Our brain keeps developing - helps to fight dementia

In the March issue of today's geriatric medicine Katherine O’Brien PhD and Rosco Nicholson MA discuss the topic Lifestyle Influences Brain Health.

http://www.todaysgeriatricmedicine.com/archive/0315p18.shtml

They cite 5 million Americans over the ages 65 suffer from Alzheimer's disease. What stuck up for me that means 1 in 8.5 have this disorder. In every five years after the age of 65 the number doubles. With these kind numbers it is easy to see why baby boomers are trying to figure out how to avoid Alzheimer's or slow it down.

I think it is important to note that we are aging and to not live in some kind of denial. One of the things that occurs with Alzheimer's is that it affects judgment and critical thinking of self-awareness. This is why it's so important to have support from family or close friends who have your interest and care about you.

For years we were taught that our brains are given at birth and the cells last for a lifetime. New research indicates for example “that exercise can increase the level of the brain-Derived neurotrophic factor, a hormone that promotes growth of new brain cells.” “Our brains develop new neurons at any age. Researchers now believe that the brain changes throughout life, growing new cells and altering neutral structures in response to certain environmental input.”

I have known for a while that our brain makes new connections all the time. I have read research that shows the ability to learn and make new memories the brain is constantly we organizing and connecting in new ways. Years ago and I read where walking and exercising improves our brain function better than games and crossword puzzles. When you walk your breathing changes and you're the blood flows a little faster giving oxygen throughout your body from head to toe. Notice your feet after a walk, your circulation has improved. That works at the in the body your head, The blood flow to your brain has improved. 

When I had teninitis exercise increase the blood flow to the small arteries around my ear and in a few months the crickets I was hearing when away. Exercise is a good way to improve our vascular health. If we pick up the habbit of walking every day we can help clean up arteries.

Back to the article they bring up the topic of cognitive reserve and it has been discovered in autopsies there are people who show advance stages of Alzheimer disease yet they did not show any of the symptoms of the disease. Researchers have speculated is the delay of the appearances symptoms based on the ability of people who have a higher education or the ability to use your leisure time more efficiently to develop cognitive networks.

The focus turn to four lifestyle pursuits that may help the brain deal with the onset of Alzheimer's disease. Increase activity, eat healthy foods, maintain social and cognitive engagement, and reduce stress.

The take away for me in the article is in my older experience in my including physical exercise, a healthy diet. Am I still engaged in life to continue learning and being involved with others. The article brushes by my spiritual life, but that is part of it too. One more thing the researchers pointed out for us be aware of online games to help memory for money. Their claims may be overstated. We are scared of losing our marbles and that fear is used buy some to make money. The games may have some benefit but at least be aware of the con possibility. When it comes to healthcare it is good to weigh the claims and the cost of things. You are in charge of your health decisions. A lot of things medically that can help us but if it's too good to be true it may be misleading.

Exercise, healthy diet, keep working on your friends and family, an work on your mental health and spiritual life are all low cost investments. It is scary do help our parents or loved ones as they age. I think it is cool that we can do things to give us an edge. Keep walking