January 23, 2008, 6:56 AM
Ask Dr. Oz: How Do I Keep My Brain Smart?
It’s never too late to rebuild neurons, so keep your brain healthy the way you keep your body healthy — by working out. Four tips from Dr. Oz to maintain a sharp mind.
By Mehmet Oz
Until just a few years ago, we doctors believed that the brain stopped making new neural connections — meaning that your memory began to get irreversibly worse — when the body stopped developing, usually in your early 20s. And we knew that, like any other body part, neurons weaken as we age. Loss of brain function due to neural breakdown was assumed to be a normal, unavoidable part of aging.
It turns out we were wrong. In the past few years, it has become clear that you can, in fact, make new neurons starting in your 20s and continuing well into old age. You can literally rewire the brain with new parts as the older parts wear out. How? Simple: Keep learning. Just as your body can pack on and condition new muscle, your brain can rebuild used-up neurons.
How strong is the evidence for this? Strong enough that a $200 million industry devoted to brain-boosting software — products like Brain Age, MindFit, and Lumosity that supposedly improve your memory function — has sprung up out of nowhere. The jury is still out on whether these programs actually sharpen the noggin as much as they claim to. But frankly, you don’t need a fancy video game. All “mental fitness” means is keeping your memory intact — everything from phone numbers to how to throw a football. So what can you do to stay smart?
…Exercise your brain.
This is the best way to rebuild and strengthen those precious neurons. Learn to play chess …
Source: Esquire
Chess should be better promoted with so many benefits.
I don’t know about gimmicky brain boosting programs. I know that there was a University of Washington Study that concluded that Baby Einstein videos were of dubious value for your children;that raised the ire of the Disney Company, who makes a lot of money off of them 🙂
But it can’t hurt to play chess, solve chess problems, learn a new language, practice on a musical instrument, learn ballroom dancing, do a crossword puzzle, etc., as these things increase enjoyment. If they also are good for brain health, so much the better.