For seniors who feel years younger than they really are, a new study suggests it might not be their imagination. “We found that people who feel younger have the structural characteristics of a younger brain,” explained lead author Jeanyung Chey. She is a professor in the department of psychology & program for brain sciences at…

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If you want to counter the physical costs of getting old, regular exercise might be your best option, researchers report. The findings “debunk the assumption that aging automatically makes us more frail,” said researcher Janet Lord. She is director of the Institute of Inflammation and Ageing at the University of Birmingham in England. In the…

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Putting just a bit less on your dinner plate each day might be key to a longer life, preliminary research suggests. People who reduced their caloric intake by just 15 percent over two years experienced a significant decrease in their metabolism, according to a small clinical trial. These folks also saw improvements in biomarkers associated…

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It’s well-known that exercise benefits the brain as well as the heart and muscles, but new research pinpoints just how much — and what types — of exercise may promote thinking skills as you age. Reviewing data from dozens of studies on older adults, scientists found that those who exercised an average of at least…

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Exercising may keep you young at heart. Researchers found that people who make regular exercise a lifelong habit appear to slow the aging of their heart and blood vessels. The finding stems from a comparison of exercise histories and heart health among 102 people over age 60. Those who had exercised two to three times…

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You go to the gym to make your muscles bigger, but what if you want to bulk up your brain to help you stay sharp? New research suggests you might want to head to the produce aisle. People who ate diets full of vegetables, fruits, nuts and fish had bigger brains than their less well-nourished…

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Can’t recall that word that’s on the tip of your tongue? Exercise might help. Physical activity is tied to a host of benefits. Now, a small study finds that healthy older people who exercise regularly have fewer problems with word retrieval. “Tip-of-the-tongue moments are very noticeable. They are irritating and embarrassing,” said lead researcher Katrien…

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Older adults, drink up. You need plenty of water during exercise so your brain gets the full benefits of working out, researchers say. “Middle-age and older adults often display a blunted thirst perception, which places them at risk for dehydration, and subsequently may reduce the cognitive [mental] health-related benefits of exercise,” said Brandon Yates, of…

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Older adults, drink up. You need plenty of water during exercise so your brain gets the full benefits of working out, researchers say. “Middle-age and older adults often display a blunted thirst perception, which places them at risk for dehydration, and subsequently may reduce the cognitive [mental] health-related benefits of exercise,” said Brandon Yates, of…

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Balance exercises can help prevent falls, especially among older adults. But before you begin any exercise program, always consult your doctor. The American Council on Exercise mentions these common balance exercises for active older adults: Side X Balance Reach — Stand on the right leg and lean the body toward the right. Point the right…

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