Skirt Alzheimer’s

Cut the risk of dementia in half with exercise

RealAge reports moderately intense exercise twice a week for 20 to 30 minutes has been shown to cut Alzheimer’s disease by as much as 60%. Blood vessel health and the brain’s ability to repair damage are the suspected benefits. The Brain Pills article is also of interest.

See Ways to Prevent Dementia

How Eye Exams Keep Your Brain Young

Am I seeing this right? My eye health offers protection against dementia? According to RealAge, people with untreated vision problems were nine (9) times more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease. That’s because poor vision keeps people from engaging in brain stimulating activities – like reading this blog, playing games, walking and socializing. Talking about walking, read the ‘Walk on the Cerebral Side’ article when you get back from your hike.

Ode to Forgetfulness (video)

Listen, do you want to know a secret… about aging (song)

Mack Dryden sings a fun song about mental decline. This video is real fun for those of us becoming forgetful. Let’s laugh before full dementia sets in. Follow wellness practices on this blog and you will postpone, or reduce premature mental aging. Who needs it? Visit Mack on his website for more humor.

Jump Start Your Brain

Ten techniques to keep your aging brain fit

Ken Currier’s writing for Stuff Your Brain Likes website, has briefly outlined what we can do to keep our brain vibrant throughout life. His article is a good reminder of brain plasticity – its remarkable ability to refresh itself throughout life, given well chosen exercise and nutrition.

Note: The Health Care-toon shown above is taken from the Health Care-toon Calendar, 365 Ways to Look and Feel Great by cartoonist Ed Fischer and Jeff Haebig. Visit WellnessQuest.com for a daily Health Cartoon and related wellness ideas.

Aging -- Fit Body, Fit Mind

Workouts help preserve mental fitness through aging

An interesting article by Christopher Hertzog and team featured in Scientific American supports physical fitness as a hedge against age-related dementia. One study cited showed how the most physically active women had a 30% lower risk of cognitive decline. In this study walking distance was related to cognition, but walking speed was not. Jennifer Weuve’s research team at Harvard University found a significant relation between energy expended in physical activity and cognition. Other interesting research is cited related to the body’s impact on the brain, giving elders an effective way to stay mentally sharp.

Problems Being Overweight and Obese

Serious health problems need to be addressed

Everyday Health website cites reasons why being overweight (more than half of our population) and being obese (up to 26%) presents serious health risks, including various cancers, arthritis, high blood pressure, heart and artery disease, stroke, type-2 diabetes, anxiety, depression, sleep apnea, joint deterioration, and many more diseases, many of which lead to premature death. Helpful weight related information is shown. Body-brain Boogie Blog will soon present more comprehensive ways to lose weight through exercise… a topic that was treated lightly.

Socialize to Prevent Dementia

Be socially active and not easily stressed to prevent dementia

Newswise cites a new study reported in the January 20, 2009 issue of Neurology showing that people who are socially active and not easily stressed may be less likely to develop dementia.