Live Healthy, Age Healthy Blog - Sharon Horesh Bergquist, MD

Preventing Alzheimer’s: How the MIND diet may help protect your brain

April 25, 2015 by Sharon Horesh Bergquist Leave a Comment

Although several genes have been associated with Alzheimer’s disease, a growing body of research is showing that lifestyle factors, including your diet, can significantly influence your risk of developing Alzheimer’s.

Earlier this week, The Wall Street Journal reported on the MIND diet, the latest in the arsenal for improving how your brain ages.

Developed by researchers at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, the Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) diet borrows elements from the heart healthy Mediterranean diet and the blood pressure lowering DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet. Continue Reading...

7 “Secrets” to Adding Years to Your Life

April 9, 2015 by Sharon Horesh Bergquist Leave a Comment

The quest for the fabled fountain that promises youth for anyone who drinks from its waters may be the stuff of legends—yet, you can drink from the “secrets” of people who live exceptionally long, healthy lives.

So, are these people simply blessed with good genes? Or have they figured out how to turn back the clock?

For these inspirational individuals, the habits and traits they share in common have trumped their genes—and learning from them can help you increase your number of productive and fulfilling years. Even better, while the lessons you can learn from centenarians may be “cutting edge” science, the steps you need to take to follow in their path are ironically as simple good old fashion motherly advice! Continue Reading...

The 6 Most Common Myths About Aging–Debunked

March 25, 2015 by Sharon Horesh Bergquist Leave a Comment

By now, you have probably heard that 70 is the new 50 (or whatever decade you want to plug in)!

But what can you learn from this new breed of age-defying, physically active, mentally sharp, and emotionally fulfilled older adults?

In one word: OPTIMISM

Healthy octogenarians and even centenarians are proving that “normal” aging is different from what we once thought.

Growing older is no longer about what you lose but just as much about what you can gain. In this new view of old age, you can realistically expect enjoying life physically, emotionally, and spiritually into your 80’s, 90’s, and beyond. Continue Reading...