Health News
By Dr. Madelyn Fernstrom
A new movement is afoot, which takes exercise for your brain just as seriously as exercise for your body. So, is this ?mind fitness? craze a passing fad, or a true health benefit? Mounting evidence shows that it can be a big health plus.
While your brain is not a muscle, there is some reasonable evidence that mental exercises can improve some brain functions. Brain games are not currently linked to disease prevention (like Alzheimers), but can be an effective way to boost specific day-to-day notable actions, including increased mental alertness and focus, improved concentration, and a sharper memory.
An update of the old ?brain teasers,? there are some new brain-training games, like Luminosity, Posit Science, and MindSparke, and multiple phone apps for iphones and Androids. It?s a growing segment of the ?educational apps? market, which is now a more than $100 million market!
Like any kind of workout, it must be done daily (or at least multiple times a week) to notice any effect. And while a pre-planned set of games is a plus, these games and apps have a financial commitment. Some economical options include crossword, Sudoku and other puzzles, joining a book club, or even signing up to learn a foreign language. If there?s a Nintendo Wii in your household, consider some of these fun and effective options, including WiiFit. Other game systems have similar brain-stimulating choices.
It?s never too late to engage your brain! Brain games are here to stay ? and mind fitness is an area to explore, if you haven?t already! Any ideas you?d like to share? Post away!
- 'mind Matters' Health Fair In Lexington May 18 Will Focus On Brain And Nutrition; Famous Chef Will Make Free "brain Healthy" Food
Ouita MichelNationally known Bluegrass chef Ouita Michel of Midway, who owns seven Lexington-area eateries, will be cooking up free "brain healthy" food at the seventh annual "Mind Matters" Health Fair Monday, May 18 at the Fayette County Extension Office,...
- Video Systems Like Wii Fit Not Working Against Child Obesity: Study
Video games designed to encourage children to exercise don't do anything to prevent obesity, a study has concluded. It found that children either find a way to trick the games "into thinking they are moving around, or they make up for exercise by...
- Secrets To Controlling Your Weight, Cravings And Mood
NEW BOOK! Secrets to Controlling Your Weight, Cravings and Mood Before my passion for nutrition came along, I had a passion for donuts. I was an athlete and thought I could get away with eating what I wanted, as long as I worked out. NOT TRUE. Even though...
- Cure Emotional Eating
Everyday I see clients dealing with emotional eating, which lead me to write the book Secrets to Controlling Your Weight Cravings and Mood. Anxiety and depression may be the result of shortages of key brain neurotransmitters, one of which is called GABA,...
- Treatment Of Tumors At The Berman Brain & Spine Institute
by James E. Conway, M.D. Director, Cerebrovascular Neurosurgery, and Director, Skull Base Neurosurgery, Sandra and Malcolm Berman Brain & Spine Institute Department of Neurosurgery, Sinai Hospital The recent deaths of columnist Robert Novak and Senator...
Health News
Exercising Your Brain
By Dr. Madelyn Fernstrom
While your brain is not a muscle, there is some reasonable evidence that mental exercises can improve some brain functions. Brain games are not currently linked to disease prevention (like Alzheimers), but can be an effective way to boost specific day-to-day notable actions, including increased mental alertness and focus, improved concentration, and a sharper memory.
An update of the old ?brain teasers,? there are some new brain-training games, like Luminosity, Posit Science, and MindSparke, and multiple phone apps for iphones and Androids. It?s a growing segment of the ?educational apps? market, which is now a more than $100 million market!
Like any kind of workout, it must be done daily (or at least multiple times a week) to notice any effect. And while a pre-planned set of games is a plus, these games and apps have a financial commitment. Some economical options include crossword, Sudoku and other puzzles, joining a book club, or even signing up to learn a foreign language. If there?s a Nintendo Wii in your household, consider some of these fun and effective options, including WiiFit. Other game systems have similar brain-stimulating choices.
It?s never too late to engage your brain! Brain games are here to stay ? and mind fitness is an area to explore, if you haven?t already! Any ideas you?d like to share? Post away!
- 'mind Matters' Health Fair In Lexington May 18 Will Focus On Brain And Nutrition; Famous Chef Will Make Free "brain Healthy" Food
Ouita MichelNationally known Bluegrass chef Ouita Michel of Midway, who owns seven Lexington-area eateries, will be cooking up free "brain healthy" food at the seventh annual "Mind Matters" Health Fair Monday, May 18 at the Fayette County Extension Office,...
- Video Systems Like Wii Fit Not Working Against Child Obesity: Study
Video games designed to encourage children to exercise don't do anything to prevent obesity, a study has concluded. It found that children either find a way to trick the games "into thinking they are moving around, or they make up for exercise by...
- Secrets To Controlling Your Weight, Cravings And Mood
NEW BOOK! Secrets to Controlling Your Weight, Cravings and Mood Before my passion for nutrition came along, I had a passion for donuts. I was an athlete and thought I could get away with eating what I wanted, as long as I worked out. NOT TRUE. Even though...
- Cure Emotional Eating
Everyday I see clients dealing with emotional eating, which lead me to write the book Secrets to Controlling Your Weight Cravings and Mood. Anxiety and depression may be the result of shortages of key brain neurotransmitters, one of which is called GABA,...
- Treatment Of Tumors At The Berman Brain & Spine Institute
by James E. Conway, M.D. Director, Cerebrovascular Neurosurgery, and Director, Skull Base Neurosurgery, Sandra and Malcolm Berman Brain & Spine Institute Department of Neurosurgery, Sinai Hospital The recent deaths of columnist Robert Novak and Senator...