Prescription for fighting dementia by Dr. Sanjay Gupta

Sanjay Gupta is in his daily work as a neurosurgeon when he is not at CNN, which provides the latest information on coronavirus. “I have been in a romantic relationship with my brain for many years,” he said.

“You are a brain surgeon. What does it feel like to have in your hand?” Asked Dr. John Rapook, Chief Medical Correspondent on CBS News.

“I first had my brain surgery nearly 30 years ago, and it was a mystical experience,” Dr. Gupta replied. “I can’t believe these 3.5 pounds are everything to us. All our pain, all our joy, all our memories, all our learning, everything.”

And in his spare time, Dr. Gupta wrote a book about the brain. “Keep sharp” – Specifically, how to keep it in shape. [The book is published by Simon & Schuster, a part of ViacomCBS.]

For Dr. Gupta, that’s personal. “In many ways, this story started when my grandfather developed Alzheimer’s disease. It was what I saw as a teenager and really stuck to me. This is probably a lifelong attempt. I did. Understand how to prevent it from happening to me or anyone else. “

Over 5 million Americans suffer from Alzheimer’s disease, the most common cause of dementia.

“One of the biggest fears my patients have is developing dementia,” said Dr. Rapook. They came and said, “What do you know? I can think of someone’s name. I couldn’t. I know them very well. In the middle of the sentence, I lost my thought flow. ”So how do you know the difference between normal aging changes and the onset of dementia? Can you do it? “

“This is the topic of conversation # 1 at our home,” said Dr. Gupta. “Because my parents used to ask me this question all the time, and now my wife and I always ask each other this question.” Am I starting to forget more? ”

“People always lose keys when it comes to discovering whether something is normal and not anomalous, if they don’t remember exactly what those keys are for. It becomes more unusual. “

The changes in the brain that lead to Alzheimer’s disease begin decades before symptoms appear.

“Even if you are destined to develop Alzheimer’s disease in the future, there is a suggestion that if the blood vessels in your brain are wide open, you can do everything you can to keep your heart healthy. There are a few. Can it actually push it away and actually delay it? “Dr. Rapook asked.

“I don’t think we can say it now. I don’t think we could say it five or ten years ago, but with lifestyle changes that can completely slow the progression of dementia. There are things you can do, and even vice versa. “

Dr. Gupta said it is important to carry out activities that create “cognitive reserve” in the brain. This is a new area of ​​nerve growth and wiring that can regain slack if needed.

Now let’s get down to it. What is the prescription for fighting dementia as miraculous medicine is not imminent?

Let’s start with exercise. In this way, what is good for the heart is good for the brain.

Dr. Gupta said, “When you move, it’s like you’re signaling your body and brain.’I want to stay here. I’m not ready to go!’ The brain specifically releases. What to do [are] These things called neurotrophins. These good chemicals are like nourishing your brain. “

“In the United States, many of us travel at 100 mph, but so many people travel in a sitting position without moving,” says Dr. La Pook.

“As you know, people keep saying,’Sitting is a new smoking.’ Every time you try to sit,’I necessary “Sit down.” “And try to move moderately all day. It’s very effective in measuring what it does to the brain and what it does to the brain.”

“And there is a simple habit you can do. For example, use the stairs instead of the elevator.”

“It takes months or years to change your mind,” said Dr. Gupta. “The brain can change as follows: It.. ”

How about a diet? You’ve probably heard about that too. Reduce lean meats, reduce processed foods, and increase vegetables and fruits. In particular, Dr. Gupta refers to certain fruits. “They always say John.” When it comes to the brain, I think it’s Berry. Berries are probably one of your best foods in terms of what you can do with your brain and some of these particular chemicals they release. “

Do you have berries? “Any berry …. Let’s jump into the berry!”

How about working directly on your thinking skills? Crossword puzzle? video game? If anything, what works?

Dr. Gupta said, “There is nothing against crossword puzzles, video games, brain training games, etc. I think it’s great. I play crossword puzzles, play the piano, and repeat it over and over again. The practice will be perfect. It’s absolutely true, but it’s Change It builds elasticity. Needs change.

“So I’m not just doing crossword puzzles. The way I think is that if I can somehow get out of the comfort zone every day, I’m probably taking advantage of other real estate in my brain.” If not, use it very often. Do something that scares you every day!Whatever the metaphor, whatever works, just do something different.. Learn new skills. I remember talking to neuroscientists who said, “Tonight, if you’re right-handed, eat dinner with your left hand.”

Another way to get a good night’s sleep is to get a good night’s sleep. There are so-called “garbage collection cells” that help remove toxins from the brain. And while you sleep, the memories of the day are processed.

“Our knowledge of the importance of sleep has really changed over the last few years, isn’t it just a matter of charging the battery, isn’t it?” Dr. Rapuk said.

“Sleep is a very sophisticated activity, so we spend a third of our lives,” Dr. Gupta replied. “The brain is a very complex organ. When you go to bed at night, you integrate what you have experienced all day into your memory. If you don’t do what you need, why do you even have it? Do you remember them? I? We are learning that our brain is constantly undergoing this “rinse cycle” at night. “

You don’t have to look for anything other than your friends and family to find one of the best ways to fight dementia.

“We know that social interaction is very important,” said Dr. Gupta. “We are social creatures. We know that there are certain neurochemicals that are released when we actually touch and see someone in person.

“In terms of putting everything together for brain health, the best overall thing you can do is take a lively walk with your close friends and talk about your problem.”

why? “In a lively walk, you are incorporating movement. You are doing it with friends: you are incorporating social connections. It will be this beautiful not only for relationships, but also for the brain. I will. “

Of course, the coronavirus means it’s a little harder to see your friends up close now. However, as Americans are beginning to be vaccinated against COVID, the time may be approaching when they can survive the pandemic.

Dr. Rapuk asked, “What do people want to know, if not normal, when do they return to normal?”

“I think we’ll start returning to normal much sooner than people understand, and I think it’s probably the end of mid-spring, it’ll start to feel much more normal,” Dr. Gupta said. It was. “Things start to open. People will go out and do more.

“I have three teenage girls. I think they’ll be back in school next fall. I may be wrong, but that’s where things seem to be going. “

So here’s the New Year’s resolution for you, as we look forward to getting out of isolation: think about doing something for your brain.

“Empathy, kindness, compassion-they do a lot to everyone’s brain, right?” Dr. Rapook asked.

“They are the ultimate nutrients for the brain,” Dr. Gupta replied. “Every sight you see, every sound you hear, everything you touch, everything you feel, whatever it is, through taste, emotions, empathy, through these connections with people, the experience you have It’s all nourishing the brain, which is really good for the brain.

“That’s why we live.”

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A story produced by Alan Gold. Editor: Ed Givenish.