connections to form between nerve cells. The exercises may help build a functional reserve to guard against loss of brain cells in the future. In addition to solving math problems, other suggestions include:

Playing Sudoku and solving puzzles
Joining a choir
Learning how to play a musical instrument
Participating in a new sport
Taking a cooking class
Learning another language
Engaging in activities that require your hand and brain to be active (e.g. drawing, knitting or painting)

Your brain is made to learn and do new things. It wants to be kept active, engaged. Researchers say that you are more likely to suffer dementia when your brain is left passive. This causes the organ to atrophy and is a reason experts advise against watching TV for hours. In addition to stimulating your brain, whatever activity or exercise you do should ideally be one you enjoy or are fascinated by.

Healthy habits matter

Solving mathematics problems or doing other forms of mental exercise is just an aspect of slowing brain aging. Efforts to protect your overall health will also be beneficial in enhancing your mental function. These include:

Upgrading your diet – By this, we mean maintaining a healthy diet, if you are not doing that already. Such should ideally have high amount of fruits and vegetables, which are rich in antioxidants. Oxidation is thought a possible factor in the occurrence of Alzheimer's disease. Moderate calorie intake and avoid unhealthy fats. Taking brain boosting supplements that contain B vitamins, B6, B12 and folic acid, can reduce risk of dementia by lowering homocysteine levels.

Engaging in regular exercise – Your mental health also benefits every time you exercise. This causes more oxygen-rich blood to find its way to the brain. It promotes creation of new nerve cells and increase in the number of synapse (brain cell) connections. These make for a more efficient brain. Exercise also helps deal with risk factors that can accelerate cognitive decline, including high blood pressure and elevated cholesterol levels.

Staying away from smoking – It is beyond doubt that smoking does more harm than good. It deprives your brain of oxygen and promotes free radicals. As a result, tobacco - in all forms - can cause your cognitive performance to deteriorate faster. Avoid smoking!

Stoping alcohol consumption – You should also consider avoiding alcohol intake. If it is not possible for you to do without entirely, you should endeavor to keep consumption as low as possible. Dementia has been linked to alcohol intake.

A major study which appeared in PLUS ONE in 2013 highlighted the importance of healthy lifestyle choices in reducing risk of dementia. Researchers followed 2,235 men for three decades and evaluated them based on five healthy lifestyle measures. These criteria were high fruit and vegetable consumption, regular exercise, optimal BMI, non-smoking, and low-to-moderate alcohol consumption. It was found that subjects who observed at least four of these healthy behaviors were roughly 60 percent less likely to have problems of cognitive damage or dementia.

Without doubt, solving math problems can help you fight the effects of aging on your brain. Mathematics is, however, not the only option you have. Experts say almost all activities that challenge the brain or make it work differently are useful. Healthy lifestyle behaviors are also quite important in slowing age-related cognitive decline.