Carole Carson

A Fountain of Youth—for the Brain?

A decade or two ago, memory loss, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease were inevitable clouds threatening to darken the senior years for many. But recently, a number of studies have challenged the notion that mental deterioration is an inevitable part of aging.

Just as we learned that the physical deterioration we associated with aging is in large part a function of lifestyle, we’ve learned that the amount and kind of mental deterioration associated with aging is also related to lifestyle.

Memory loss is not inevitable, and the risk of Parkinson’s disease, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease can be reduced through the daily choices we make, particularly with regard to exercise.

With increasing consistency, researchers assert that regular aerobic exercise, such as brisk walking at least three days a week for 45 minutes, improves the odds of maintaining memory and executive control functions, such as planning, scheduling and multitasking.

Researchers have also confirmed that learning new skills and playing games that require concentration, spatial learning, memory and processing speed also help maintain brain health.

And those of us who love coffee get an added boost. Researchers assert that caffeine improves mental processing and memory skills. Longterm coffee drinkers also have a lower incidence of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

Adding mental and physical exercise to one’s routine, along with drinking a few cups of coffee each day, are positive steps we can take. What do we need to avoid?

First, we need to avoid being overweight. Surplus weight can lead to diabetes, which affects memory and other mental functions.

Second, we need to keep our blood pressure in the normal range. Researchers can’t explain why hypertension results in memory loss or mental deterioration. But even if we don’t understand the mechanics, the conclusions remain clear. If necessary, we need to treat hypertension as part of a program to maintain brain health.

Here’s the bottom line if you want to preserve your memory, protect yourself from dementia or simply stay sharp:

• Exercise 30 to 60 minutes each day

• Maintain a normal weight

• Keep your blood pressure under control

• Enjoy coffee (if it doesn’t overstimulate you)

• Challenge yourself through learning and staying engaged

The essence of who we are is dependent upon the functioning of our brain, and the implications of these research results are clear. Although we cannot keep the days from passing or change our genetic inheritance, we can adopt healthy habits today that will improve the odds of maintaining a healthy and normally functioning brain tomorrow.

"Age is an opportunity no less than youth itself."                            Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Sex, Viagra and Other Matters of the Heart

Not every board-certified cardiologist wants to challenge the mantle of 80-year-old Dr. Ruth, a psychotherapist who pioneered frank discussions about sex. But Dr. David Sabgir is no ordinary cardiologist.

According to Dr. Sabgir, the topic of sex comes up a lot in his daily practice. “I get asked about Viagra, Levitra, and Cialis 10 times a day, and most of the questions are coming from the ladies. It's hard to keep a straight face in the office when my 103-year-old patient asks for a Viagra script.”

But what does a patient’s interest in sex have to do with fitness? “A lot,” asserts Dr. Sabgir. “There are multiple reasons why walking, running, biking or swimming lead to better loving.”

  

According to Dr. Sabgir, exercise has at least 87,431 benefits. Here are just a few of the reasons Dr. Sabgir says exercise makes “sexy time” (movie character Borat) so much better:

 

• Exercise firms up your abs, butt and thighs.  Improving your appearance and self-esteem will make you more willing to get a little “frisky” (celebrity Zsa Zsa Gabor).

• The enhanced blood flow created by exercise is important for preventing erectile dysfunction, elevating mood and helping to manage the stress in your life, and these benefits result in increased “hanky panky” (Jack Tripper of Three’s Company). According to research reported in the June 23, 2004, issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, exercise and a reduced-calorie diet help correct erectile dysfunction in obese men. Another study noticed a 30 percent reduction in erectile dysfunction with regular exercise.

• Testosterone is produced naturally in both men and women and is responsible for sexual arousal. Regular exercise increases testosterone production. 

Unlike Dr. Ruth who assumes a public persona, Dr. Sabgir is an extremely private person. Because of his concern for appearances, Dr. Sabgir respectfully requests that what he says in this article stay in this article. I’ve included his request, but frankly, how will he know if you share this article with your lover?

Author’s Note: A pioneer himself, Dr. David Sabgir created the Walk with a Doc program in Lewis Center, Ohio, to encourage his patients to get moving. Weekends find Dr. Sabgir and other healthcare professionals leading community walks, followed by refreshments and fellowship.