Care for your body and your brain

( Because I never stopped )

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"I ask them why I can do it," said the 67-year-old Bruce of Rush, who teaches at Oasis and for MVP Healthcare. "Because that's the only thing I'm paying attention to. Focus, focus, focus. We're so distracted by 16 other things we're doing, we don't pay attention."

You may forget why you walked into a room, but be careful or you'll bang elbows with everyone else scratching their heads wondering why they're there. Boomers and older adults who are seeking ways to keep their faculties may want to remember this — the same active lifestyle and healthy eating habits that keep your body fit can do the same for your mind.

"The absolute most important thing you can do is not have a heart attack," said Dr. Steven Rich, chief of geriatric medicine at Rochester General Health System. "Every cardiovascular risk factor that we've identified to protect against heart disease seems to have an effect against Alzheimer's and other kinds of dementia."

Researchers don't exactly know why a heart-healthy lifestyle benefits the brain. Studies of large numbers of people are showing that those who control high blood pressure and cholesterol, maintain a normal weight, manage their diabetes and get aerobic exercise have a lower risk for dementia. The potential decline in mental abilities and a resulting loss of independence is what may finally convince more people to eat five to nine servings of fruits and vegetables a day and get regular exercise.

"People fear dementia more than death," said Rich. Worry often stems from factors out of a person's control, such as genetics. "It's a relatively small risk," Rich said, "except in patients with lots of family members who had it at a young age. Someone who starts Alzheimer's in their 40s, 50s or early 60s, then your family risk is a little higher." Because family history isn't destiny, geriatricians say the best way to stay sharp is to stay active.Acknowledging there's a balance between maintaining activities and staying safe, Rich said that people should do everything — from keeping the checkbook to making dinner — that they are capable of handling.

Tim Balconi lives that advice. The 51-year-old president of the Unity Health Foundation enrolled in the executive MBA program at the Simon Graduate School of Business at the University of Rochester. He found that reading and studying have improved his memory. While colleagues are amazed that Balconi always comes up with what they need, he said he doesn't have a photographic memory. Instead, he boosts recall by making associations and by careful listening. Let the other person finish speaking before you even plan your response, he said. "You really absorb it. You remember it better."

There's some experimental work into whether active video games, such as Wii, can help improve various aspects of cognition that may transfer to everyday life, said Silvia Sörensen, 48, associate professor in the department of psychiatry at the University of Rochester Medical Center, who has researched cognitive tasks among older adults. At the very least, playing the games can be fun. "The older adults didn't want to give the Wii back," Sorensen said of a pilot study. "We think it's positive."

As for less scientific approaches, try:

Exercise to stay nimble and to help control weight and the risk factors for cardiovascular disease. If you've been inactive or are changing your routine, see your doctor first.

Eat a balanced diet. Consult a registered dietitian for the latest news and guidance. Many products claim to fight the effects of aging, but they may not be regulated by the Food and Drug Administration.

Take up a hobby or take a class. Learning to play an instrument, for example, strengthens connections among neurons in the brain.

The activities are as much for social interaction as brain stimulation.

Dr. Lisa Boyle, 35, an assistant professor in psychiatry at URMC, also works in the memory disorders clinic at the Alzheimer's Disease Care, Research and Education program at Monroe Community Hospital. She said that other things can cause cognitive impairment, so patients are screened for depression, sleep deprivation, other medical conditions and stress. Researchers and practitioners allay fears by saying that dementia isn't forgetting where you put your keys, it's forgetting what keys are for. Often, the remedy is to take a deep breath. "People get frustrated when they can't remember something," said Bruce, the memory teacher. "Forget about it for a little bit. It will come back."Rich, whose patients laughed along with Bob Hope, tells them what the comedian said when asked why he was writing jokes into his 90s. "'Because I never stopped,'" Rich quotes. ...http://www.democratandchronicle.com

Further glucosamine health claim rejected

No causality has been established between glucosamine hydrochloride and a reduced rate of cartilage degeneration in individuals without osteoarthritis, according to an opinion published by EFSA on an Article 14 health claim. ...http://www.nutraingredients.com

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