Category Archives: Brain Function

Maybe you opened a Facebook account with good intentions. It would let you keep up to date with photos of your grandkids, and check up on some old friends. But things change. These days, Facebook seems less about positive connections and more about churning out anxiety. A 2015 study showed a clear association between social ...click here to read more

According to a new study from The BMJ, people who have mentally stimulating jobs have a lower risk of dementia as they age. The relationship between dementia and a job that someone holds is believed to be due to lower levels of specific proteins that may prevent brain cells from forming new connections. Previous research ...click here to read more

Many studies have shown that heart health can depend a lot on diet, exercise and sleep patterns. Although research has shown the beneficial interaction between the brain, lifestyle, and cardiovascular health, what is not known is how exactly these factors affect other bodily functions. Genetics do play an important role in cardiovascular health. Still, as ...click here to read more

People don’t typically associate bodies with brains. Think about it: the stereotypical jock is all muscle and no brains, while brainiacs are usually small and skinny. But your body does have a lot to do with how your brain works. Living an active life that includes plenty of exercises can help you stay sharp in ...click here to read more

For those with depression, physical activity can not only lighten their mood but also give the brain the jolt it needs for daily learning processes. The dual beneficial effect of physical activity was confirmed by a study at the University Clinic for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy at Ruhr-Universität Bochum (RUB). This study was able to show ...click here to read more

If you’re regularly not feeling well rested after a night of sleep, you may want to think about why. It could save your life. A new study is showing that sleep apnea – a condition that causes people to stop breathing during sleep – can be life threatening. Further, it’s associated with increased risk for ...click here to read more

New mothers experiencing sleep loss may be speeding up their aging. According to new research published from UCLA, too little sleep in the first six months after birth can add three to seven years to a woman’s “biological age.” The study published in Sleep Health studied 33 mothers during their pregnancies in the first year ...click here to read more

A new study suggests eating colorful foods may help defend against dementia, so head to the grocery store for some berries, orange juice, and apples. Research from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health suggests that the more colorful fruits and vegetables a person eats, the better protection they appear to have from cognitive ...click here to read more

A new study from the University of Texas at Austin has found that how a person decorates their living space can accurately pinpoint personality traits and the mood of the people who live there. The study found this is especially true as a person gets older. For the study, researchers analyzed the living spaces of ...click here to read more

If you want to drastically reduce your risk for sleep apnea, you might want to move more. A new study is showing that active people are far less susceptible to the condition, which can lead to chronic fatigue, heart problems, high blood pressure, heart attack, and type-2 diabetes. People who spend more than four hours ...click here to read more

High levels of blood cholesterol in mid-life are associated with a risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease later in life. This new information comes from the largest study to date, led by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) with the University of Tsukuba, Japan, and OXON Epidemiology, London and Madrid. The study ...click here to read more

Aerobic exercise may offer a protective boost for brain aging. Scientists have previously shown that aerobic exercises are beneficial for brain health, but new research adds evidence to suggest that it may affect white matter in the brain. The study out of Assistant Professor Aga Burzynska’s BRAiN Lab at Colorado State University provides some of ...click here to read more

Doctors and other health professionals are skilled at keeping you functioning optimally. But they are also the preferred last line of defense. The truth is that there are a bunch of other people that can help keep you healthy. And they don’t cost a thing. The people in your life play a major role in ...click here to read more

For those concerned about brain health, coffee should be avoided. According to a new study from the University of South Australia, high coffee consumption is associated with smaller total brain volumes and an increased risk of dementia. The largest study of its kind, researchers from UniSA’s Australian Centre for Precision Health at SAHMRI and a ...click here to read more