A health newsletter for adults over 60 who want to live fully, stay engaged in life, and continue doing what they love!

What “Super Agers” Can Teach Us About Brain Health

If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably met someone in their 70s or 80s who just seems sharp. They remember details, move with confidence, and stay engaged in conversations and activities. 

Researchers actually have a name for this group—“super agers”—and they’ve been trying to understand what sets them apart.

What the Research Is Showing

A recent peer-reviewed study published in Nature looked at adults over 80 with exceptional memory and compared their brains to typical older adults. What they found was compelling. Super agers had significantly more new or immature brain cells in the part of the brain responsible for memory, called the hippocampus.

That doesn’t mean we fully understand how or why this happens, and it’s important not to overstate it. But it does suggest something meaningful: the brain may be more adaptable with age than we once thought.

What This Means for Us

When researchers study people who age well—both physically and mentally—there are a few patterns that tend to show up consistently. They stay active, they remain mentally engaged, and they regularly challenge both their body and their brain. Not in extreme ways, and not perfectly, but consistently over time. That’s encouraging, because those are things that are within our control.

Why We Train Body + Brain Together

This is one of the main reasons we combine physical movement with simple brain challenges in training. When you do both at the same time, you’re not just strengthening muscles—you’re strengthening communication between the brain and the body. This process, often referred to as neuroplasticity, is one of the key ways we maintain function and independence as we age.

A Quick Example

I filmed a short video with one of my clients to show what this can look like in a real session. She’s working on building leg strength with a simple movement, while at the same time responding to a small brain challenge layered into the exercise.

It’s not complicated, but it is intentional—and it reflects how we actually move in everyday life, where we’re rarely just going through the motions without thinking, reacting, and adjusting.

The Bigger Picture

It is encouraging to know that the brain doesn’t simply decline with age. It responds to how we use it. When we consistently challenge both the body and the brain—even in small ways—we give ourselves a much better chance of staying strong, steady, and sharp over time.

Have a Wonderful Weekend!

Kristen Nielsen

Blueberry Walnut Brain Bowl

Here is a brain-friendly snack!

Ingredients (Serves 1)

• ½ cup oats (or Greek yogurt if you prefer)
• ½ cup blueberries (fresh or frozen)
• 2 tbsp walnuts
• 1 tbsp chia seeds or flaxseeds
• ½ cup milk (or water for oats)
• Optional: drizzle of honey or cinnamon

Instructions

1. Cook oats with milk or water (or use yogurt as your base).
2. Top with blueberries, walnuts, and seeds.
3. Add a little honey or cinnamon if desired.

Why This Is “Brain Friendly” 

• Blueberries → linked to improved memory and cognitive function in multiple studies
• Walnuts → contain omega-3 fats that support brain health
• Oats → provide steady energy (helps avoid mental crashes)
• Seeds → add healthy fats and nutrients that support brain function

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