Try eating food with one chop stick.

It is possible, for certain types of food. But probably not the best approach.

Let’s now talk brain health.

Dr. Larry McCleary is a former acting Chief of Pediatric Neurosurgery at Denver Children’s Hospital, and author of the The Brain Trust Program (Perigee Trade, 2007). He agreed to help us answer an important, yet often neglected, question: Given That We Are Our Brains, How do We Nourish Them?

Alvaro: Dr. McCleary, Why did a former neurosurgeon such as yourself develop an interest in brain health public education?

Dr. McCleary: For two reasons … I am a Boomer and am trying to maximize my own brain health. Also, there is much exciting research documenting how we can be proactive in this regard. This information needs to be disseminated and I would like to help in this process.

And what is the single most important brain-related idea or concept that you would like every person in the planet to fully understand?

The most important take home message about brain health is that we now know that no matter what your brain status or age, there is much you can do to significantly improve brain function and slow brain aging. Based on emerging information, what is especially nice is the fact that unlike many things in life our brain health is largely under own control.

What are the most important elements to nourish our brains as we age?

I approach this question much like an athlete prepares for competition. They utilize a holistic approach. Read the rest of this entry »

(Graph Source: Klingberg et al, 2005)

 

Working memory is a key cognitive function that allows you to hold several units of information in mind—“online”—for brief periods of time, typically a few seconds, and manage them.

For example, if I tell you the 7 digits of my telephone number, would you remember them? and, could you tell them back to me…in reverse order?

Questions:

- What if that curve could be moved upwards?

- What activities may help kids and youth expand working memory?

- What activities can help adults over 30 reduce that rate of decline?

- And what is the relationship between working memory and the brain?

To Be Continued…