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Even modest amounts of physical activity may slow Alzheimer's disease among at-risk older adults
Increasing your steps by even a little bit may help slow down the progression of Alzheimer's disease among people at heightened risk, according to a new study. In a paper published in Nature Medicine , Mass General Brigham researchers found that physical activity was associated with slower rates of cognitive decline in older adults with elevated levels of amyloid-beta, a protein associated with Alzheimer's. Cognitive decline was delayed by three years on average for people wh
Mass General Brigham


Love dissecting your dreams? Here's why our brains create stories in our sleep.
You're back in school and suddenly have to take a test, despite not having been present to learn any of the material. Your teeth are suddenly falling out. You run into an acquaintance you haven't seen in 20 years. You're suddenly falling from a high distance, or maybe even flying. Dreams are a concept that humans have been fascinated with deciphering for thousands of years. Experts are still working on determining exactly what causes them, but they have posited a number of th
Hannah Yasharoff


Quitting smoking may be good for your brain, even if you stop later in life
A new study suggests that quitting smoking – even in middle age or beyond – can slow cognitive decline. While cognitive decline naturally occurs with aging, research suggests that smoking exacerbates it and may increase the risk of dementia. Previous research found that quitting smoking early in life may reduce these effects. Mikaela Bloomberg, an epidemiologist at the University College London and the lead author on the paper published this week, says those who break the hab
Aru Nair , Regina G. Barber


How to Overcome Food Addiction
The effects of certain foods on the brain make it hard for some people to avoid them. Food addiction operates similarly to other addictions. People may find it difficult to manage their cravings for certain foods — no matter how hard they try. Despite not wanting to, they may repeatedly find themselves eating large amounts of food — knowing that doing so may cause harm. This article examines food addiction and provides tips to overcome it. What is food addiction? Food addicti
Kris Gunnars, BSc


Health Benefits of Napping
A Nap a Day? Napping isn’t just for babies. Studies show that an afternoon nap is great for adults, too. There’s no need to feel lazy for indulging in daytime sleep. A short nap in the mid-afternoon can boost memory, improve job performance, lift your mood, make you more alert, and ease stress. Cozy up to these nap benefits. It Can Improve Your Memory Studies have shown that sleep plays an important role in storing memories. A nap can help you remember things learned earlier
Alison Sherwood


14 Natural Ways to Improve Your Memory
1. Eat less added sugar A 2021 review of studies found that a diet high in saturated fat and added sugar may impair the function of the...
Jillian Kubala, MS, RD


22 Brain Exercises That Keep Kids, Adults, and Older Adults Mentally Sharp
Brain-training exercises can improve your cognitive skills, including working memory, verbal memory, and global functioning. Challenging...
Sarah Bence, OTR/L


Slideshow: Insomnia Myths and Facts
A Drink Will Help You Sleep Myth. Insomnia -- chronic trouble getting to sleep or staying asleep -- can leave you desperate for a good...
Poonam Sachdev


Stress Relief Techniques: Simple Practices for Everyday Calm
As we age, managing stress becomes increasingly important for maintaining overall health and wellbeing. Chronic stress can take a toll on...
SilverSneakers


Cholesterol and Brain Function: What's the Link?
Cholesterol is a type of fat that is essential for many functions in the body, including the brain. The relationship between cholesterol...
Shanika Wigley


5 Ways Walking Can Boost Your Brain Health
In early 2020, COVID-19 brought an end to my workouts at the gym. I was self-employed and recently widowed, and my new normal felt like...
Martha Murphy, AARP


These 6 Artificial Sweeteners May Be Linked to Cognitive Decline, New Study Finds
Artificial sweeteners have long been marketed as a healthier alternative to sugar, but new research suggests they may not be so harmless...
Natalie Rizzo, RD


How to Learn Something New Every Day (and Why It Matters)
Learning doesn’t stop when we leave school — nor should it. In fact, adopting a student mindset throughout life can offer big rewards,...
Jessica Migala


Can Doing Crosswords, Puzzles, and Other Games Really Help You Stay Sharp?
“Brain games” have become a popular way to stay sharp as you age. Whether it’s a daily crossword, a book of Sudoku puzzles, or a virtual...
Jenna Anderson


Stroke: What You Need to Know
What Is a Stroke? A stroke is a medical emergency. It happens when a blood vessel in the brain bursts or, more commonly, when a blockage...
Zilpah Sheikh, MD


How To Prevent Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
Hypertension (high blood pressure) occurs when the blood pressure against your arteries is regularly too high, above 130/80 millimeters...
Angela Ryan Lee, MD


What Is Cortisol And How To Lower It
The reality of life is that everyone deals with stress at some point. You may experience brief moments of high stress like when you are...
mutualofomaha.com


Are Blueberries Really the Best Brain Food?
Whether you stir them into yogurt, sprinkle them on cereal or just pop them in your mouth one by one, blueberries are a tasty fruit with...
Kristen Fischer


4 Fixes for Brain Fog
“Brain fog” may not be an official medical diagnosis, but it’s well known to many older adults. Much like literal fog, brain fog is hard...
Elizabeth Millard


Sociologist's Simple Morning Rule To Improve Her Brain Health Goes Viral
Be honest, how often do you wake up and look at your phone first thing in the morning? It's become the norm to wake up and start the day...
Alyce Collins
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