72 | CANADIAN LIVING OCTOBER 2019
Myth
The brain benefits of
sleep are overrated.Our sleep patterns change as we age, it’s
true, but it’s still important to get the recom-
mended seven to nine hours of restful slumber every night. Operating
on too little sleep can result in impairment that’s equivalent to drinking
two alcoholic beverages, and impedes the glymphatic system (essen-
tially your brain’s overnight janitor), which works to clear out meta-
bolic waste when we’re in dreamland.Truth
Myth
I have to be vegan to
have a healthier brain.Don’t sweat it, meat lovers! Though Canada’s
Food Guide suggests moving to a more plant-
based diet, you don’t need to forgo meat and animal byproducts
altogether—minimizing or moderating your intake will suffice. The
golden rule: What’s good for your heart is good for your brain. Mean-
ing, adopting a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and healthy fats and
limiting your red meat, sugar, alcohol and processed food intake can
help stave off the big risk factors for cognitive decline, including
high cholesterol and type 2 diabetes.Truth
Myth
Brain shrinkage...
it’s a joke, right?“We’re constantly replacing cells that naturally
die off with new ones; this process happens in
all parts of our body, including the brain, where it’s called neurogen-
esis,” explains Dr. Greenwood. “However, if not enough new cells are
being generated, then the brain is ultimately going to shrink.” Take
heart, though. Physical activity can directly stimulate neurogenesis as
well as increase the amount of oxygen that gets to your brain. “Even
walking with an increased heart rate for just 20 minutes a day will be
beneficial,” says Christene.Truth
“It’s about
incorporating
brain health
into everyday
life. It doesn’t
have to be a big
program, it can
be incremental.
When I walk the
dog I try a dif-
ferent route
every day. Vari-
ety is the spice
of life and really
does work,”
says Christene.