Computer brain-training games have soared in popularity in recent years as seniors look for ways to stay mentally sharp and prevent Alzheimer’s.
Lumosity, FitBrains, Elevate, and CogniFit are among the most popular of the cutting-edge digital mind exercisers.[1]
But what about “old school” games such as cards, bingo, Scrabble, and chess?
Do they have the same brain health benefits as computer games?
Scientists at the University of Edinburgh in the U.K.
On the Greek island of Ikaria, a bigger percentage of the residents live past 90 than anywhere else in the world.
Many live well past 100.
That’s why it’s known as the “Island where people forget to die.”
The old folks on Ikaria aren’t frail and feeble. If you visit the island, you’ll see centenarians riding bikes, hiking, and bragging about their love lives.
What single factor determines how much longer you have to live?
The obvious one is age. After all, if you’re 80, it’s likely you have less time left than someone who is 60.
Genetics are big factor, too. If your parents and grandparents lived long lives, chances are you will, too.
Whether you smoke makes a big difference as well.
But it turns out that there is another longevity factor that is more powerful than any of these.
Physical activity is the number one predictor of lifespan, a new study shows.
Dogs are America’s new children.
Before you dismiss this statement as an exaggeration, consider this: America’s birth rate is now at a 32-year low. Dog ownership is at an all-time high.
There are now more dogs in the U.S. (90 million) than children (74 million).
One of the reasons we love dogs so much is that they make us feel better.
Vitamin D is required for just about all aspects of human health. You need it for bone strength, immunity, insulin regulation, heart health, brain function, and more.[1]
And now a new study shows that the sunshine vitamin may be the key to preserving muscle strength as you get older.
The research was conducted at Trinity College Dublin. The investigators looked at 4,157 people over 60.
If you can avoid heart disease and cancer, you can expect to live a long life. That’s because these two conditions kill more Americans than all other illnesses combined.[1]
Now, a major analysis shows that one nutrient may be the key to preventing both.
The study comes from Edith Cowan University in Australia. It followed the diets of more than 53,000 people for 23 years.