Released on: August 4, 2008, 3:06 am

Press Release Author: Kirti K. Khalsa

Industry: Healthcare

Press Release Summary: The late pioneer heart surgeon Michael DeBakey attributed his
longevity to genetics and not smoking. However, Alzheimer's disease and brain
longevity expert Dharma Singh Khalsa, M.D. believes that mental exercise and brain
aerobics played a big role.

Press Release Body: Tucson, AZ ( ExpressPressRelease ) - August 4, 2008 - Dr.
Michael E. DeBakey, one of the United States' most eminent heart doctors, died
recently at the ripe old age of 99 years.

Being the first to develop and perform surgical heart bypass surgery, as well as
many other medical innovations, Dr. DeBakey worked and performed surgeries well into
his 80's.

Before his death, he was asked about the secret to his longevity. He gave credit to
good family genes and having never smoked.

Dharma Singh Khalsa, M.D., president and medical director of the href=http://www.AlzheimersPrevention.org>Alzheimer's Research and Prevention
Foundation - and America's #1 brain longevity specialist - believes other
factors may have also contributed to Dr. DeBakey's long and active life.

"Just as your body needs strength building activities to keep fit, so does your
brain." Dr. Khalsa explains, "You need to carefully nurture your brain with vigorous
mental exercise, what I call 'brain aerobics'."

According to Dr. Khalsa, Dr. DeBakey's ritual of starting his day early in the
morning, writing for two hours before leaving his house, working at the hospital
until early evening, reading or writing again before bed was key in keeping his
brain fit and active.

A diligent course of brain exercises, such as reading and writing everyday, is
paramount to staving off age-related memory loss and Alzheimer's disease.

Numerous studies have shown that memory loss and mental decline do not have to be an
inevitable part of the aging process. In fact, Dr. Khalsa says, brain degeneration
can be prevented or even reversed through an integrated health program consisting of
what he calls the Four Pillars to Building a Better Memory: proper diet and
vitamins, stress management, exercise, and medication.

Brain aerobics is an important element of the Four Pillars because it is the key to
maintaining a sharp memory. Just like physical exercise increases blood flow and
oxygen to the muscles, mental exercise increases blood and oxygen to the brain,
thereby improving neural cell growth.

As reported by the non-profit organization href=http://www.AlzheimersPrevention.org>Alzheimer's Research and Prevention
Foundation (ARPF), regular participation in brain aerobics has shown to reduce
the chances of developing Alzheimer's disease by up to 70%.

The ARPF, founded by Dr. Khalsa, believes an integrative medical approach utilizing
the best of conventional, as well as alternative medical practices such as diet,
brain specific nutrients, stress management, physical, and mental exercise, offers
the best chance of preventing Alzheimer's disease.

The Alzheimer's Research and Prevention Foundation is the leading non-profit
organization in the country dedicated to the prevention of memory loss and
Alzheimer's disease. Its mission is to reduce the overall incidence of Alzheimer's
disease through clinical research and to provide public information in the form of
educational outreach.

For further information about the ongoing work of the Alzheimer's Research and
Prevention Foundation, please call 520-749-8374 or visit the website at: href=http://www.AlzheimersPrevention.org>www.AlzheimersPrevention.org. A free
quarterly newsletter subscription is also available.

Contact information
Alzheimer's Research & Prevention Foundation
6300 E. El Dorado Plaza, Suite 400
Tucson, AZ 85715

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Web Site: http://www.alzheimersprevention.org

Contact Details: Alzheimer's Research & Prevention Foundation
6300 E. El Dorado Plaza, Suite 400
Tucson, AZ 85715