Page 66 - Senior Link Magazine Spring 2022 - Online Magazine

SENIOR RESOURCES
Sustain Your

MeNtAl ACUitY

by Richard Houston

ubbock seniors, like all mature BDNF, a brain protein, “MiracleGro So, what’s your backup plan?
adults, want to sustain their for the brain.” Physical activity revs
Lmemory function, their mental up production of BDNF as well. ‘Mature’ adults can improve their
acuity and robust health throughout memory function and support
the later decades of life. Research However, our track record on the their cognitive acuity with regular
reveals that healthy lifestyle habits ‘physical activity’ front does not physical activity. In future columns,
can add years to a lifespan and impress. The CDC reports that more we will address additional activities
improve the quality of life in our than 60% of Americans do not meet to keep your brain in tip-top shape
60s, 70s, 80s and beyond. Navigating recommended standards for physical and to promote robust health in the
these decades, however, is not activity. More problematic, 25% of later years of our lives. In our next
without risk. The National Institutes us don’t have any kind of exercise column, we will tackle the subject
of Health reports that 40-45% of regimen at all. If the benefits of of resilience and offer readers a
people over 60 experience some regular physical movement are so free 8-page report, personalized
form of memory impairment. As compelling, why are so many seniors and based on your own individual
memory falters, everyone worries leaving those benefits ‘on the table’? responses.
about further deterioration of mental
faculties. Our own original research with
1600 Silicon Valley adults reveals Richard Houston conducted original
For years, brain science held that powerful psychological issues at research with a sample of 1600 adults
our brains do not generate new work for people who are physically on the psychological dimensions of
neuron growth. Adults have about inactive. The vast majority of healthy lifestyle habits. He is a graduate
the same number of neurons in their sedentary seniors have no exercise of Brown University, holds a Doctorate
brain as they did at birth – less, in plan. The quality of a plan is crucial in Education and was licensed by the
fact - since maturation involves to its success. Folks beginning a new Massachusetts Board of Psychology.
pruning neural circuits that are not exercise regimen need to start small He has had long term consulting
used. However, recent discoveries and take very gradual steps in the relationships with several continuing
have revealed that the hippocampus direction of a rigorous habit – step care retirement communities.
– a seahorse shaped component of by small step.
our brain that plays a critical role Lose the plan for a
in memory formation and storage marathon. Further,
– has the capacity to generate new sedentary seniors
neurons. But wait, the news gets have a nasty habit
better: we can actually stimulate that of drawing negative
process and promote the process of conclusions when
neurogenesis. their attempts to
be active falter. All
Former director of the Center plans encounter
for Disease Control, (CDC), Tom obstacles.
Frieden, M.D., has said “We know Anticipate
that … being active is the closest thing roadblocks and
we have to a wonder drug.” In fact, define contingency
physical activity is one way to plans. If you plan
promote growth of new neurons to walk for 15
in the hippocampus. You can start minutes four times
today. Get out for a brisk walk, and a week, expect that
your brain will benefit. Scores of unexpected issues
other research projects document will obstruct one
additional benefits to the brain from or more of your
physical activity. Harvard Medical outings.
School expert John Ratey, M.D. calls

66 Lubbock Senior Link