Dr. Ann

The flood of new science from the past decade extolling the benefits of exercise for brain health are simply mind-blowing. Thanks to Columbia University researchers, we have yet another study to add to our “exercise for brain health” archive. After following the exercise habits of 1,238 elderly subjects over a six-year period of time, investigators […]

The importance of optimal sleep in terms of health and quality of life cannot be overstated.  Inadequate sleep has been consistently linked to a growing list of modern day ills including weight gain, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, emotional disorders and metabolic syndrome.  According to a new study, it appears to be a major “brain […]

Worried about your memory?  I have some promising news from 2 new studies.  In the first, scientists gave a dietary supplement of DHA, the omega 3 fat that comprises much of the solid structure of the brain, to a group of healthy older adults who met the criteria for age-related cognitive decline.  A second group […]

The wicked ways of trans fats have struck again! Based on a provocative new report involving over 12,000 European adults followed over a 6 year period of time, scientists concluded that those consuming the most trans fats were nearly 50 %!! more likely to develop depression vs. those who did not consume this man-made fat.  […]

    If you enjoy carrots, celery, bell peppers, olive oil and rosemary, you would be wise to include them in your diet more often.  These already great-for-you foods are uniquely high in the plant compound luteolin.  In a new laboratory study, this plant chemical proved to be very effective at quieting the damaging brain inflammation […]

Being physically active at any stage of life is beneficial for maintaining a sharp mind, but being physically active during the teen years proved to be the most effective for preventing age-related cognitive decline in this new study.  (Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, June 2010) People in their 70’s who regularly engaged in moderate […]

Did you know that one of the most powerful dietary strategies available to guard and protect your health is to eat foods that keep the level of inflammation in your body low?  Well, it’s true – because we now know that inflammation is a key driver of almost all forms of chronic disease. Thankfully there […]

At this point in science, the only proven means to slow the aging process (at least in laboratory animals) is chronic caloric deprivation.  Indeed, animal studies have shown repeatedly that decreasing caloric intake long term can dramatically slow down the ever-ticking aging clock.  read more>> To take the guess work out of grocery shopping, check […]

If you knew what I know about the remarkable power of fruits and vegetables to transform health for the better at every possible level – I am sure you would do just what I do and never miss an opportunity to pop another one in your mouth. The list of health benefits for partaking on […]

The Mediterranean Diet hit another healthy home run with 2 new studies adding to its long and successful record on the disease-fighting front.  A slew of former studies have established this delicious dietary pattern (high in plant foods, fish, olive oil, moderate in red wine, and low in meat) as beneficial for heart health, cancer […]

Once again, regular consumption of fish proves to be a very wise move – literally.  Reporting in the August issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, researchers found that as the intake of fish increased – the risk of dementia decreased.  The study included over 15,000 older adults from 7 different countries.  For those […]

One of the most precious gifts the human body can receive is the gift of physical activity – and a totally uplifting new report found that when it comes to boosting your mood, exercise gives for much longer than previously thought.  Compelling and consistent research has documented that moderate intensity aerobic exercise (like a brisk […]