Weird Trick Makes Your Brain Young Again

 

“2 Weeks to a Younger Brain”

UCLA Professor Reveals Brain-Boosting
Discoveries for a Younger Mind

Ben Franklin once said“Life’s tragedy is that we get old too soon and wise too late.”

But now at long last, this so-called “fact of life” has met a powerful challenge, thanks to the groundbreaking work of a renowned UCLA psychiatrist and brain health expert.

Meet Gary Small, M.D. — brain health researcher, psychiatry professor, and New York Times bestselling co-author with his wife Gigi Vorgan of their book, 2 Weeks to a Younger Brain.

Dr. Small reveals his method to slow brain aging and enjoy the
emotional and health benefits of a younger brain in just 14 days.

Newsmax Health wants to share Dr. Small’s remarkable discoveries with our readers. He and Gigi are with us today to share their views.

NEWSMAX HEALTH: Thanks to both of you for agreeing to spend a few minutes to discuss your book, 2 Weeks to a Younger Brain. For starters, can you tell our viewers why you decided to write this book?

DR. GARY SMALL: After three decades of helping thousands of patients improve their memory and mental acuity, I am more convinced than ever that our daily lifestyle habits are directly linked to our brain health.

Scientists can detect subtle changes in the brain that coincide with mental decline by the time we reach age 40, and our findings show that people as young as 20 already have memory problems. And these changes only accelerate as we age past 50.

Fortunately, the latest research confirms that there’s a lot we can do to strengthen our memory and keep our brains young regardless of our true age. Gigi and I wrote this book to bring our findings and insights to your viewers and anyone else who wants to learn practical ways to prevent and even reverse brain aging.

NMX: When you say “brain aging,” are we talking about misplacing your keys, or forgetting someone’s name at a party — or is there more to it?

DR. SMALL: Forgetting someone’s name or misplacing your keys are just some of the common memory slips we all experience from time to time, even in our twenties.  But as we age, these problems tend to get worse, and the book addresses all of these issues head on. It’s never too early or too late to start protecting your brain.

A 2012 French study showed that for most people in their mid-40s, memory and reasoning skills decline by more than 3 percent per decade. By their mid-60s, that aging process accelerates to more than 7 percent each decade. So we’re talking about a 15 percent decline by age 70, and if you don’t do anything to slow or reverse it, it’s only going to get worse from there.

Memory slips, or “senior moments,” result from the wear and tear of aging on our brains. This wear and tear comes from oxidative stress, inflammation, and other chemical alterations that deteriorate our neurons.

However, new research points the way toward reversing that mental decline. And most of us don’t need to take drastic steps, use prescription drugs or see a psychiatrist. Instead, simply learning easy new habits can often reverse these symptoms of brain aging, and that’s what we reveal in 2 Weeks to a Younger Brain.

NMX: Now, could you give us an example of how this might work — something our viewers could do and see actual results within 14 days?

GIGI VORGAN: Sure, for common challenges like forgetting where you put your keys or glasses, it can be as simple as creating a memory place.

Our friend Jerry owns an audio-video business with several offices, and he carries around numerous keys. His key ring is too heavy to keep in his pocket so he plops them down whenever he walks in the house. Unfortunately, in the morning when he leaves for work, he has to search all over to find where he put his keys.

Jerry finally followed our advice and chose a memory place for his keys. He decided to keep them on top of the washing machine. Now when he leaves for work, he goes right to his keys because he uses the laundry room door to get to and from his car. He no longer has any trouble remembering where he put his keys!

Our book is full of easy and practical strategies like memory places.

NMX: Thank you, now what about more serious brain-related health concerns like Alzheimer’s, or the link between brain aging and other diseases? Will readers find help in your book for these issues as well?

DR. SMALL: Definitely! Most people are terrified of developing dementia, or a cognitive decline that leaves a person dependent on others. The book provides easy-to-follow lifestyle techniques to protect the brain from Alzheimer’s and other dementias. We describe the role of genetics and how our everyday behavior can offset even genetic risks for the dementia. 

Although genetics contribute about a third of the risk for Alzheimer’s, they’re certainly not the whole story. When it comes to brain aging, mental stimulation, physical exercise, diet, and other healthy lifestyle habits have a stronger impact on keeping our brains young than genetics.

In 2 Weeks to a Younger Brain, Gigi and I share our latest tips and methods to prevent and reverse brain aging. None of us can change our genetics, but we can choose healthier behaviors that will help keep our brains young.

NMX: Dr. Small, Gigi just gave us a great example from the book about how not to lose your keys, while saving yourself from the frustration and negative emotions of everyday forgetfulness. Do you have another example for us?

DR. SMALL: Many people don’t realize that common over-the-counter medicines can impair their memory. Certain antihistamines and sleep medicines are prime examples. It turns out that these drugs contain chemicals that interfere with neurotransmitters in the brain that are necessary for memory to function correctly. Before taking any medicine, it’s essential to check with your doctor or pharmacist about any potential side effects.

Keeping your brain young and improving your memory can be as simple as reviewing the medicines you are taking now with your doctor. She can help you identify any possible drug interactions that can cause forgetfulness.

NMX: You know that’s such a great point, doctor. Most people — me included — tend to assume that if a medicine is available without a prescription, it must be safe! A final question, doctor — what sets 2 Weeks to a Younger Brain apart from all the other self-help books available today?

DR. SMALL:   Most self-help books focus on a particular problem like high blood pressure, diabetes, or heart issues. Others emphasize weight loss, exercise or youthful appearance. Listen, whatever motivates someone to live a healthier lifestyle, I’m all for it.

But 2 Weeks to a Younger Brain is truly unique. In the last 10 years, there have been remarkable advances in the science of brain health, and until we wrote this book, no one has yet translated these discoveries into a simple program that’s been shown to protect and improve mental function. Keeping our brains young is the key to living a longer and happier life. When readers get started on my 2-week program, they’ll notice almost immediate memory improvement. Memory defines who we are — without memory, we have no past, cannot plan for the future, and are unable to enjoy the present. Maintaining a healthy brain is really the key to a happy life.

NMX: Dr. Small and Gigi, I want to thank you both so much for your time today. I’m sure that our readers have found this enlightening. How can they learn more?

Gigi: Well, they can start by buying the book. Also, Newsmax Health has helped us prepare a series of short videos based on the book. Each one is just four or five minutes long, and shares many of our insights into preventing premature brain aging. The videos are free, and we’ve made them exclusively available on the Newsmax Health website.

NMX: Well that’s all the time we have for right now. To see more great tips from 2 Weeks to a Younger Brain by Dr. Gary Small and Gigi Vorgan, check out the listings right below this video. Thanks for watching!

A personal note from Gary and Gigi . . .

“We wrote this book for you. We wrote it to help make your brain and your life better. We were delighted to learn that our good friends at Newsmax Health have chosen to feature our book in today’s special offer. We invite you to take advantage of this opportunity to begin your own 14-day journey to a healthier, happier, and younger brain.”

 

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