Evidence has been building for years that air pollution increases the risk of heart and respiratory diseases and reduces lifespan, but much less is known about how it impacts the brain. That’s changing. Now, two new studies reveal deeply troubling evidence of the effects of air pollution on the brain. Not only does air pollution [...]
Numerous studies show that so-called “brain games” may help people fight off dementia by improving cognitive function, and maintaining overall brain health. One review published in the journal International Psychogeriatrics in 2016, shows that mentally stimulating leisure activities can help sharpen thinking skills that tend to wane with age.1 Creative outlets like learning a new [...]
Here’s some positive news you can raise a toast to during this chilly winter season. According to new research, drinking hot chocolate may help make you become a smarter and faster thinker—whether you’re experiencing cognitive decline or not. The benefits boil down to the flavanols that dwell in each yummy cup of cocoa. Cocoa flavanols [...]
It's quite normal to feel anxious before "going under the knife." Surgery, especially major surgery, is daunting for anyone at any age. But even if all goes well and you’re expected to make a full physical recovery, there's one problem that can present itself after surgery, particularly in older folks. I’m talking about post-operative delirium. [...]
The market for energy drinks has exploded in the last decade. Promoted by sports stars, these drinks are said to not merely boost energy, but improve physical function and supply mental focus, too. The leading brand may even "give you wings," their marketing tells us. Whether these caffeinated beverages do any of these things is [...]
One neurologist -- renowned for helping people with dementia and other neurological disorders -- says restoring the gut is the key to restoring memory. David Perlmutter, M.D. is well known to most of our readers, so I sit up and take notice when he says dementia patients need more than probiotics to restore a healthy [...]
For many people, tinnitus is a disturbing ringing sound, while for others it’s a buzzing, hissing, chirping or even roaring in the ears.1 Not surprisingly, many tinnitus sufferers also find it hard to focus and experience fatigue and anxiety as well. Psychological interventions may lessen the distress of tinnitus, but unfortunately, there’s no drug or [...]
Some say I’m a broken record when it comes to preaching the health benefits of getting outside for a daily walk. Regular exercise is one of the pillars of optimum health, but, until now, I didn't realize how vital the "outside" part of my walk is for protecting my memory against decline. When I looked [...]
Someone just gave you a phone number to remember, and you don’t have a pen with you. What do you do? We all have to remember a thousand different things from passwords to how to navigate our smart phones, but it’s not easy in an age of information overload. We’ve got too many distractions. Luckily, [...]
Scientists have focused on amyloid beta plaques as the primary cause of Alzheimer’s disease for more than 25 years. Readers of this publication know I tossed the theory out a long time ago. For one thing, autopsies reveal that quite a few people who died with dementia don’t have the plaques. In addition, a great [...]
