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Research on Memory and Brain Building
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Clinical research has consistently shown that keeping mentally active can help to stave off the effects of cognitive decline.
Participating in challenging tasks such as reading and playing games on a daily basis can help with prevent the memory loss associated with
dementia, including Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers at Chicago’s Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center studied 801 Catholic nuns and priests over 65 looking at the association between Alzheimer's
and cognitively stimulating activities. The researchers observed that people who participated most often in mentally challenging activities
had a 47% lower risk of developing Alzheimer's. Those who participated in a moderate amount had a 28% lower risk.
In another study, researchers discovered that the odds of developing Alzheimer's were nearly quadrupled in people who were less active during their
leisure time between the ages of 20 and 60 compared with their peers. This was true regardless of the type of activity, although spending time in
intellectual pursuits appeared to be the most beneficial.
Researchers at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles studied the effect of leisure activities on the risk of Alzheimer's.
They asked 107 same-sex twins about three different types of leisure activities;
- Physical activities like sports, working out in a gym, biking, gardening, ice skating, walking, and jogging.
- Intellectual activities like reading, doing puzzles, playing a musical instrument, painting, woodworking, playing cards or board games,
and performing home repairs.
- Passive activities like watching television, listening to music, attending social clubs, talking on the phone, visiting with friends and
attending religious services.
Investigators took into account factors that influence the risk of Alzheimer's, including age, sex, education, and socioeconomic status and found that
people who participated in fewer activities than the average were 3.85 times more likely to develop Alzheimer's. Those who partook in the most
intellectually stimulating activities had the lowest risk.
These findings are best explained by the cognitive reserve hypothesis, which proposes that both increased brain volume and enhanced cognitive
ability may contribute to healthy brain aging, reducing the likelihood of developing Alzheimer's and other dementias.
Other research has suggested that new cells can generate in the brain, and learning stimulates their growth.
The adage "use it or lose it" may apply to your brain as well as your body, brain experts say.
Given the state of the research, doctors who study Alzheimer's disease say people worried about their memories should eat right,
exercise, and have fun using their brains with programs like
Brain Builder® Memory Software and other types of mental calisthenics.
For more information about memory and brain building products, choose from the resources below.
$19.95
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Hemi-Sync Remembrance CD.
Focus and improve brain power and clarity with powerful Hemi-Sync and music designed for quantum learning, peak performance and creative flow.
Remembrance is perfect for any mental task requiring focus and concentration and may be helpful for ADD/ADHD, dyslexia and other learning
challenges. Play in the background or use with headphones to enhance mental capabilities while stimulating creativity.
Learn more about Hemi-Sync Remembrance CD
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$19.95
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Hemi-Sync Concentration CD.
This powerful Hemi-Sync CD is perfect for any mental task requiring focus and concentration. It can be used at home, work or school while studying. It's designed to help you reach your peak performance when doing tasks that
take brain power. Play in the background or use with headphones to enhance mental capabilities while stimulating creativity and imagination.
focus.
Learn more about the Hemi-Sync Concentration CD
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$19.95
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Hemi-Sync Indigo for Quantum Focus CD.
Develop mental states of peak performancewith Hemi-Sync concentration frequencies for super-learning.
Ethereal sounds and Hemi-Sync gently guide you to a divine state of consciousness as you reconnect with the Source, finding comfort and peace
in the beauty of oneness. Use The Return for deeper, more profound meditation; for crossing over into the sleep state; or for energy healing work.
Learn more about Hemi-Sync Indigo for Quantum Focus CD
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Koepsell TD, Kurland BF, Harel O, Johnson EA, Zhou XH, Kukull WA. Education, cognitive function, and severity of neuropathology in Alzheimer
disease. Neurology 2007 Dec 26. [Epub ahead of print].
Friedland RP, Fritsch T, Smyth KA, Koss E, Lerner AJ, Chen CH, Petot GJ, Debanne SM. Patients with Alzheimer's disease have reduced activities
in midlife compared with healthy control-group members. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 2001;98(6): 3440-5.
Wilson RS, Mendes de Leon CF, Barnes LL, Schneider JA, Bienias JL, Evans DA, Bennett DA. Participation in cognitively stimulating activities and risk
of incident Alzheimer's disease. JAMA 2002;287(6): 742-8.
Randi Fredricks has a Doctorate in Naturopathy and a Masters in Psychology.
She runs her own natural health business, counsels clients at Recovery Connections in San Jose, California and does long distance
phone consultations. Visit her website at
www.randifredricks.com or
contact her online.
This article is from Randi Fredricks' book
Healing & Wholeness: Complementary and Alternative Therapies for
Mental Health. Copyright © 2008. All rights reserved.
No part of this article or website may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information
storage and retrieval systems.
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Thursday, November 20, 2008
