AARP Can Help Boost Your Brain Health Advocacy

AARP Is Good for Your Brain Health

AARP provides brain-health information you can trust

Dmitrii Kotin/Istock Keeping the brain healthy is a key component to living our best lives. When a big-time health worry meets an information void, it can make some pretty wacky stuff start to sound almost sensible. Nowhere is this truer than with our anxiety about the health of our — which emerged, in an , as our members' top area of concern.

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— Receive access to exclusive information, benefits and discounts Keeping the brain healthy is a key component to living our best lives, especially because nearly everyone over age 50 wants to live independently for as long as possible, without becoming a burden to loved ones.

They're eager for reliable information, but what they find is a sea of conflicting claims, pseudoscience and information chaos. The quickest internet browse unearths no end of oddball ideas — such as: Sniffing basil can boost your brainpower. Or coconut oil can cure Alzheimer's disease. Or standing on your head can sharpen your memory. How can we protect our brains and avoid being taken in by worthless advice that often literally comes at a high price? Supplements that promise to boost brainpower are a billion-dollar business, but research has yet to prove their value.

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Write to Eric J. Schneidewind at AARP, 601 E St. NW, Washington, DC 20049, or email . How do we distinguish something that works from something that doesn't? Fortunately, common sense is a good start for making one's way in the information maze. And AARP provides you can trust, that is on the side of science. Through relationships with key experts in the field, we have developed and resources that reflect the latest thinking in scientific research. The research suggests that could positively affect your brain health, and we address five main areas that have been shown to support the brain: staying physically active; challenging your brain in new ways by continuing to learn; getting enough sleep and keeping stress levels down, to allow your brain to relax and recharge; getting the proper nutrients through a healthy diet; and staying socially active by interacting with friends, family and your community. Learn more at aarp.org/health/brain-health. In short, what's good for your brain is also what's good for your overall health. Meanwhile, we'll be on the lookout for any proof that sniffing basil makes you sharper. Eric J. Schneidewind is AARP National Officers President Cancel You are leaving AARP.org and going to the website of our trusted provider. The provider’s terms, conditions and policies apply. Please return to AARP.org to learn more about other benefits. Your email address is now confirmed. You'll start receiving the latest news, benefits, events, and programs related to AARP's mission to empower people to choose how they live as they age. You can also by updating your account at anytime. You will be asked to register or log in. Cancel Offer Details Disclosures

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