As people get older, their thinking skills tend to decline. This is a normal part of aging. We may struggle to find the right words, spend more hours at work, lose items, or forget what we had for dinner last night. However, super-agers are different.
Who are the super-agers?
Super-agers are people over 80 whose memory and thinking skills are similar to those of someone who is 50. The term "super-ager" was first used by experts at the Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neuroscience and Alzheimer's Disease. They are currently studying why some people age so well.
How the brains of super-agers compare to others
Most brains age at a similar speed. In your 30s and 40s, the brain starts to gradually shrink. After age 60, this process speeds up. But super-agers have different brain features:
Less loss of brain cells in the front part of the brain, which helps with thinking and decision-making. Images show that their brain cortex is thicker than most people in their 50s and 60s.
More preservation of the hippocampus, a part of the brain tied to memory. It shrinks with age, but less so in super-agers.
Few tau tangles inside neurons. These protein clumps are common in Alzheimer's disease and can appear years before memory problems. When they build up, they disrupt how neurons work.
Higher numbers of cells involved in social skills. These cells help with empathy and self-control.
Is it true that being a super-ager is only about genes?
Your brain’s aging is partly genetic. But the Mayo Clinic says about 80 percent of brain health depends on your environment, habits, and life choices. Things like access to good healthcare, exposure to toxins, exercise, smoking, and education all play a role.
Even if you were not born with super-ager genes, you can still take steps to keep your brain healthy.
How to become a super-ager
Scientists don't fully understand super-agers yet. Still, you can work to keep your brain sharp. Here are some tips.
The MIND diet is a good option. It mixes parts of the Mediterranean and DASH diets, which help lower blood pressure. This diet may also cut down inflammation and stress from oxidation. These are both linked to long-term diseases.
The diet should mainly include plant foods, especially berries and greens, which are good for the brain. You should limit foods high in saturated fat and avoid many animal products.