One new case of dementia will soon be diagnosed every 4 seconds, and it will be the most common neurodegenerative disorder in the country. While we enjoy lower rates of cardiovascular disease and certain cancers than a generation ago, the numbers are going in the other direction when it comes to brain-related impairment. Dr. Gupta avoids most supplements. I tell patients to follow the SHARP dietary protocol: Slash sugar; Hydrate (even being dehydrated a few ounces can affect cognition); Add more omega-3 fatty acids from foods like cold-water fish, nuts, and seeds; Reduce portion; and Plan ahead. The New York Times bestselling author of Chasing Life, Cheating Death, Monday Mornings, and Keep Sharp, Dr. Gupta lives in Atlanta, where he works as an associate professor of neurosurgery at the Emory University School of Medicine. Now, globetrotting neurosurgeon Dr. Sanjay Gupta offers insights from top scientists all over the world, whose cutting-edge research can help you heighten and protect brain function and maintain cognitive health at any age. “We’re seeing evidence that lifestyle changes can significantly improve brain health and even reverse brain disease,” he says. Keep your brain healthy and sharp—at any age—with this science-driven guide from neurosurgeon and CNN chief medical correspondent Sanjay Gupta. Keep Sharp also offers more in depth explanation of how the brain works and how simple changes truly can make a difference. Every time you are about to sit, ask yourself: Could I stay standing instead? Drawing from the latest research, Gupta addresses everything from the role of a whole-food diet to the importance of building new friendships to keep your neurons active. The former can be slowed down and the latter can be avoided. Dementia is not a normal part of aging and older people are not doomed to forget things. 12 Fish That Are Stuffed to the Gills With Protein, This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. This book offers an action plan that can be implemented today. Now, globetrotting neurosurgeon Dr. Sanjay Gupta offers insights from top scientists all over the world, whose cutting-edge research can help you heighten and protect brain function and maintain cognitive health at any age. Not anymore. Keep your brain young, healthy, and sharp with this science-driven guide to protecting your mind from decline by neurosurgeon and CNN chief medical correspondent Sanjay Gupta. However, it’s not deterministic, and experts are divided on whether it’s worth getting tested for it, because your lifestyle and habits influence your brain health more than genetics, says Dr. Gupta. It's never too late to boost your brain with exercise, Keeping your brain fit, by a USA Memory Champion. “From my own trial and error, it’s too hard to just sit down one day and ask: What is my purpose?” In researching his new book, he typically found that actions preceded thought. Doctors call this the “entourage effect,” and it’s why real food, like fish, is better than supplements, like fish-oil capsules, for brain health. It's like an approaching storm that is still way off in the distance, taking decades before memory, thinking and behavior are affected. Dr. Sanjay Gupta has the unique ability to translate the latest scientific research into accessible language we can all understand. And the good news is that we have the tools to do this. About 47 million Americans have some evidence of preclinical Alzheimer’s disease, which means their brains show signs of adverse changes, but symptoms have not yet developed. According to the best available evidence, significant upgrades can be made to the brain within just 12 weeks. Just move. After years of losing sleep over my globetrotting reporting of natural disasters and wars, I prioritize slumber now and sweat it out regularly because I know what the science says. Learn New Brain Skills, Sanjay Gupta Advises, To 'Keep Sharp' : Shots - Health News CNN's chief medical correspondent says it's never too late … Throughout our life, we look for ways to keep our mind sharp and effortlessly productive. Immutable, impenetrable, indecipherable and unable to be changed or improved. Over the last year, I have seen a movement gather steam unlike I have ever seen before. We thought of the heart that way, and some other organs, but the brain was always this black box.”. Keep your brain young, healthy, and sharp with this science-driven guide to protecting your mind from decline by neurosurgeon and CNN chief medical correspondent Sanjay Gupta. As things stand now, 47 million Americans have some evidence of preclinical Alzheimer's disease, which means their brains show the signs of dementia but they feel and think fine. Truth is, this past year has resulted in a decade's worth of memories for me. These patients can show signs of the illness as early as their 30s, and many choose to enter clinical trials to help doctors better understand it. The combination of both a public health crisis and a tumultuous election has pushed a lot of limits in our mental wellbeing. Typical age-related changes in the brain are not the same as changes that are caused by disease. And when you can see people in person, focus on eye contact; it's more important than ever to ease the stress of masked faces. In his new book, “Keep Sharp: Build a Better Brain at Any Age,” Sanjay Gupta starts with bad news. In his spare time, he does triathlons (of course) and meditates (duh! Accomplishing this is well within my reach, and starts with a basic truth: Unlike most any other organ in the body, our brains are not pre-ordained to wither away, lose power, blunt their edge or, worst of all, become forgetful. Our product picks are editor-tested, expert-approved. We may earn a commission through links on our site. People often ask me whether they should get tested for the Alzheimer’s genes. This virtual event was provided by Sixth and I in Washington, D.C. “I used to train very solitary, but walking more with friends has really changed my brain health. He advises using the Global Council on Brain Health’s framework to prioritize what to eat. I can feel it.”. Instead of spending time passively using a computer screen to binge-watch shows or scroll aimlessly through the internet, use that time in virtual chats with friends and family. A lot has happened in brain medicine since I got started in the field more than 20 years ago. CNN chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta says that will also improve your brain health. (CNN)Ten months into the pandemic, I turned 51 and did the math: I'm entering the final third of my life. And that memory loss and brain atrophy are not inevitable? (Both admit that meditation is hard.) And, when it became clear that Covid-19 was causing neurological deficits, from minor ones like temporary loss of smell and brain fog to more serious symptoms of a stroke, my worlds of brain surgeon and medical correspondent collided. Throughout our life, we look for ways to keep our mind sharp and effortlessly productive. Throughout our life, we look for ways to keep our mind sharp and effortlessly productive. Dr. Gupta experienced this firsthand when he cut added sugar from his diet for a 60 Minutes story and saw his “cognitive day” (how long you can be productive) increase. By Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN Chief Medical Correspondent, CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta is a practicing neurosurgeon and the author of the new book "Keep Sharp: Build a Better Brain at Any Age.". Even in well-constructed trials, however, the same result came back repeatedly. As for the more common late-onset Alzheimer’s, the APOE4 gene can raise your risk two to 12 times. Dr. Gupta practices analytical meditation, a technique he learned from the Dalai Lama himself. Whether you’re concerned about memory loss or simply want to boost your mental acuity, Keep Sharp is an essential guide.” —Gary Small, MD, Director, UCLA Longevity Center It is a frightening prospect that should also motivate us to redouble our efforts to control overall risk factors for dementia and make our brains as resilient and sharp as possible. Anderson talks with Dr. Gupta about keeping your brain sharp, Why losing weight might protect you from Covid-19, New diet can save lives and the planet, study says, Here's why you can't stop eating pizza, ice cream and chocolate chip cookies, These foods aren't as healthy as you think, Keep Sharp: Build a Better Brain at Any Age, Covid-19's effects include seizures and movement disorders -- even in some moderate cases, study finds, For the first time, scientists can see how the brain records our memories as we sleep, Age-proof your brain by keeping your heart healthy, study says, Get up off that couch! “That may go further in terms of the benefit of movement on your brain than even going to the gym. Besides continuing to operate at the hospital, I have been reporting around the clock from my windowless home basement on every aspect of the novel coronavirus -- how it moves, the molecular keys it uses to gain entry, and what havoc it causes after entering the cells of the human body. They might help you excel at that, but they won't necessarily keep your brain sharp in any general sense. This pre-clinical time, however, is a golden window during which we can significantly optimize our brains to improve its functionality, boost its neuronal networks, stimulate the growth of new neurons and help stave off age-related brain illnesses. It’s a brain trifecta: moving, socializing, and releasing stress. Sanjay Gupta has the unique ability to translate the latest scientific research into accessible language we can all understand. Most people ages 34 to 75 understand the vital importance of brain health but also have no idea how to make their brains healthier or realize that it is even possible. Take a brisk walk with a friend and talk about your problems. Here he shares his favorite tips and strategies—basically, what to do with your body, your meals, and your mental energy—for keeping your brain sharp. It’s an evidence-based exploration of the latest science on brain health and what tactics are working for Dr. Gupta himself. Throughout our life, we look for ways to keep our mind sharp and effortlessly productive. When I finally get on the phone with Sanjay Gupta, M.D., in March, after he has rescheduled three times because he’s prepping for CNN’s first COVID-19 town hall, he’s relieved to be talking about something positive: brain science. Ten months into the pandemic, I turned 51 and did the math: I'm entering the final third of my life. It is true that absence of evidence does not necessarily mean evidence of absence. Within months of first identifying this novel virus, a global consortium of research scientists was established to study the relationship between Covid-19 and the brain. I discover—which really engages all parts of the brain—and I kind of find my purpose in there as well by spending time with people, understanding their lives and letting them in on mine.” Research shows that individuals with large social networks are better protected against the cognitive declines related to Alzheimer’s than those with smaller networks. Keep your brain healthy and sharp with this science-driven guide for protecting your mind from decline by neurosurgeon and CNN chief medical correspondent Sanjay Gupta. They believe their fate is baked into their DNA and nothing can be done to change that. Dr Gupta's book, Keep Sharp, adds another depth of self-treatment and prevention which I truly believe will make a difference. A better strategy, in addition to playing mind-bending games on your own, is to engage with others and work on your relationships. In my role as a doctor and public educator, I've noticed that people tend to have a limited view of what their brains are capable of doing as they age, and the power they have to make themselves better, faster, fitter and, yes, sharper. How to keep your brain sharp, including brain-healthy foods and other lifestyle moves, according to neurosurgeon and CNN correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta. As someone who has had a love affair with the brain since I was a teenager, I admit that I'm biased, but I whole heartedly believe that all roads to health and happiness start with the brain. Throughout our life, we look for ways to keep our mind sharp and effortlessly productive. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. Throughout our life, we look for ways to keep our mind sharp and effortlessly productive. Among other things, these scientists are also re-examining a provocative idea: the possibility that certain infections raise the risk of cognitive decline and even the most common, dreaded form of dementia, Alzheimer's disease. I have seen it over and over again in patients I've treated and people I've encountered in my work as a journalist. A quarter of Americans over 50 take "brain-boosting" supplements, but after two years of investigating, I could find little proof they improve memory, sharpen attention and focus, or prevent cognitive decline or dementia, no matter what the manufacturers claim. He keeps weights in his bedroom and has a pullup bar in his office. Now, globetrotting neurosurgeon Dr. Sanjay Gupta offers insights from top scientists all over the world, whose cutting-edge research can help you heighten and protect … And completing crossword puzzles may not keep your brain young either. Now he prioritizes them: His house is like Grand Central for his friends, his wife’s friends, plus his three daughters’ friends and their parents. There are habits you should develop and make your own, while also learning what to avoid. “Doing those three things ends up measurably detoxifying your brain,” Dr. Gupta says. Another recent finding in science has been that the strength of our relationships is much more essential to our health -- and healthspan, or how long we live in good health -- than previously recognized. It's moments like these, however, when anxieties and uncertainties run high, that I take comfort in knowing there are things I can control. This content is imported from {embed-name}. Sugar in excess can be toxic, causing neurons to die and possibly triggering cognitive decline. They are matchless medicine we can't get elsewhere. These strategies may sound extraordinarily simple and perhaps quaint, but they work. To protect your brain, you need to control your blood sugar. In order for my plan to work, however, I have to invest in my brain now to ensure that it stays sharp into ripe old age, even if my body starts to betray me. Neurosurgeon Dr. Sanjay Gupta On How To 'Keep Sharp' : Fresh Air CNN's chief medical correspondent says it's never too late to develop new brain pathways. Your brain is command central for itself and the body, and it is possible to make your brain sharper than it has ever been in the past. Keep your brain young, healthy, and sharp with this science-driven guide to protecting your mind from decline by neurosurgeon and CNN chief medical correspondent Sanjay Gupta. 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But what if I told you that most of what we believed about the brain at the beginning of this century has already been proven wrong or incomplete? “Wherever I am, I have running shoes, a swimsuit, and resistance bands,” says Dr. Gupta. Anderson Cooper and Dr. Sanjay Gupta talk about brain health in the age of Covid-19 and Dr. Gupta's new book "Keep Sharp: How To Build … “We often mistake thirst for hunger,” says Dr. Gupta. There’s power in forging a sense of purpose, says Dr. Gupta. Dr. Gupta carries a 60-ounce water bottle with him and aims to finish it each day. Unfortunately, crosswords flex only one part of your brain, which is word finding (also called fluency). They help us feel comfortable with our surroundings, connect the past with the present, and provide a framework for the future. Sleep tidies memory while physical activity pumps out substances in the brain that act like a fertilizer on brain cells for their growth and survival. Unless you are deficient in a particular nutrient, vitamins do not take the place of real food, and some can even be harmful. This New Collab Has the Coolest Winter Gear, This Pushup Dropset Builds All-Angles Muscle, 'It's a Sin' Offers Better Sex Ed Than High School, 9 Delicious Snacks That Are Great for Your Heart, The Greatest Pullup Bars You Can Get Right Now. Real food contains a multitude of components that help beneficial ingredients (such as omega-3 fatty acids) travel through your body or even help unlock receptors so those beneficial ingredients can do their jobs. The 50-year-old is best known for his CNN gig, but he’s also a practicing neurosurgeon at the Emory University School of Medicine, removing tumors and clipping aneurysms inside that black box, often while listening to the Gipsy Kings. If you want to get tested, do so under the guidance of your physician and a genetic counselor. ), and he’s working on his fourth book, Keep Sharp: Build a Better Brain at Any Age, due out early next year. No one can predict the future, but each one of us can do our part to plan for a long and mentally sharp, resilient one. “I saw social activities and things like that as very much an indulgence for most of my life,” Dr. Gupta says. Here’s what I say: First off, although about a quarter of Alzheimer’s patients have a strong family history of the disease, 1 percent or less inherited a gene that causes early-onset Alzheimer’s. Productivity A Neurosurgeon Says the Sharpest Minds Do These 5 Things Daily CNN chief medical correspondent Sanjay Gupta shares his top five tips to keeping your brain sharp. This helps you isolate the problem from your emotions and solve it logically, he says. I know that sounds grim, and I am hoping to get more time than that, but I often do these mental calculations because the clock of life inspires me to make the most of the years that remain. Keep Sharp Neurosurgeon and CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta talked about improving and maintaining brain health. Up until recently, we used to think the brain was largely fixed with a certain number of brain cells, and as the years wear on, the neurons die off, the networks dim, and things like memory and processing speed take a hit. “That may not sound that significant, except that we really never thought of the brain that way until recently. Now, globetrotting neurosurgeon Dr. Sanjay Gupta offers insight… Sanjay Gupta has the unique ability to translate the latest scientific research into accessible language we can all understand. Throughout our life, we look for ways to keep our mind sharp and effortlessly productive. Back then, the idea of improving my own brain seemed like a misguided quest. A 2020 study found no association between actively engaging in leisure activities at age 56 and the incidence of dementia over the following 18 years. In his new book, "Keep Sharp," CNN's Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta advises putting more focus on the control center of the body: our brain. Here's how to make it happen: “Every time I’m about to sit, I ask myself: Do I need to sit right now?” Dr. Gupta says. This allows us to continually learn new skills and explore new hobbies that are stimulating, de-stressing, and rewarding -- all good things for staying sharp.