WHY COGNITIVE FLEXIBILITY MATTERS — PLUS FOUR WAYS TO KEEP YOUR BRAIN STRONG AS YOU AGE

When it comes to maintaining brain function, most research focuses on memory loss as an indicator of brain health as we age. However, new research shows that there’s another area that deserves attention: cognitive flexibility. But what is it, and why is it important?

What is it?
Simply put, cognitive flexibility is the ability to efficiently switch between tasks — it's a function our brains practice all day long. While several definitions exist, most experts agree that it's part of executive functioning – which also includes working memory, reasoning, task flexibility, problem-solving, planning and execution.

How does cognitive flexibility change as we age?
Like any function of the brain, the rate at which our cognitive flexibility changes will vary from person to person. Decreased cognitive flexibility can hinder many of our higher-level cognitive processes – like speech and decision-making.

Cognitive flexibility has been shown to be a better predictor of daily functioning abilities than memory – which is why it's critical to not only understand it, but to ensure you're doing everything you can to keep this function as strong as possible as you age.

How can we strengthen our cognitive flexibility?
The obvious answers to this question include reducing stress, maintaining good health and exercising. But there is more you can do.

• Read. Reading is a great way to keep your brain interested and stimulated, as it requires several regions to work together at the same time.
• Eat omega-3 fatty acids. Studies, including a recent study at the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, which was funded by Abbott, have shown that optimal nutrition – including omega-3 fatty acids – may help preserve cognitive function in at-risk older adults, slow the process of aging and reduce the incidence of debilitating diseases. This means incorporating more delicious foods like salmon, halibut, flaxseed, peanut butter, walnuts, kale and spinach into your diet may be helpful.
• Play games. Chess, anyone? From board games to online brain training exercises (there are plenty of online apps and games you can try), keeping your brain challenged can help build neural pathways. Having these mental reserves has been shown to help delay cognitive decline.
• Exercise. Beyond physical fitness, exercise can help maintain brain health, too. Engaging in cardiovascular activities will help supply blood to the brain – blood that's packed with nutrients to keep your cells healthy. Like games, exercise helps build important neural pathways, too.

Thinking about cognitive flexibility now can help ensure optimal brain health as you age. For more information about the UIUC study on omega-3 fatty acids enhancing cognitive flexibility in at-risk older adults, which was conducted by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in conjunction with the Carle Neuroscience Institute at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana and funded by Abbott Nutrition funded through the Center for Nutrition, Learning and Memory at Illinois, please see this article.