Have a Drink and Improve Your Memory

If you are over sixty, you have probably experienced those dreaded "senior moments."  You know what I'm talking about: those times when you can't remember where you put your reading glasses or car keys, or maybe even where you parked your car at the mall.  If so, I have good news for you: have a glass of wine or two a day and you might actually improve your memory.

Recent studies at several universities have shown that moderate consumption of alcohol, seven to fourteen glasses of wine or beer per week, may actually improve your "episodic memory," the ability to remember events. The studies are based upon follow-up analyses of participants in the famed Framington Heart Study. The consumption of alcohol is believed to increase brain cells.

This follows several earlier studies that showed that similar consumption of wine and beer may actually prevent the onslaught of dementia or Alzheimer's  disease.  The percentage decline in those diseases in moderate drinkers compared to teetotalers was a startling 37%.

The recommened level of consumption per day is one glass of wine or beer for women and no more than two glasses for men.

So drink up and remember where you read about this important information.  http://www.notjustforboomers.blogspot.com, where you can find lots of useful information everyday.















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How Exercise Can Improve Memory in Boomers

In a recent study published in the Journal of Aging Research, scientists at the University of British Columbia reported that exercise can boost memory and cognitive skills in older adults.  The study involved several dozen women between the ages of 70 and 80.  Some of the women were given weight training while others were given aerobic training, walking.  The researchers found that both groups improved spatial memory at about an equal amount after a six month period.  However, those who walked regularly had greater improvement in verbal memory. The researchers concluded that different types of exercise had effects upon different parts of the brain.

What exercise is best to improve brain functioning? The answer is obvious:  do both aerobic and resistance training to achieve maximum results.

Blueberries: The Easy Way to Preserve Your Memory

One of the things many boomers fear is the memory decline that is frequently a part of aging. We all want to find ways to avoid that. According to a study of 122,000 registered nurses over a 25 year period, those who ate the most blueberries and strawberries showed the least amount of memory decline or at least delayed its onset by the several years.

The study was conducted by Harvard researchers and reported in the April 26, 2012 issue of "Annals of Neurology." In a report on study, CBS News Medical Correspondent, Dr. Holly Phillips, attributed the beneficial effects to the flavonoids present in the berries as well as in dark chocolate. Those flavonoids have both antioxidants and anti-inflammatory qualities which may offset the factors which are believed to cause memory decline.

While of course, you can eat blueberries by themselves, one special treat my wife makes is blueberry cobbler from scratch. She has agreed to share her recipe with everyone:

Betsy's Blueberry Cobbler

Preheat Oven at 375 degrees

Filling Ingredients:

4 cups fresh blueberries
1 cup granulated sugar
3 T. all purpose flour
Pinch of salt
1 t. grated lemon peel
1 T. lemon juice

Mix these ingredients in a bowl

Topping Ingredients:

2 cups all purpose flour
4 T. sugar
1/2 t. salt
4 t. baking powder
8 T. chilled butter, cubed
12 T. milk

Put fruit filing in bottom of 9" glass pie plate
Combine dry ingredients and stir using pastry blender
Work butter into dry ingredients until mixture resembles tiny peas
Slowly add milk and stir
Gather dough together and knead until smooth
Place dough on top blueberry mixture
Dough should cover most of pie
Drizzle 2 T. of melted butter on top, if desired
Bake 35-45 minutes at 375 degrees until lightly browned
Cool on rack

Enjoy!!

Boost The Brain's Power Through Tai Chi

We all have heard those horror stories about losing the brain's cells at an early age and how that can effect our memory and cognitive skills. . Now there is something you can do about it.  And it does not involve buying expensive equipment or spending lots of money on supplements.  The answer?  Why, tai chi, of course.

In the June 19, 2012 edition of the  Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, a team of researchers from China's Shanghai Fudan University and the University of South Florida, reported on an eight month study they conducted of Chinese seniors who practiced the art of tai chi at least three times a week. They found that comparing those individuals with those who did not practice tai chi, those who did practice it had increased brain volume.  In turn, that resulted in improvements in both memory and cognitive function.

So, if you are having trouble remembering where you put the car keys, try tai chi.  Who knows, you might even find the keys. Let me know if it seems to work for you.