How to train your brain

 We all know what we should do to increase physical fitness. But how can we increase the fitness of our brains? While taking your mind for a jog isn't an option, giving it regular exercise is. The concept of training your brain is gaining credibility, and now it's become the computer games industry's latest big idea, with four new games just out to help people to flex their mental muscles.

Whether you choose to try to reduce the age of your brain to 20 (purported to be the ideal brain age in Nintendo's How Old is Your Brain?), or make your brain bigger by using another Nintendo game, Big Brain Academy, or improve your "Practical Intelligence Quotient" and post your score with the help of a Sony games title, there's no shortage of new ways to train your brain.

1) What is brain training?

Recent research suggests that everything from absentmindedness to arithmetic skills can be improved by playing certain intelligence and memory-stimulating activities. Scientists and neuro-experts believe puzzles that rely on problem-solving, memory and logical deduction can be highly beneficial for the brain by making people approach tasks in a more flexible way. A widely held belief used to be that the brain only lost cells as it got older. Now it's known that people can acquire new brain cells throughout their lives, provided their brains are stimulated.

According to the Society for Neuroscience, remembering lists of facts or keeping day-to-day information in your mind is different from memorising things in the long term. To do this, you have to exercise your brain. One way is to play a dedicated computer game such as Nintendo's How Old is Your Brain? or Big Brain Academy. Typical tasks in How Old is Your Brain? could be counting the syllables in a sentence to completing 20 simple sums as quickly as possible.

2) How does it work?

Dr Ryuta Kawashima, the neuroscientist who is behind the Brain Trainer device (which is like a large calculator but with simple graphics and sound) and the Nintendo Dual Screen (DS) title Brain Training: How Old is your Brain? explains how it all works. "Simple mathematical calculations and saying answers out loud activates the brain, particularly the prefrontal cortex which governs the most essential living functions for humans, such as cognition, emotion and memory, and enables the maintenance and improvement of brain functions."

Nintendo's DS handheld games console has one screen that's touch sensitive and is "drawn" or written on using a stylus, and another that displays information and instructions. Users hold the device like an open book. Like Dr Ryuta Kawashima, Dr Sarah-Jayne Blakemore, a cognitive neuroscientist and author of The Learning Brain, thinks that this really will help to make your brain more active.

"When you're stimulating your brain, it is more active and can even grow brain cell connections. If you teach people to play the piano, the part of the brain that controls finger movements increases and is more active. That's the idea behind brain training."

3) Why now?

Dr Blakemore says there are two reasons for the interest in brain training. "People are living longer, so they are noticing that their memories are going sooner, or they're aware of it over a longer period. They care about that because there's more awareness of about brain health. There's also scientific evidence showing that training your brain improves it."

4) What do the experts say?

Specialists agree that exercising your brain is a good thing. Dr Kawashima says: "If you don't use your brain, it will age quickly. You'll have a brain with less power than the ideal brain age of 20. But you can train your brain just like your body."

Psychologist Professor Walter Furneaux agrees that this kind of mental stimulation is valuable. "It's true to say that almost any mental rehearsal can be useful to improve memory [and mental agility]. While I don't know of any specific results about these games, it would be interesting to do some serious work on them."

Dr Marshall D Voris conducted a study using the brain-training exercises available at www.mybraintrainer.com, a website that offers daily challenges to keep the minds of its online users alert. He claims that "the MyBrainTrainer.com exercises increased IQ, reduces anxiety, and improves cognitive efficiency and speed".

5) Who should do it?

It's said that doing puzzles can slow the onset and progression of Alzheimer's disease and improve mental capacity in the young. According to a study into the effects of Alzheimer's by the Case Western Reserve University in the United States, middle-aged people who kept active, mentally or physically, were less likely to develop the disease in later life. Activities such as gardening, playing a musical instrument or exercising were found to be the most successful in helping to prevent the disease.

6) How do I train my brain?

Dr Blakemore cautions there's only so much any exercise can do. "If you play the Nintendo game or solve crossword puzzles you become better at those tests but you're not suddenly going to become a brilliant cook or something. It's very specific."

So you may be able to boost your IQ by a point, but the great novel may take a little more time.

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Brain Cells Gone,

People who have lost a few cells in the "hippocampus" in the brain are more likely to develop pain memories, the scientists said in the journal "American Academy of Neurology."
    
Dr. Wouter J.P. Henneman, from Vu University Medical Center in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, and colleagues used MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) to measure the volume of whole brain, and the "hippocampus" in 64 patients with Alzheimer's at the beginning of their studies and once again an average of 18 months later in order to take into account number of brain shrinkage.
    
Study participants included 44 people with mild cognitive disorder (MCI) and 34 patients who did not have impaired memory or thought power, becoming a "controller".
    
During the study, the team found three "controllers" and 23 people with MCI have been stricken with Alzheimer's disease, and groups of "control" by volume "hippocampus" is smaller and the larger the depreciation rate facing the possibility of 3 to 4 times more likely to develop Alzheimer's compared with volume "hippocampus" the larger and slower depreciation rate.
    
"These findings seem to reflect that at the stage of mild cognitive disorder, a striking atrophy is already occurring in the 'hippocampus'," said study author Henneman. "In people who are stricken with Alzheimer's disease, nerve cell loss is more scattered throughout the brain."
    
"The pace of regional atrophy 'hippocampus' is the most powerful indicator of the development of Alzheimer's disease," researchers concluded that studies

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Preventing Senility Through Card Games

middle-aged women were playing cards bridge in a room. Judging from their ages, this game was not just a hobby.

It contains also the values ​​of outlook on life, everyday pleasures and challenges. A communal container sharpen the brain, so that things do not suddenly become dark.

"We're playing this because it is ingrained," said Ruth Cummins (92), one of the players, as he poured a little Red Bull energy drinks in the middle of the game at that time. "This is what is keeping us survive. The place where our closest friends there," added Georgia Scott (99), female fans of any other bridge.

On the table this bridges mencenangkan thing happened. The elderly are usually identical with dementia would be able to do the opposite. Being able to remember the cards even perform calculations difficult. Type of card game involving four players each pair gives a great advantage for those who can remember it well.

Forget the card, then left. Obviously this can have a negative impact on the team and unfortunately, also the social connection with their partner. "As our partner began to fall, you tend not to believe it," said Julie Davis (89), women who regularly play bridge in Laguna Woods, a community of 20,000 pensioners in south Los Angeles, United States,

So far, scientists have found little evidence that diet or exercise the mind can affect your risk of dementia at the age of more than 90 years. They also argue, of spending time by sharpening the mind by doing crossword puzzles and reading the book to delay the arrival of senile symptoms.

And, social connections, including interactions with friends, can become very important. If isolated, the healthy human mind can quickly be lost and can experience disorientation. It is also recognized a number of psychologists.

There is little evidence that leads to the conclusion that the more people you can contact, at home or outside, the better you are mentally and psychologically. "Interacting with people regularly, it is even stranger, can stimulate the brain power as well as doing a puzzle," said Dr. Claudia Kawas, a neurologist at the University of California, United States, reports the International Herald Tribune.

Club super memory

In recent years, people like Mrs. Scott and Cummins caught the attention of scientists. They are a fraction of the 200 people who still can survive until the age of 90 years without signs of dementia or a decline in memory function.

They are called Super Memory Club group, which allows the perpetrator can still remember the memories of the past clearly. They are a great achievement in the history of human life. Super Memory Club phenomenon has been described could help researchers unravel what exactly is the essence that can be taken to make the mental acuity to survive until the end of the age.

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Milk Anti senile like What

Success with various types of food products and soft drinks, is now trying to penetrate the market Garudafood drink fresh milk in Indonesia. Located in the parking Mall Olympic Garden (Mog), for the first in Indonesia, they launched the milk ready to drink (RTD) with Clevo brand.

"The need for milk in Indonesia is quite large, especially for school age children. Moreover, the level of private consumption is still very small, an average of 9 liters / capita / year, "said Philip Nugroho, Brand Manager Clevo.

Nugroho explains, in the early stages, producing 70,000 new Garudafood box for the first three months. Fresh milk is packaged in 125 ml size is made in the area Sekartanjung Pasuruan working with a local cooperative.

Is possible, if the good market acceptance, will build a factory in Malang. "There are some parties who offer it to us. We see the potential here is huge, "he said.

According to the Group's corporate secretary Prasetyo Garudafood Rahardjo, in the first year it targets able to achieve 4 percent of the remaining 70 percent of the market. Seeing a new competitor controls 20-30 percent of the market, he believes that the target can be realized.

Public Relations Manager Garudafood Effi Harfiana explain, Clevo taken from the word clever (clever), it set a target able to master segment 6-11 years of age. With unique packaging that has been made, he is optimistic the students will be captivated.

"Actually this is not only nutritious milk to children, but also for parents. For children, this milk can make them more intelligent to develop his talent because it contains choline. As for parents, with a drink three times a day may reduce dementia, "the Regional Head of East Java 2 Arie Soebianto promote.

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Prevent senile with Fish

Along with age, in general there is also decline in organ function and physical changes. The problem that also comes in old age is the decline in cognitive abilities with symptoms of forgetfulness, and if it causes severe dementia.

Nutritional factor turned out to hold an important role in preventing cognitive decline in senior citizens. One food that is recommended for the elderly is the consumption of fish. Research shows, grandparents from developing countries who regularly eat fish have a risk of dementia (senility) is smaller.

The study was conducted on 1,500 seniors in China, India, and one Latin American country. Those who initially do not ever eat fish, then began to eat fish several days a week, until finally eat fish every day, the prevalence of dementia was reduced by 19 percent.

A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition is not just show a simple relation between fish consumption and dementia. It is known that the elderly who often eat meat have a higher prevalence of dementia than those who never eat meat.

Because the study was conducted using a one-time survey, most experts say these studies do not indicate causality.

"In fact, additional evidence can be obtained from further studies that are follow-up regularly to see the link between fish consumption and reduced risk of dementia," said Dr Emiliano Albanese, from King's College London, UK.

If the fish does protect the brain from the aging process, experts believe that the benefits derived from saturated fat content of omega-3 oils found in many fish, like salmon, mackerel or albacore tuna.

Research in the laboratory showed that omega-3 have content that may prevent dementia, such as protecting nerve cells, reduce inflammation, and helps prevent the formation of amyloid proteins are often found in the brains of Alzheimer patients.

This latest research results obtained from a study of 14,960 elderly aged 65 years and over who live in China, India, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Peru, and Venezuela. The relationship between dementia and decline in fish consumption are consistently found in respondents from various countries, except India.

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Brush Teeth Can Prevent senile

Many of the benefits we derive from the habit of maintaining healthy teeth and mouth, one of which is to keep the memory remains sharp. According to recent studies published in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Pscychiatry.

According to experts, the pathogen causes dental disorder called Porphyromonas gingivalis in large quantities in the mouth, especially in elderly people can cause memory disorders. These pathogens can be removed if we are diligent brushing teeth twice a day and regular teeth checked by a doctor.

Dr. James M. Noble of Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, U.S., said people with Porhyromonas gingivalis pathogen is known to crash quite a lot in remembering the letters or numbers in the test memory skills.

In his study, Noble and his team have tested 2300 men and women aged 60 years or older who examined her teeth health and participated in various tests of memory ability in the National Health and Nutrition Survey III Examiniation conducted between 1991 and 1994.

In general, 5.7 percent of the elderly have difficulty in memory tests and 6.5 percent failed the test addition and subtraction. The respondents who have the highest pathogen levels (more than 119 units) of the most widely known to fail in the test.

Previously, scientists have linked the condition of teeth with various diseases, such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and Alzheimer's. Gum disease also affects the brain's ability to remember.

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Tip for Brains Stay Sharp Until Dark

Upon entering the 30s, the ability to think someone could have started to decline. Even at the age of 60's, aging nerve cells in the brain can not be avoided, so that often lead to senility or dementia.

Although this aging process is unavoidable, but there are efforts made so that dementia can be avoided or at least postponed. According to experts, dementia can be avoided with healthy lifestyle and get used to conduct cognitive stimulation for brain cells are constantly active. That way, the nerve cells will continue to produce the required brain neurotransmitter substances.

Well .. so that your brain's ability maintained until old age. There is a good idea to do some activity below, adjusted for age.

30s:

Flossing every day:
Habits like candy and forget about flossing nothing in common. Both contributed to cause plaque on the teeth, and also turned out very bad on your brain.

"Plaque between teeth can cause an immune reaction that can attack the arteries, so no one can send the nutrients that are vital to brain cells," says Michael Roizen, MD, author of YOU-The Owner's Manual: An Insider's Guide to the Body That Will Make You Healthier and Younger. Then what is the solution? Make flossing every day when starting the activity in the morning.


Eating fish:
Look to the sea to provide "feed" your brain to eat. DHA, a type of omega-3 fatty acids found in salmon, trout, and some fortified foods, like yogurt can improve your memory.

"DHA reduce inflammation of the arteries and increase repair protective coating around the nerves," said Dr. Roizen. "As a result, related to age, reduced memory impairment, reduced Alzheimer's disease, depression, and thoughts more quickly."
    
Age 40s

Steal Little toys:
There is a new version of the Rubik's Cube you ever loved as a child. Three-dimensional shape such as 360 degrees and this is very good for the brain at each age, as it can sharpen the ability to solve problems, says psychologist nerve, Karen Spangenberg Postal, PhD, who is also president of the Massachusetts Psychological Association.

The key: When you play, you work with memory, spatial skills and strategies needed to improve brain health. What if you are frustrated playing Cube? Do not worry: every game that demands you think would be helpful.

A time to exercise:
Paculah your heart rate three times a week for 20 minutes. Even just by walking, will supply your brain with oxygen and help grow new cells.

"Aerobic exercise two to three times as effective as brain exercise activity," said Sam Wang, Ph.D., professor of neuroscience at Princeton University and author of Welcome to Your Brain: Why You Lose Your Car Keys but Never Forget How to Drive and Other Puzzles of Everyday Life.

No problem if you do not have time to go to the gym on weekends.
Recent research shows, despite moderate to heavy exercise
only once a week (eg jogging on weekends) can make
you 30 percent to maintain your cognitive functions, such as your age.

Begin bridge club:
If you are bored with the book club and tired by the evening party, bridge card game faster is recommended by doctors. A combination of strategies and memory on the bridge to challenge the brain to learn new information and training so that cells do not die, said Dr. Postal. Socialize while playing cards also provide refreshment for the brain, which can not be offered on a solo game.

Age 50s to top

Use chopsticks
Research shows that by involving nerve cells at the tip of the finger directly stimulate your brain, "said Maoshing Ni, PhD, author of Second Spring: Dr. Mao's Hundreds of Natural Secrets for Women to Revitalize and Regenerate at Any Age.

Using chopsticks, knitting, or playing with a pen or pencil between your fingers, can help the brain by improving blood circulation.

Playing video games
You do not have to feel too old to play Wii or other games that train the brain. "When there is something new in the video game, you'll stimulate different parts of the brain that normally you do not use from day to day," says Reon Baird, PhD, a psychologist nerve from Long Beach Memorial Medical Center.

Be careful with drugs
Be careful using sleeping pills or pain relievers. Research in the Clinical Interventions in Aging shows drugs without a prescription can cause "cognitive impairment" as confusion in middle-aged people. Drugs known as diphenhydramine (found in many allergy medications and pain relievers at night) has the effect of "anticholinergic", which blocks the connection between nerve cells.

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