That's the growing conclusion of research that shows fogged memory and slowed wit are not inevitable consequences of getting old, and there are steps people can take to protect their brains, according to AP Medical Writer Laureen Neergaard. Mental exercise seems crucial. Benefits start when parents read to tots and depend heavily on education, but scientists say it's never too late to start jogging the gray matter.
People have to get physical, too.
Bad memory is linked to heart disease, diabetes and a high-fat diet, all risks people can counter by living healthier lives. Two researchers and authors being interviewed on National Public Radio on July 27, said exercise seems to help prevent even cancer - particularly of the colon and breast. There is even evidence that those who exercise and smoke are less at risk of lung cancer than smokers who do not exercise. Serious falls among older adults are often considered a consequence of failing eyesight and disability. But public health experts warn that they are frequently the result of a sedentary lifestyle that weakens the body, and say exercise may be the best way to curb an alarming rise in serious falls.