Drs. Oz and Roizen: 5 ways to keep your brain sharp

“I may be beginning to disappear.” That's how having Alzheimer's disease is described by Julie Christie's character Fiona in “Away From Her.” Sadly, it's a reality shared by more than 6 million North Americans and their families. To combat this health crisis, the U.S. government has declared that it will discover how to prevent and treat Alzheimer's disease by 2025.

That's great, if true. But 13 years is a very long time to wait, especially if you're at risk for or caring for someone with this miserable disease. (From diagnosis to death is five to 12 years, depending on age at diagnosis and other health issues.) So, here are a few tips to keep your brain young.

--Control blood pressure. Reduce brain strain and boost oxygenation: Keep your blood pressure at or below 115/76.

--Manage stress (everyone feels it sometimes). We are passionate about getting 12 minutes of meditation daily.

--Be Smart. Exercising vigorously 20 minutes three times a week increases the memory center in your brain by more than 20 percent in three months. And 900 milligrams of DHA omega-3 daily can help the elderly with early brain dysfunction to make their brains six to seven years younger.

--Brush, floss and go to the dentist. Blocking the immune system's reaction to gum disease helps your brain.

--Get plenty of vitamin D-3, coffee and curcumin (found in the spice turmeric). Get 1,000 IU of D-3 daily from food and supplements. And if you like coffee and curcumin, these help remove brain cell poop, but that's another column.

Clearly, treating your brain right keeps you sharper!

Mehmet Oz, M.D. is host of “The Dr. Oz Show,” and Mike Roizen, M.D. is Chief Medical Officer at the Cleveland Clinic Wellness Institute. For more information go to [/URL]