The basic neural building blocks become less readily available and are less efficiently utilized as the brain ages. One reason this occurs is because the same age-related changes to the vascular system that diminish heart function can also negatively affect the blood supply to the brain. In fact, many other factors involved in mental decline reflect undesirable changes in the body at large. It would seem that a healthy body really does help lead to a healthy mind. Although the causes of mental decline are diverse, a few basic changes are common to most forms of deterioration that specifically affect the brain. Reduced synthesis of necessary neurotransmitters, decreased circulation, and diminished cellular efficiency are all the enemies of sound memory and mental clarity. Perhaps surprisingly, phospholipids influence all of these areas critical to brain health.*