Category Archives: Brain Function

The holiday season has touched down in North America. Canadians just celebrated Thanksgiving—and still might be picking at leftovers—and Americans will follow in a few short weeks. The many will do it all again for Christmas. As countless families are sharing the same meal, even more people will be carving out a corner to take ...click here to read more

Here’s one for the ages: your Thanksgiving food coma might be good for your brain. We’ve all been there, am I right? The second round of turkey, stuffing, and green beans leave you on the ropes before a generous slice of pumpkin pie delivers the knockout punch. Before you know it, you’re down on the ...click here to read more

Patients enrolled in cardiac rehabilitation may experience depression, anxiety, and stress, which may lead them to drop out. This is according to a new study published on World Mental Health Day in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology. Cardiac rehabilitation, also called cardiac rehab, is a medically supervised program designed to improve your cardiovascular health if you have ...click here to read more

Last week, I told you about a report that said you’re not destined for dementia. This week, I can confidently say that by putting your MIND to work, you can lower the chance for Alzheimer’s. The MIND diet was birthed by researchers at Rush University and it’s shown an ability to substantially reduce the risk ...click here to read more

Most people know that high blood pressure can cause many health issues, but what is often overlooked is how low blood pressure can increase the risk of dementia. A decline in brain function is not a normal part of aging, as some may think. Age-related cognitive decline has many causes, and research shows how low ...click here to read more

Things start happening when you get old, right? Maybe there’s a little weight gain, some grey hair, or the occasional “senior moment” memory lapse. But does that mean you’re destined for dementia? Absolutely not! But I understand if you believe that dementia comes with age. A new study indicates that two-thirds of people believe dementia ...click here to read more

This past weekend, I went away with some family. We rented a place up north for some rest. And although I felt well-rested and relaxed while I was up there, I do not feel as recharged as I would like. The reason was that I didn’t sleep well the last night. It was a comfy ...click here to read more

Please, for my sake and yours, focus on nothing but the words on this screen for the next few minutes. Any distraction may lead to hazy memory and an altered perception of reality. Put your smartphone on “do not disturb,” or better yet, get it out of sight. Distractions are always going to be a ...click here to read more

What do you do to keep high blood pressure in check? Exercise more? Yep. Eat a healthier diet? You bet. Lose weight? Sure thing. But one often-overlooked strategy for lowering blood pressure and improving heart health is learning how to effectively manage stress. Feeling stressed or anxious can put added pressure on your heart, which ...click here to read more

Everyone knows how good it feels to get a good night’s sleep, but new evidence shows how important it can be for cutting risk of stroke and heart disease. For middle-aged adults with type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, or stroke, it is especially important to get a good night’s sleep as it ...click here to read more

Veterans with mental health disorders are at a higher risk of suffering heart disease and stroke, according to new research. Mental health disorders, specifically depression, psychosis, and bipolar disorder have a connection to veterans who have cardiovascular events. New research published in Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes, an American Heart Association journal, helps to outline ...click here to read more

Exercise in older adults can improve health in many ways, and a new study has shown how even the brain can benefit. When most people think of exercise, they think it needs to be a long, strenuous workout to gain any real benefits, but this new research shows how even a single exercise session can ...click here to read more

The headline has exercise written all over it. But I’m not here to trick you into exercise. In fact, I’m not even going to give you a list of 30-minute healthy recipes. Nope. This little bit of news is less about getting active and more about sitting down in a comfortable chair. So, it might ...click here to read more

For those who have Alzheimer’s disease, blood pressure that fluctuates could affect the rate of dementia. Research shows a new understanding of the links between Alzheimer’s disease and blood vessels and how they can worsen dementia. Almost six million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease, including 200,000 people under the age of 65. It’s the ...click here to read more