The Aging-Cognition Link. How to Reduce and Reverse Cognitive Aging

There are both gains and losses in cognitive functioning with age so the aging cognition link is complex. Most of the gains are a result of experience and a build up of knowledge & expertise over a lifetime. This is called crystallized intelligence. But from the mid 30s onwards our fluid intelligence - overall information processing efficiency and the ability to reason, problem solve & learn in new situations - tends to decline. Memory function may also perform less well. This decline in cognitive function is called cognitive aging or cognitive decline. The good news is that while cognitive aging is statistical fact, it is not inevitable: you can maintain and improve your fluid intelligence and memory at any age.

Take a free 'brain age test' to find your cognitive age

Your IQ level is a measure of your overall cognitive efficiency and brain functioning. On average IQ level declines with age as the graph shows below. This decline is in fluid intelligence, not crystallized intelligence.

Average IQ test scores for different age groups

Take a brain age test with one of our recommended free online IQ tests - in particular the first recommended test. Using the above graph you can then figure out your cognitive age in the general population as follows. If you are 40 and have an IQ of 100 or above, you have the IQ of the average 25 year old. If you are 75 and have an IQ of 93, you have an IQ of the average 50 year old. Of course, if you have an IQ of 100 or above - whatever your age - you effectively have a cognitive age of an average 25 year old performing at their peak.

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Memory & concentration check

If your concentration is not as good as it used to be and your memory sometimes fails you, you may be suffering from the effects of cognitive aging. You may also have an increased risk of developing Alzheimer's later in life. Take this quick memory check to assess your level of memory function to determine if there's room for improvement through our brain fitness program or brain plans.

memory check

What happens in the brain with cognitive aging? 

There are two ways an aging brain experience cognitive decline and lose cognitive efficiency: 1. Brain cell death & reduced brain plasticity - the ability of brain to grow new brain cells (neurogenesis) or make new connections between brain cells (synaptic plasticity). 2. Less efficient energy supply for brain circuitry activity. Your fluid intelligence is based on two brain structures: the prefrontal cortex and the hippocampus. It is known that the aging process targets both these structures more than others, and their volumes can reduce with age.

Cognitive aging can be reversed & fluid intelligence & short term memory increased

Don't become a statistical fact! Cognitive aging and cognitive decline are not inevitable, and the science shows this. The aging cognition link can be positive, and with age you can actually increase fluid intelligence and IQ. In Dr. Benton and colleagues' extensive research on aging they concluded: "normal aging does not necessarily involve a general decline in level of cognitive functioning". 

IQ Lift's scientifically endorsed long term brain plans will all counteract the cognitive aging process. Click on the icon for more details.

      
long term brain plans for brain health and fitness
click on one of our cognitive health plans

Exercise, brain supplements & brain training all promote brain plasticity and brain fitness

The following factors have been shown to stimulate brain plasticity and brain cell growth and prevent cognitive decline:

Regular physical exercise (walking, jogging, cycling, swimming, yoga) is not only effective  in the prevention of hyper-tension, heart disease, cancer, type II diabetes, osteoporosis and depression. It is also one of the best ways to stimulate brain cell growth  in the hippocampus and maintain brain function and cognitive efficiency throughout the lifespan. Regular exercise on some measures results in 2-3 times as many new neurons being produced by the brain. A physically active lifestyle can help prevent loss of cognitive efficiency with aging and neuro-degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's. 

Brain Nutrition. A diet high in saturated fat and sugar (junk foods) not only increases risk of cardio-vascular disease and cancer, but sharply reduces the brain’s production of new neurons and speeds up cognitive aging. On the positive side, several natural brain foods or brain supplements have been shown in laboratory tests to promote brain cell growth, improve brain function and reduce cognitive aging. Creatine – which helps provide a steady fuel supply to both brain and muscle cells - has been shown to be a particularly effective natural brain supplement to counter cognitive aging and maintain good brain and body metabolism in older age. (See the scientific references.)

Fluid Intelligence Brain Training. Research shows that you need to exercise your brain to maintain optimal cognitive performance. Daily brain training with our scientifically validated  brain training exercise results in increased brain plasticity of neural connections in the prefrontal cortex - part of the brain circuitry targeted by cognitive aging. This brain plasticity underlies the dramatic training improvements in memory, fluid intelligence and IQ. No other known brain training exercise improves fluid intelligence and IQ - by over 40% in the groundbreaking scientific study by Dr Jaeggi and her colleagues in 2008 that can be accessed here.

How to counteract the effects of cognitive aging?
Click on which of IQ Lift's fluid intelligence increasing methods
you are most interested in learning more about

Our High IQ Pro® software comes with a money back guarantee if you do not get significant gains in your IQ on a valid IQ test, and at least a 40% gain in your short term working memory capacity.

 
*** for the scientific references for this page, click here  ***