Page 216 - Mind Games The Aging Brain and How to Keep it Healthy

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can increase the risk of bleeding. Antioxidants reduce the
damage caused by free radicals and have been linked to re-
ducing the risk of cognitive impairment.
The effects of vitamin and herbal supplements some-
times are controversial. It is possible to overdose and harm
yourself. Recall from earlier discussions that you must
check with your doctor first before you embark into new
self-help territory, especially if you already are taking some
medications.
Some researchers believe that having a high degree of
education and maintaining a high level of mental activity
protect the brain against the ravaging effects of Alzheimer’s.
Learning new things keeps the brain’s connections robust
and flourishing. This gives you a greater supply of connec-
tions to use as surplus in order to maintain your mental abil-
ity if Alzheimer’s disease does affect you.

Doctors and Medication
We cannot begin to impress on you enough the importance
of a yearly physical exam. As you can tell from the informa-
tion we have presented regarding sleep, nutrition, exercise,
psychological attitude, and spiritual values, your mental
health and physical health are intimately intertwined.
Sometimes what we think are irreparable consequences of
aging can be corrected. If you notice changes, especially if
they are sudden, in memory, energy levels, or even just a
general feeling that all is not well, seek out your doctor.
Have your doctor test you for inappropriate hormonal lev-
els, vitamin deficiencies, high blood pressure, and so on.
And if you check out fine and are physically able to start an
exercise program, try various techniques described in the
text to get those muscles moving and oxygen pumping.
If your doctor cannot find anything wrong with you, but
you still do not feel quite right, get a second or even third
opinion. For example, Virginia Chestnut (whom you met
earlier) suffered for many years from high blood pressure
that was not adequately controlled by medications. She also
felt “bone-tired” all the time and would fall asleep within