Category Archives: Brain Function

A friend of a mine spends every single weekend at her younger sister’s house to take care of their mom (and give her sister’s family a break). The mom has Alzheimer’s disease, she must be close to 80, and the family is committed to caring for her as long as they can at home. You ...click here to read more

Have you completed your recommended 30 minutes of brisk walking today? Regular exercise is a common theme when it comes to protecting your health as you age. It is beneficial in many ways and supports day-to-day brain function. It turns out, getting that heart rate going boosts your brainpower, improving your overall memory and ability ...click here to read more

I’m not the most high-tech person when it comes to carrying around a smartphone or iPad as if it was a life-support system (like some young people I know). But I do recognize the value of staying connected with friends, family and others, and using technology to your advantage. It turns out, whether you’re checking ...click here to read more

Americans just keep getting fatter, it’s true, but did you know that sleep deprivation could play a role in tipping the scales? Studies have connected sleep, eating and weight in adults and older children. Now new research published in the International Journal of Obesity has found that the same may hold true for younger children ...click here to read more

Depression has been tied to a variety of physical ailments, from sleep problems to weight loss and weight gain. But when was the last time you paid your dentist a visit? New research adds another potential link to depression: Dental trouble. Problems like cavities and gum disease often are associated with bio-social conditions like depression ...click here to read more

How’s this for unsettling… Alzheimer’s disease is an illness that causes the brain cells to deteriorate. As a result, mood, behavior and memory decline. More than five million Americans are living with this form of dementia. A cause for real concern though is that some of them have been misdiagnosed. Statistics show that every 67 ...click here to read more

Stop right there with that razor and cream. Whether you’re discussing a matter of personal preference with your partner, or trying to decide if you should change up your look, take note: Beards are sexy. And science has confirmed it. Facial hair for men is a trend that has come and gone through the years, ...click here to read more

Tired, so tired, of waking up and moving to the couch to get a decent night’s rest? Your partner’s snoring may not just be disturbing your sleep – it may be a sign of an underlying sleep condition known as sleep apnea. People who suffer from the disorder may be at an increased risk of developing ...click here to read more

There’s at least one more reason to incorporate omega-3 into your everyday diet. A new study by the University of Oxford’s Learning and Behaviour lab revealed that higher levels of omega-3 DHA – the group of fatty acids commonly found in algae and seafood – are linked to better sleep. In their pilot, randomized trial, researchers looked ...click here to read more

If you have trouble falling asleep at night, now you’ll know exactly which part of your brain is to blame. British researchers discovered a molecular switch in the brain of fruit flies tells them when it’s time for some shut-eye – and they believe that humans have a similar brain function. Considering how essential good sleep ...click here to read more

Steak may have great flavor and mouth-feel (we have to agree), but it’s not doing your health any favors. Over the next 10 years, the number of Americans aged 65 and older with Alzheimer’s disease will reach an estimated 7.1 million. The number of deaths from diabetes is expected to rise more than 50 percent. ...click here to read more

What makes up a person? We all have bones, muscles, ligaments, organs, veins and arteries (and so on!) that are connected to create a functioning body. We move our fingers and toes without thinking about it, we speak to tell stories and offer advice, and our inner workings help transport blood, oxygen and other signals so ...click here to read more

The decline in brain function needed for everyday thinking, learning and memory is common as we age. But a new study suggests that nutrients high in antioxidants and other natural ingredients can help boost the speed at which the brains of older adults take in information. Recently, a team of neuroscientists and gerontologists at the ...click here to read more

Eat breakfast. Drink water. Exercise. Healthy lifestyle habits do plenty to keep your heart strong. New research shows that heart-healthy habits will also help you respond better to treatment for depression. In today’s society, depression is very common, affecting more than 350 million people worldwide. Numerous studies have found that depression is a major risk ...click here to read more