Worried about fading brain power? If youre older than 27, you have good reason. Thats the age when cognitive skills start to decline, according to University of Virginia research. But while some changes in thinking and memory are inevitable as we age, the good news is that lifestyle seems to be able to blunt those effects -- and keep many minds working sharply well into old age. Thats reassuring, given headlines from the Alzheimers Associations annual report showing that every 68 seconds, someone in the U.S. develops Alzheimers (the most common form of dementia). Debilitating memory loss doesnt happen to everyone, though. Learn what you can do to preserve yours. Memory Booster #1. Take the stairs Exercise benefits your head as much as the rest of your body, a growing number of studies indicate. Overall cardiorespiratory fitness also lowers the risk of obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular problems -- all known risk factors for Alzheimers disease. Theories on why thats so range from improved blood flow to the brain to less brain shrinkage. Experts recommend making regular aerobic workouts part of your routine. Failing that, it appears that even small efforts add up. So avoid elevators. Park at the far end of the parking lot. Start by walking around your block in the evenings, and add a few minutes more each day.
Posted on: Wed, 07 May 2014 21:23:01 +0000
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