| The “Brain Fitness Program” is the | | | | choose carefully, since there is some |
| title of a PBS show that aired in December, 2007. | | | | “bad” stuff out there. Fish oil is the |
| There are a variety of brain fitness programs on | | | | best source of DHA, the omega-3 fatty acid |
| the market, today, ranging in price from $19.99 | | | | needed to support the brain’s health. |
| for Nintendo’s “Brain Age 2” | | | | The next thing to work on is your stress level. |
| to $395 for Posit Science’s training | | | | Brains under stress do not remember things. |
| program. | | | | They get distracted easily and simply cannot |
| With so many different titles to choose from, | | | | focus for long periods of time. Your complete |
| how do you know which brain fitness program is | | | | brain fitness program should include regular |
| right for you? You might want to start with some | | | | meditation to reduce stress. |
| “freebies”. There are many on-line | | | | Once you have these things down, you can start |
| websites that offer brain teasers. If you like | | | | looking for stimulating brain fitness programs. If |
| them, then you may want to | | | | you are going to buy something, it should be |
| “step-up” to the Nintendo game, if | | | | well-designed by a learned group of scientists. |
| you own a player. | | | | Look for a brain fitness program that specifies |
| But, primarily, you want a complete plan. Think of | | | | the benefits you will receive if you use their |
| it as a health plan for your brain. | | | | system. For example, some brain fitness |
| As you exercise your body, you also need to | | | | programs are designed to help improve your |
| exercise your “gray matter”. Regular | | | | memory. Others to help improve concentration |
| physical activity is important, including regular | | | | and still others that may help improve your overall |
| aerobic activity 3-5 times per week. Regular | | | | IQ. |
| physical activity keeps the blood flowing, improves | | | | The best exercises for our brains are those that |
| circulation to the brain-cells. If you lead a | | | | teach us something new, hopefully on a daily |
| completely sedentary lifestyle, you will become | | | | basis. If a system becomes boring, you |
| “duller and duller”. | | | | aren’t learning anything new. But, if |
| None of the brain fitness programs that you buy | | | | it’s too hard, it can increase your stress |
| in a box will provide everything that you need for | | | | level. You should try to find a system that you |
| continued mental clarity. Along with regular | | | | enjoy, so that you are motivated to |
| physical activity, you need a healthy diet. | | | | “play” and one that has increasingly |
| Certain supplements are extremely beneficial. | | | | difficult levels. |
| Omega-3 fatty acids, for example, have been an | | | | I just want to mention that PBS’s |
| integral part of scientifically controlled brain fitness | | | | “Brain Fitness Program” is now |
| programs for many years. Other supplements on | | | | available on DVD. The program gives an |
| the market include DMAE, but there is limited | | | | informative overview concerning the emerging |
| scientific research concerning the health benefits | | | | science that shows that people do have the ability |
| of the supplement. | | | | to grow new brain-cells and neurons. So, if |
| If you are not taking a daily supplement at this | | | | you’re starting to lose your memory, |
| time, start with fish oil, but make sure you | | | | there’s new hope. |