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Updated 06/25/2012 07:53 AM
Your Health: Boosting brain power
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A recent study shows our brain power can start declining by age 45. One doctor tells us, by age 80 a normal person has lost 40-percent of their memory. But, from your hobbies to keeping your heart healthy, there are many ways to boost your brain power!
Gloria Galvan
Executive Assistant
UTHealth
Gloria.Galvan@uth.tmc.edu
According to Daniel Amen, M.D., author of
Magnificent Mind at Any Age, switching the hand you brush your teeth with, or even jogging backwards help you deviate from daily patterns.
Playing word games like Sudoku, doing a crossword puzzle, or even playing brain games on your gadgets can help keep your mind sharp. Paul Schulz, MD, Director of the Memory Disorders and Dementia Clinic, and Vice Chair of Neurology UTHealth and the Mischer Neuroscience Institute of Memorial Hermann Hospital says focusing on focusing can improve attention span, which in turn, can help with memory problems.
Dr. Paul Schulz says while it's just been discovered in the last few years, vascular problems that put you at risk of stroke and heart attack can also put you at risk for dementia and Alzheimer's. He says controlling cholesterol, blood sugar, blood pressure is very important.
Watch the video above to learn more.