Give Your Brain A Workout!

By Dr. Alanna Kuhn, ND

According to the Canadian Alzheimer’s Society, 747,000 Canadians were living with some form of cognitive impairment in 2011. That’s nearly 15% of people aged 65 and over. If you know of someone affected by cognitive impairment then you know how devastating it is to the individual, family, and friends. Although there is a genetic link to some forms of dementia, research shows that there are many healthy habits one can adopt to help prevent or delay the onset. This week, in honour of Alzheimer’s disease awareness month, I challenge you to take the road less travelled. Boost the activity of your brain by changing up your regular habits. Try eating with your non-dominant hand or drive a new way to work. The activity choice is yours so long as it is new, is challenging, and is enjoyable. The saying “if you don’t use it, you’ll lose it” directly applies to cognitive ability. A study published in the Archives of Neurology in 2012 found that those who stayed mentally active, especially in early and middle life, had lower levels of the beta-amyloid protein, which plays a major role in the development of plaques in the brain. The challenge is on: stimulate your brain through new and challenging activities!

Originally published on: http://www.kingstonist.com/2014/01/09/give-your-brain-a-workout-25288/