7 Healthcast
Brain health
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Producer:
Jodi Parrish
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We already know that taking care of our heart will impact our overall health, but did you know that it's just as important to keep your brain active and healthy? 7's Christa Delcamp has the story.
Exercise is always good for the body, but what about exercising the brain?
Marie Pasinski, neurologist
"Many people don't realize that there are simple lifestyle changes we can make and choices that we make that can significantly impact the health of our brain."
Keeping her brain healthy is very important to Jeannette McWilliams of Byfield.
Jeannette McWilliams
"It's a priority for me because my mom who had Alzheimer's. The importance of keeping my brain health became more important as I watched my mother progress."
So at 59, Jeanette decided to beat the drum-literally!
She took up playing the drums to help improve her memory and cognitive functions.
Jeannette McWilliams
"It helps me feel that I'm doing things to keep my brain from not doing one thing all the time, but other things to challenge me mentally."
Doctors say learning new skills, like playing an instrument or speaking a new language are powerful ways to keep the brain performing.
Marie Pasinski, neurologist
"When we learn something new, that requires concentration and memory and it actually makes it the best brain work-out there is because it actually targets the very parts of the brain that age the fastest as well as the parts that are most vulnerable to Alzheimer's disease."
And, of course, good health is a boost for your brain.
Marie Pasinski, neurologist
"For example, eating a healthy diet, exercise, keeping blood pressure under good control- those are all so important for brain health."
Dr. Pasinski says the earlier we start working out our brains, the better!
Marie Pasinski, neurologist
"We're coming to realize through the research (is) that the choices we make can impact the health of your brain and decrease your risk of dementia."
Marie Pasinski, neurologist
"Every experience we have changes our brain and the richer and more stimulating those experiences are, we now believe the more profound the changes can be."
Jeanette couldn't agree more.
Jeannette McWilliams
"And it's helping your brain in the long run, so just do it."
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