Issue link: https://imageup.uberflip.com/i/1533647
By Suzette Strauss, Resident e title of this article is a joke my husband likes to say to our grandkids, but becoming "forgetful" is no joking matter. As we head into the last quarter of this game we call life, our brain health, like our body, oen changes. at's why cell- care is the new self-care. Research has found that most of our cells regenerate on average every seven to 10 years, while our skin cells are replaced every few weeks. Will the process result in a younger you, a well-maintained you, or an older you? e results largely depend on the nutrients your cells receive daily. Remember the saying from the beginning of the computer age, "garbage in… garbage out?" ere is a lot of truth to that, especially on a cellular level. I am thankful for the three-part series that begins in this issue of e View magazine, written by Annette Hillis, titled: "Food, Toxins and Health." Be sure to give it a read. My focus is on our brain health. Studies show that most seniors crave sweets when, in fact, their brain needs healthy fats, like avocado. We give it a piece of cake or a donut and experience sugar boosts of temporary satisfaction, but soon crash and are no better off than before our indulgence. Blending half of an avocado with your favorite protein shake is a brain- healthy alternative. We can stimulate our brain with activities, games, cras, and learning, so why consider cell-care? My husband and I have been avid superfood consumers for many years. We also do our best to limit sugar and processed foods, except when we splurge at potlucks… of course. en a few years ago, a friend of ours began noticing some "slipping" of his memory. e words he wanted to say just were not coming to the surface as fast, or sometimes at all. We joined in the search for answers, and I learned that our brain is affected by the health of our chromosomes and more specifically the telomeres. Telomeres are protective caps at the ends of chromosomes that are made of DNA and protein. ey help maintain chromosome stability and prevent them from fraying or becoming "tangled." Telomere length may predict lifespan, as shortening is a cause and consequence of aging. Lifestyle factors like smoking, obesity, diet, and exercise can affect telomere length. Notice in the image how the length of the telomeres is so much longer in the teenage years. Now, notice the shortened length, due to fraying, that results in the aged look of the adult. I mentioned superfoods earlier and one of my discoveries was a supplement made by the company I get most of my superfoods from. e product is called Recharge NAD. It has been clinically shown to protect cells against oxidative and environmental stress, slows the aging process at the cellular level by boosting the cells' natural detoxification, and supports telomere health. is supplement has become part of my daily routine. Another supplement we found to assist the brain is called Cognitex Alpha GPC which works in other ways, and worth mentioning, due to a trial of the product by my husband. So, rather than forgetting old what's his face, let us remember that cell-care is self-care. SOLERA DIAMOND VALLEY | APRIL 2025 5 I'll Never Forget Old "What's His Face"