Consumer Reports 4 Steps to Boost Brainpower Skip to main content Close Select your preferred language English عربى 简体中文 繁體中文 فارسي עִברִית 日本語 한국어 Русский Español Tagalog Menu Close Call 1-800-CEDARS-1 toggle search form Close Los Angeles, 31 August 2021 09:00 AM America/Los_Angeles Consumer Reports 4 Steps to Boost Brainpower Zaldy Tan, MD, MPH, is medical director of the Jona Goldrich Center for Alzheimer's and Memory Disorders at Cedars-Sinai. Photo by Cedars-Sinai. Consumer Reports recently featured Zaldy Tan, MD, MPH, medical director of the Jona Goldrich Center for Alzheimer's and Memory Disorders at Cedars-Sinai, in an article about key ways to boost brainpower and stay sharp as you age. Physical activity not only keeps the body fit but the mind as well. "We know that regular aerobic exercise boosts blood flow to your brain and also increases the size of your hippocampus, the part of your brain that's involved in verbal memory and learning," Tan told Consumer Reports. Tan advised aiming for 30 minutes of aerobic exercise most days, pointing out that even a simple walking program can lead to significant improvements for individuals who have been inactive. In fact, sedentary people age 55 and older can improve their thought processes in just six months by walking three times a week. Other strategies for boosting brainpower include eating a diet rich in produce, nuts, beans, whole grains and healthy fats from foods such as fatty fish and olive oil. Monitoring one's health also is important. Those who miss checkups and appointments can increase their risk of developing diseases like hypertension and Type 2 diabetes, which can damage blood vessels in the brain. Doing a favorite activity also can benefit the brain because people will be motivated to stick with it. Playing board games or card games and reading all can help lower the risk of dementia when done regularly. But Tan recommended pursuing these interests in person, when possible. "Virtual activities were a great way to stay connected during the pandemic, but there are other benefits to in-person events, like the fact that you'll walk around more and get more exercise," Tan told Consumer Reports. "This way, you incorporate several ways to keep your brain healthy." Click here to read the complete article from Consumer Reports. Related Stories RSS feed - Related Stories (opens in new window) View all headlines - Related Stories HealthDay Black Women Less Likely to Get Laparoscopic Fibroid Surgeries October 07, 2022 09:00 AM America/Los_Angeles HealthDay recently interviewed Rebecca J. Schneyer, MD, a resident in the Obstetrics and Gynecology Residency Program at Cedars-Sinai, about a study she led that found Black and Hispanic women were less likely than white women to receive minimally … Read more KCRW Want New Omicron Booster Wait at Least 2 Months After Last Shot October 06, 2022 09:00 AM America/Los_Angeles KCRW program Press Play recently featured Rita Shane, PharmD, vice president and chief pharmacy officer at Cedars-Sinai, discussing who qualifies for the updated COVID-19 booster and how long patients must wait before getting the shot.The Centers … Read more ABC 7 Spider-Man Swings by 4-Year-Old Leukemia Patient s Birthday Party at Cedars-Sinai September 30, 2022 09:00 AM America/Los_Angeles ABC 7 recently profiled Cedars-Sinai patient Jabari Henley, who celebrated his fourth birthday with a special superhero at Guerin Children's newly opened inpatient facility.The Lifedriven Foundation helped throw Henley a surprise party in the Guerin … Read more Show previous items Show next items Contact the Media Team Email: [email protected] Share this release Consumer Reports 4 Steps to Boost Brainpower Share on: Twitter Share on: Facebook Share on: LinkedIn Search Our Newsroom Social media Visit our Facebook page (opens in new window) Follow us on Twitter (opens in new window) Visit our Youtube profile (opens in new window) (opens in new window) Latest news 07 Oct 2022 - HealthDay Black Women Less Likely to Get Laparoscopic Fibroid Surgeries 07 Oct 2022 - Faculty Publications: Sept. 29-Oct. 6 07 Oct 2022 - Fine-Tuning Organ-Chip Technology 06 Oct 2022 - KCRW Want New Omicron Booster Wait at Least 2 Months After Last Shot 05 Oct 2022 - Cedars-Sinai Schedules Free Flu Vaccine Clinics 04 Oct 2022 - Cedars-Sinai Showcases Hispanic and Latinx Art Newsroom Home