Wednesday, February 22, 2006

HEALTHY BRAIN

Preventive Maintenance For the Brain
By Alicia Ault

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/02/20/AR2006022001001.html

"If it seems you're forgetting more as you grow older, you are. Like most other organs in the body, the brain gets smaller as we age, leading to a decline in memory, decision-making ability and verbal skills......
Just last week a massive review of the scientific data, published online, found that getting lots of physical activity and reducing your risk of heart disease -- by cutting cholesterol and blood pressure levels, for example, or losing weight -- are among the best ways to maintain a healthy brain. The study, funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), also found that increased mental activity throughout life appears to preserve brainpower......
Other factors may also affect brain integrity, including diet (for brain health, nutritionists suggest a diet low in saturated fats and rich in vegetables, fruit and fish with omega-3 fatty acids), social life (an active one is thought to improve immunity and reduce inflammation, believed to play a role in Alzheimer's) and health problems like diabetes and heart disease......."

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