Age-Proof Your Mind

Explaining why the brain begins to get sluggish and slow, causing us to forget things, Tan touches upon several important aspects of memory loss such as Alzheimer's, dementia and various other health issues that can cause memory loss.  Tan also educates the reader on the importance of exercise, healthy diet and the effects that abusing your body can have on your memory, as well as your overall health.

The first few chapters focus primarily on the brain explaining how it functions and, more importantly, how it begins to slow down and shortchange us as we age.  Other chapters focus on the many studies done to prove that memory can indeed be preserved.  The reader learns about the health benefits of vitamin E, Omega 3, exercise, green tea, and mustard greens, whilst also touching on the apparent link between aluminum and Alzheimer's.  Tan also draws attention to the importance of the hormone estrogen and the effect it has on our memories. 

The book includes numerous recipes that utilize all of the healthy ingredients pertinent to maintaining memory, while also listing the calorie, fat, carbohydrate and vitamin values. 

Tan also focuses on the future of Alzheimer's disease and the advance progress that is being made in terms of a cure.   

The main focus of the book, however, is the series of exercises Tan suggests to promote an active, healthy memory.  The plan, aimed at the reader, prescribes practice on a daily basis in order to keep the mind and memory strong.  Personally I enjoyed these exercises, and many of the questions required some careful thought (examples include: which way is Lincoln facing on a penny? Which color light is at the top of the traffic signal?

This is an excellent self-help book for anyone, of any age, who wishes to maintain the best possible overall health of their memory.

© 2006 Dana Vigilante

Dana Vigilante is a hospice educator as well as an advocate for proper end-of-life care and a certified bereavement group facilitator. Currently writing a book based on interviews with terminally ill hospice patients, she divides her time between New Jersey and San Francisco.