Mike
Carruthers:
Memory loss is a real worry for a lot of people
as they age. But worrying isn't going to help.
Sue
Halpern:
Here's the good news: all of us (100% of us) will have
memory decline as we get older. It's just part of getting older and we want to
get older because the alternative isn't so great. Sue
Halpern, author of the book Can't
Remember What I Forgot, says memory decline starts as early as in your 20's
and it's not likely Alzheimer's disease. Only
about one in ten people at the age of sixty-five end up with Alzheimer's disease.
Alzheimer's is primarily a disease of getting very old. You know if you live to
eighty-five you have a very good chance of getting it but most of us won't live
that long. Aerobic
exercise is one thing that can really help keep your memory sharp. One
of the things that happened in the course of my research was that I happened to
be around Columbia University when they did an exercise study that basically showed
that people who did aerobic exercise not only had better memories but also grew
new neurons, new brain cells and that's just phenomenal. Eating
anti-oxidant rich foods also appears to help memory and being socially connected
is critical. Interacting
with your neighbors, your friends, doing volunteer work - being in a church or
synagogue, any kind of environment in which you're not isolated - that sort of
thing. You can
link to Sue's website from ours; somethingyoushouldknow.net
I'm Mike Carruthers and that's Something You Should Know. | 
