Brain Fitness: The Chicago Tribune Thinks You Should Do Those Crosswords!

The debate over whether brain training can maintain mental sharpness goes on, and the Orlando Sentinel does a nice job summarizing the state of the art in "Boomers Focus On Memory Fitness." In part, we're seeing a lot of press because of Dr. Gary Small's new book, "The Longevity Bible." But as Small comments in the article, there does seem to be a growing mental fitness movement.

Sentinel reporter Kate Santich points out that aside from undertaking mentally challenging tasks, like puzzles, brain training experts say that key components of general health spill over to your mental capacity. You should:

• Exercise
• Eat right
• Don't stress
• Sleep

Dr. Zaldy S. Tan, director of The Memory Clinic at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, told the Tribune that "people in their 40s should start thinking about this ... the earlier you start taking preventive steps, the better."

After all, it can't hurt. And it may help.

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Tan co-authored "Age-Proof Your Mind: Detect, Delay, and Prevent Memory Loss -- Before It's Too Late."

If you have trouble with the Chicago Tribune link above, the story is also here.