Is there anything I can do to make my mind sharper, faster? My gray matter appears to be working fine, but I want to be even faster on my feet. Any exercises I can do to get the mental edge?

ANSWER:

Absolutely. You can improve your mind’s capacity -- to a degree -- through mental exercise.

We’ve done a lot of studies on memory training and memory performance. The brain is like a muscle in a sense that you can build better efficiency and better accuracy through working out. The key is to make the exercises fun and engaging. It’s been proven, for instance, that surgeons who play video games make fewer errors in the operating room because of the mental activity.

But before you pick up a game console, consider the many new technologies and programs specifically designed to sharpen your brain. Try the simple memory games on the Radica Brain Games hand-held system; on the higher end, there’s also the Brain Fitness System by Dakim.

Like in sports, it’s important to cross-train and not strain. Maybe do crosswords one day and a Sudoku puzzle the next. The other key to keeping your brain healthy is eating habits: A heart-healthy diet is also a brain-healthy diet. Minimize fats from red meats, and reduce fast foods and processed foods.

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