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Research is disproving myths about the aging-cognition link: that aging results in irreversible mental decline and that dementia is universal and inevitable.

High levels of cognitive functioning and performance can be maintained and even improved throughout the lifespan.

Intelligence and short term memory

Some cognitive functions are more at risk to decline through aging than others. Short term memory & fluid intelligence – our on-the-spot reasoning, flexible thinking and problem solving ability – are at risk functions.

Short term memory and fluid intelligence are related cognitively. They are based on two brain structures: the prefrontal cortex and the hippocampus. It is known that the aging process targets both these brain structures more than others. Their volumes typically reduce with age with brain cell death. But this effect can be counteracted.
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HighIQPro brain training directly targets these brain areas, preventing cognitive aging.

• increasing short-term memory capacity
• improving fluid intelligence and problem solving ability
• stimulating brain cell growth

Additional strategies for staying sharp as we age

Brain training, brain foods and exercise work synergistically, tapping into common cellular pathways for brain plasticity, learning and memory. Brain training can include anything that challenges and stimulates the brain, including brain teasers.

Physical exercise

Three behaviors — smoking, poor diet, and physical inactivity – were the root causes of over 1 in 3 of all U.S. deaths in 2000!

Regular physical exercise (walking, jogging, cycling, swimming, yoga) is effective in

• the prevention of hyper-tension, heart disease, cancer, type II diabetes, osteoporosis and depression.
• stimulating brain cell growth  in the hippocampus and maintain brain function and cognitive efficiency throughout the lifespan.
• Regular exercise on some measures results in 2-3 times as many new neurons being produced by the brain.

A physically active lifestyle can help prevent loss of cognitive efficiency with aging and neuro-degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s.

Brain nutrition

A diet high in saturated fat and sugar not only increases risk of cardio-vascular disease and cancer, but sharply reduces the brain’s production of new neurons and speeds up cognitive aging.

Several natural brain foods or brain supplements have been shown in laboratory tests to promote brain cell growth, improve brain function and reduce cognitive aging.

Creatine brain supplement – which helps provide a steady fuel supply to both brain and muscle cells – has been shown to be a particularly effective natural brain supplement to counter cognitive aging and maintain good brain and body metabolism in older age. You can find more information on creatine here.