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Brain Games It turns out that your brain needs just as much exercise as your body. Luckily, a new fitness program has been introduced to keep your mind in tip-top shape. Maria Shriver recently reported on a new program known as BrainHQ. According to Shriver, this development involves "a series of mental exercises you do for about an hour a day, all designed by scientists to turn back the clock on your brain." With the potential to combat the symptoms of aging, the purpose of this "workout" is to sharpen your brain's speed and accuracy. Top neuroscientist and founder of BrainHQ, Dr. Michael Merzenich, says, "You have a capacity to continue to grow to the end of your life. You don't have to go into retreat." e Alzheimer's Association estimates that about 5.4 million people across the U.S. are afflicted with the disease, including one in nine over the age of 65. is frightening number will likely triple by the year 2050 as the Baby Boomer generation ages. So get ahead of the game and whip those brain cells into shape! Take a cue from some of the hot new restaurants that have full-on vegetarian menus— add more green to your diet. In order to do that in a fun, tasty, exciting way, GRILL your veggies instead of steaming or boiling. Not only are more nutrients retained when a stalk of asparagus or a slice of squash is delicately charred to perfection, but color is retained as well—giving these vitamin- packed delights a nicer plate presentation. Heck, anything's better than a side of boiled mush! And when it comes to eating more garden goodies, diners of all ages can certainly appreciate that. Grilled Avocado Halves 1) Cut avocado in half and remove seed. 2) Drizzle with fresh lime or lemon juice and brush lightly with olive oil. 3) Gently place flat side down on grill over hot coals for 2-3 minutes. 4) Sprinkle with salt to taste. Tempting tip: Garnish with fresh salsa and enjoy! Allergy Relief Runny noses and watery eyes everywhere, rejoice! Relief may be in sight. An intriguing study recently published in the New England Journal of Medicine has broken new ground in allergy research. Some time ago, children from an Amish community in Indiana were found to be the least allergic subgroup ever measured in the developed world. Only recently did scientists identify another group to which the Amish children could be compared—the Hutterites of North Dakota, who have a lifestyle similar to the Amish, but exhibit as many allergy and asthma symptoms as your average American. In examining the two cultures, it was revealed that microbes found in the Amish household actually stimulate the innate immune system. e telling results are "…precisely why we're so excited," Donata Vercelli, a senior author on the study, stated. "is seems to be a manageable situation—one that could lead to a plausible intervention, like a preventive medication based on Amish microbes." Eat Your Veggies! HEALTH Subscribe at GravitasMag.com | 21

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