Strengthen Your Brainpower

Mysteriously, Alzheimer’s disease is affecting 4.5 million Americans today.  Researchers are hard at work finding ways to help those who are suffering as well as find ways to prevent more from joining them.

 A new batch of research sheds light on some simple ways that we can begin protecting our minds today to avoid problems tomorrow.

1. Drink more fruit and vegetable juice.  Those who drink juice at least three times a week had a 75% lower risk of dementia.  75%!
2. Sing as you workout.  It sounds kind of, forgive the pun, off-beat, but singing while working out boosted brain retention for 70% of the participants in a Japanese study.  Exercise sends blood to the brain, improving memory….and singing, perhaps, simply makes the exercise more enjoyable.
3. Floss daily.  There’s a connection between gum disease and Alzheimer’s.  Bacteria from the mouth may cause chronic inflammation, which could impede blood flow to the brain.

When we make our New Year’s Resolutions, we should most definitely list strengthening our ”Mental Fitness” at the top of the page.  Without that, what need would we have for the others on the list?

~Joi