If those "mad moments"— when you can’t recall what your friend has told you or where you left your keys—are becoming more frequent, mental exercises and a healthy brain diet may help.
Just as bodies require more maintenance with the passing years, so do brains, which scientists now know show signs of aging as early as the 20s and 30s. "Brain aging starts at a very young age, younger than any of us have imagined and these processes continue gradually over the years," said Dr. Gary Small, the director of the Center on Aging at the University of California, Los Angeles. "I’m convinced that it is never too early to get started on a mental or brain-fitness program," he added.
In his book, "The Memory Bible," the 51-year-old neuroscientist lists what he refers to as the 10 commandments for keeping the brain young. They include training memory, building skills, minimizing stress, mental exercises, brain food and a healthy lifestyle. It’s a plan for keeping brain cells sparking and neural networks in tip-top shape.
"Misplacing your keys a couple of times doesn’t mean you should start labeling your cabinets. Memory loss is not an inevitable consequence of aging. Our brains can fight back," he said.
Small provides the weapons for a full-scale attack. According to him, memory tests give an indication of what you are up against and tools such as look, snap and connect are designed to make sure that important things such as names and dates are never forgotten. "So if you want to learn names and faces, for example, you meet Mrs. Beatty and you notice a distinguishing facial feature, maybe a prominent eyebrow," said Small. "You associate the first thing that comes to mind. I think of the actor Warren Beatty so I create a mental snapshot of Warren Beatty kissing her brow. "
Small admits it may sound a bit strange but he says it works. " Mental exercises could be anything from doing crossword puzzles and writing with your left hand if you are right handed or learning a language. It could be anything that is fun that people enjoy doing", he added.
He also recommends physical exercise, a low-fat diet and eating foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as fish, walnuts and Brazil nuts, and fruits and vegetables high in antioxidants (抗氧化剂) including blueberries and onions in addition to reducing stress.
The "mad moments" in the first paragraph refers to when we ______.