For good brain health, Hawaii ranks in top 20 … still
Hawaii does well in many state-by-state comparisons, but many kamaaina would be discomforted by our 19th place ranking by a new research study that show the state lost brain health and slipped one place from last year. The study was conducted by the nonprofit National Center for Creative Aging, which is affiliated with George Washington University, and th company called "life’s DHA," which sells and promotes DHA Omega-3 products.
According to life's DHA, "Docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA, is a polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acid found throughout the body. It is a major structural fat in the brain and retina accounting for up to 97 percent of the omega-3 fats in the brain and up to 93 percent of the omega-3 fats in the retina. It is also a key component of the heart. Numerous studies confirm that everyone, from infants to adults, benefits from an adequate supply of DHA."
According to the study, the factors contributing to brain health include:
> Diet and nutrition: A healthy diet that is low in saturated fat and added sugar but rich in brain-enhancing foods such as good fats like DHA omega-3, antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables, and DHA supplements.
> Physical health: Staying physically active for at least 30 minutes a day most days of the week and making wise lifestyle decisions such as getting enough sleep and not smoking.
> Mental health: Continually challenging the brain through activities such as game playing, creative pursuits like gardening, dancing or painting, or learning a new language or skill.
> Social well-being: Nurturing human connections and engaging in social activities to give life purpose, such as volunteering.
Working with nonprofits, the sector that probably contributes the most to “giving life purpose,” should help brain health. Delaware gained the most, while Maryland and Washington, D.C. top the list as locales where people are doing a lot for their brain health. Look at the rank-order list, though, to see which states could use lots of brain health improvement:
Top ten:
1. Maryland
2. District of Columbia
3. Washington
4. Colorado
5. Vermont
6. New Hampshire
7. Oregon
8. Utah
9. Maine
10. New Jersey
Second ten:
11. Alaska
12. Georgia
13. Connecticut
14. Florida
15. Massachusetts
16. Montana
17. New York
18. Pennsylvania
19. Hawaii
20. Delaware
Bottom ten:
42. North Dakota
43. Kentucky
44. Indiana
45. Tennessee
46. West Virginia
47. Alabama
48. Oklahoma
49. Arkansas
50. Louisiana
51. Mississippi
For early Baby Boomers, the researchers say, now is the time pay attention to brain health. It's good for all of us that working with nonprofits may be one of the brain-healthier things we can do. According to the study, Hawaii residents are nourishing their minds through a high consumption of fish rich in DHA. However, we could be socializing our brains by getting more involved with the community.
Hawaii’s strengths include:
- Low incidence Alzheimer's disease-related deaths
- High consumption of fish rich in DHA
- Low incidence of poor mental health days
Hawaii’s challenges are:
- Inactive community participants
- Inactive game players
- Low level of religious or spiritual activity
