Napping Is Beneficial

Stephanie Pappas cites research indicating napping is associated with better brain and heart health. That said, diagnosed Alzeimer's patients nap more frequently than the undiagnosed, causing some to be wary of napping.

-DD

Excercise and the Brain

Kate Wheeling reports on the benefits of exercise for brain health and thought clarity.

-DD

Gut Bacteria and the Brain

David Kohn writes of the impact of gut bacteria on brain conditions such as autism. Kohn focuses on the work on the research of Sarkis Mazmanian, which indicates that a deficiency in Bacteroides fragilis is observed in children with autism.

-DD

Is Retirement Bad for the Brain?

Cella Wright reviews typical changes in the reaction times of retirees . I wonder if the choice to retire was made because the individual felt they were passing the prime, or whether there is a deleterious effect from retirement.

-DD

Nutrition and Brain Health

Alice Walton reports on a study of nutrition and cognition by Zwilling et al.

-DD

Brain Health With Aging

Jolynn Tumolo reports on research indicating that half of women and a third of men will develop either Parkinson's, dementia, or stroke .

-DD

Reviving the Brain Through Relationship

Brady Wilson in this video discusses how a brain can become tired and depressed, and how to revive a brain by connecting with others.

-DD

Brain Exercises

Erin Brodwin offers exercises for the human brain.

-DD

Trans-Fat and Memory

Michelle Canales reports that a diet rich in trans fats impairs memory . Conversely, Lisa Rapaport notes that a Mediterranean diet seems to result in a healthier brain.

Michelle Canales notes that moderate physical activity is beneficial to brain health, citing a study of 43,368 participants over twelve years, where physical activity reduced the expected rate of Parkinson's by 45%.   Mark McGraw noted that a healthy diet including blueberries seems to treat such neurodegenerative diseases.

Interestingly, consumption of dietary cholesterol is now seen to be less of a health problem than consumption of saturated fat and sodium. Mark McGraw noted in February that the U.S. Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee recommended that restrictions on dietary cholesterol be lifted, and that U.S. citizens should consume more vitamin D, calcium, potassium and fiber.

-DD

 

Dehydration Blurs Thinking

The National Health Service provides convincing arguments for making hydration a priority.

-DD

The Physically Active Have Healthier Brains

Burzynska et. al report that "Physical Activity and Cardiorespiratory Fitness Are Beneficial for White Matter in Low-Fit Older Adults ." Their research shows a correlation between excise throughout the day and brain health. Older adults who had a one-hour exercise session each day had more brain lesions than those who are physically active throughout the day.

Michael Potts provided a summary of this research in his announcement "Sitting Too Long Counteracts Cognitive Benefits of Exercise in Older Adults." This summary suggests to me that sitting may be an occupational hazard to the brains of knowledge workers.

In my own life I have noticed a tendancy to 3 o'clock drowsiness which responds better to a brisk walk than caffeinated beverages. Perhaps my body is trying to encourage me to exercise.... -DD