The Positive Link Between Brain Training and Fighting Alzheimer’s

            According to the Alzheimer’s Association increasing brain activity can lead to stronger brain vitality and strengthen the brain’s reserve of brain cells and connections. The Alzheimer’s Association recommends everyone, not just those already diagnosed, to keep a healthy brain functioning lifestyle.  Alzheimer’s is a serious disease that affects one in every eight people in America (Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures, Alzheimer’s Association, alz.org).

     One way they suggest is the use of puzzles (Stay Mentally Healthy, Alzheimer’s Association, alz.org)! The National Academy of Sciences reported that individuals who do not keep their brain active had a 250% increased chance of developing Alzheimer’s (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences in the United States). 

   Brainteasers and puzzles can be seen as a gym for the brain. Just like muscles and bodies’ needs weights and machines to constantly stretch and build muscles, the brain needs tools to keep itself in shape. People ought to stay away from inactive situations such as prolonged viewing of television where the brain can be a state of semi-consciousness and not learning or stretching the mind. Also, while there are many programs offered online to keep the brain fit, they can often be very expensive with costly monthly subscriptions. An aesthetically pleasing puzzle is a one time purchase that will always keep challenging the mind in addition to also serving as a beautiful decorative art piece.

    One of the most frustrating things about Alzheimer’s is a lack of a cure. Once it has been diagnosed it is often too late to reverse completely. That is the bad news. But the good news is that it is believed that Alzheimer’s can be avoided if not pushed off for a very long time. The key to that is mental exercise. And more mental exercise.  If one has already been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or dementia, brain training through the use of puzzles can help the brain in the fight against these diseases.

      It is also important to note that just like a gym, when the muscles become used to repetition, they no longer benefit from the same exercises. The same is for the brain. It needs to be constantly challenged. With puzzles that allow for endless creativity, this becomes no longer a problem, because the brain and the individual’s innovation for new designs, that constantly serves as a driver of new challenges.