Callaway County

Keeping Your Brain In Good Shape

“Oh, it’s just one of those senior moments” is a comment often heard, especially as we get older.  It is often used to identify moments of confusion or forgetfulness.

These moments occur spontaneously, just like stopping to catch our breath if we exert ourselves more than usual.  Do you remember the last time you, or someone you know, had a “senior moment”?  Are you concerned that this may be happening more often than you might want to admit?

Some recent research dispels some of our previous thoughts on the slowing down of the brain, which results in forgetfulness and possibly dementia.  This research offers hope that something can be done or changed to improve the working of our brains.

The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) has done a lot to bring this matter to our attention.  In the January/ February 2002 issue of AARP’s Modern Maturity magazine, Richard Restak, MD, in his article “All in Your Head” says, “Our brains have an innate capacity for change no matter how old we are,” adding that “the older brain is more resilient than we think.”

This was proven in part through research that compared young and old subjects as they performed memory tasks equally well, even though the brain waves of the older subjects were weaker.  This was explained by the fact that the older brains rerouted some of the messages across underused areas of the brain.

The report also stated that the older brain could partially rebuild itself.  Great progress is being made to understand the workings of our brains, and there is great hope that within the next decade or so, there will be even more progress in new therapies.

So how do we keep our brains in good shape?  Since the brain is a muscle, keep exercising it.  Robert Friedland, MD, of Case Western University in Cleveland, suggests the following:  Learn something new.  Try something different, like painting or sculpting.  Memorize poetry or songs.  Learn to identify as many trees and birds as you can.  Play an instrument or table tennis.  This might be a good time to play the video games you didn’t have time for when you were younger.

Keep your brain healthy by eating wisely and getting a good night’s sleep.  Reduce your stress.  Be aware that a deficiency in either vitamin B-12 or folate can cause forgetfulness.  Vitamin E research has shown promise that it may protect the brain from some effects of aging. 

Source: Elizabeth Reinsch, LCSW/ACSW, Human Development Specialist

“Brainy” Tips

·        Play games that challenge your mind.  Do a crossword puzzle.  Play chess. Engage in word-oriented activities.

·        Visit the hobby or craft section at a bookstore.  You might spark a new interest or remind yourself of something you never had time to pursue.

·        Look for new learning opportunities.  Take a course through a local high school or college.  Volunteer for a position in which you may learn new skills.

·        Create a story of your life.  It can be shared with family members, as well as set you upon an enlightening memory trip.

·        Volunteer. Volunteering allows you to remain socially active as well as share your own unique experiences and knowledge.  Even in their early 80s, 28 percent of people are still doing volunteer work.

Source: Adapted from Work and Family Life newsletter, May 1999, Susan Ginsberg, editor/publisher, New York City, NY by Maudie Kelly, MS, Human Development Specialist

DO YOU REMEMBER THESE?

1. Blackjack chewing gum 2. Wax Coke-shaped bottles with colored sugar water 3. Candy cigarettes 4. Soda pop machines that dispensed bottle 5. Coffee shops with tableside jukeboxes 6. Home milk delivery in glass bottles with cardboard stoppers 7. Party lines 8. Newsreels before the movie 9. P.F. Flyers 10. Butch wax 11. Telephone numbers with a word prefix (Olive - 6933) 12. Peashooters 13. Howdy Doody 14. 45 RPM records 15. S&H Green Stamps 16. Hi-fi's 17. Metal ice trays with lever 18. Mimeograph paper 19. Blue flashbulb 20. Beanie and Cecil 21. Roller skate keys 22. Cork popguns 23. Drive-ins 24. Studebakers 25. Wash tub wringers

Health News About the Blues

  It’s true.  The best gifts do come in small packages.  Who would have thought that something as tiny as a blueberry could offer a powerhouse of health-promoting essentials?  Recent studies are touting blueberries as the king of antioxidants, disease fighters that also help slow down the outward and inward effects of aging.

Anthocyanins, the pigments that make blueberries blue, are thought to be the major contributor to the high antioxidant activity levels observed.  To illustrate their remarkable health potential, Dr. Ronald L. Prior, director of the research, explains that just 1/2 cup of blueberries can provide as much antioxidant power as 5 servings of other nutritious fruits and vegetables--say peas, carrots, apples, squash and broccoli.  “Of course,” he adds, “these foods supply other essential nutrients, so variety is still the key to a healthful diet.” 

Says Dr. Prior, “this research is still in its infancy; the ultimate goal is to see if people are protected from chronic diseases by eating blueberries.  The animal studies that are underway show very promising results.  In the meantime”, says Prior, “I’m eating blueberries every day”.  Stay tuned.

Source: The “Blueberries Cultivated” web page at http://www.cyber-kitchen.com/blueberry/

Return to the Callaway County Extension Center main page
	Callaway County Extension callawayco@missouri.edu Last update: 12/28/11