Can You Become A Super-Ager?

Is 100 really the new 70?

For a “cognitive super-ager” the answer is yes.

The term super-ager is used to describe a person nearing the end of the human lifespan with the mental abilities of a person 30 years younger.

Less than 1% of people reach the age of 100, but a recent study shows that those who do so with their cognitive function intact tend to continue on that way for the rest of their lives—even if their brains display the physiological markers of Alzheimer’s like beta-amyloid plaque.

Not only that, new evidence shows that some of these “super-agers” seemed to display what researchers described as enhanced cognitive resilience.

But what makes someone a “super-ager”?

And is it possible to learn and apply what “super-agers” do so that we can protect our own brain?

The good news is yes and what I’m about to share with you today can help you get started!

How Much Better Could You Be Feeling?

Find out with my "Healing with Sound" Mini Course: 100% Free. No Credit Card Required.

Discover how healing with sound can easily restore wellbeing and peace of mind—in minutes. Get lifetime access to a potent daily sound healing exercise to erase stress, silence racing thoughts and restore your peace of mind in minutes.

The “super-ager” brain

Scientists have been studying “super-agers” with the hope of learning more about what makes their apparent lack of mental decline possible with the goal of helping more people enjoy better brain health for longer.

In a 2021 study from Vrije University in Amsterdam, 340 centenarians (100+ years old) underwent a series of cognitive tests for 19 months. The 79 who remained until the end of the study exhibited no decline in measures of cognition, except for a small reduction in memory function. 

These centenarian participants displayed the cognitive capacity of a person in the 70s, whether they were doing activities like redrawing a picture they recently viewed, listing items that began with a certain letter and maintaining attention-to-task.

Notably, participants who were genetically predisposed to developing Alzheimer’s still did well on the tests. 

About a third of the study participants chose to donate their brain post-death. During the autopsies, 44 of the 79 people displayed significant markers of Alzheimer’s, yet still remained cognitively healthy for up to four years after the study.

But how is it possible for a person to have the biomarkers of Alzheimers, yet escape it?

Boston University geriatrician Dr. Thomas T. Perls talked about the study in an editorial saying that, in addition to “protective biological mechanisms that slow brain aging and prevent clinical illness”, participants may have been spared the onset of Alzheimer's symptoms through habits that build cognitive reserve.

In the next section, I'd like to show you how.

Why miss out on a single article when you can get them delivered straight to your inbox for free?

Start your journey with me right now and I’ll bring you all the latest news—plus helpful tips on using sound, music, and rhythm for your health and well being.

100% Free. Unsubscribe anytime. Regular member discounts.

Fortify your brain with these cognitive reserve builders

Harvard University Medical School describes cognitive reserve as “Your brain's ability to improvise and find alternate ways of getting a job done.” It’s how your brain changes and adds resources to cope with challenges.

Research has shown that people with greater cognitive reserve, like the super-agers we talked about a moment ago, are better able to fend off symptoms of brain degeneration. Additionally, more cognitive reserve comes in handy during life challenges like unexpected surgeries or the loss of a loved one. During those times, the brain expends greater effort to help bring you back into balance.

That’s why engaging in habitual cognitive reserve building can go a long way towards keeping your brain healthier for longer.

According to Dr. Yaakov Stern, neuropsychologist and director of cognitive neuroscience at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, some of the best ways to build cognitive reserve include:

• Regularly socializing with others
• Exercise regularly
• Obtaining a higher level and better quality education
• Choosing occupations that deal with complex facts and data
• Consuming a Mediterranean-style diet 

Additionally, Dr. Perls offers the following ideas to fend off Alzheimers while increasing cognitive reserve:

• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Not smoking  
• Minimizing red meat
• And doing new things that challenge your brain like learning a musical instrument or language

Here are several ways to use music to challenge the brain. Check them out:

• How stroke victims are using music to speed up their recovery
• Use Your “Creativity Muscle” to Live Long and Happy
• Could Learning a Musical Instrument Lower Your Dementia Risk?
• How the Soundtrack of Your Youth Can Save Your Brain
• Music Can Boost Your Cognitive Function—At Any Age 

Remember that supporting a healthy brain and body is a mindset. Each minute invested can mean more healthy years to enjoy life to the fullest.

That is my hope for you and yours.

Recommended Reading

Introduction to Healing with Sound: A Comprehensive Guide Discover the power of healing with sound! This comprehensive guide teaches you how to effectively use sound therapy to restore balance and health.

Healing the Body with Frequencies: The Basics Explained
Discover the secrets of healing your body with frequencies! This guide covers the basics of frequency healing and how to use it for better health and wellness.

Benefits of Vagus Nerve Exercises & 7 Simple Practices
Harness the power of the Vagus Nerve to improve health and wellbeing in a few simple steps! Discover what exercises you need to do, and why they are important.

Vagus Nerve Exercises for Stress and Anxiety Relief
Vagus Nerve exercises have been shown to ease stress and anxiety. Discover what the vagus nerve does, the latest research, and eight free vagus nerve exercises.

Music Healing for Stress, Anxiety and Pain
Music has been used as an effective tool to help people cope with anxiety, pain, stress, and more. Discover research and 7 tips for how music healing works.

Stimulating the Vagus Nerve for Better Sleep, Stress Relief & Health
The vagus nerve has been shown to be effective in treating insomnia, stress relief, anxiety, and mood. Learn 12 easy exercises for stimulation of vagus nerve.

The Absolute Beginners Guide to Sound Healing Explore the therapeutic benefits of sound healing with this easy-to-follow beginner's guide! Discover how to use sound to positively impact your body and mind.

What is Brain Humming? Brain Humming is an easy way to clear your mind and boost your mood using the power of sound. It’s also a great stress reliever. Beginner friendly tutorial.

Sources:

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/21/well/mind/aging-memory-centenarians.html

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2775218

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.655497/full

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2775215

https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/what-is-cognitive-reserve

Disclaimer:

No content on this site should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician. 

The material provided on this site is for educational purposes only and any recommendations are not intended to replace the advice of your physician. You are encouraged to seek advice from a competent medical professional regarding the applicability of any recommendations with regard to your symptoms or condition.

Copyright © 2022 by Blue Beat Media. Thank you for your interest in Jim Donovan. We do not allow republication of our full newsletters and articles. However, you can post a portion (no more than 90 words, 1-2 paragraphs) of our content with a live link back to our homepage, donovanhealth.com, or a link to the specific article you are quoting from.

About the author:

Jim Donovan M.Ed. is a multi-platinum musician, educator and TEDx speaker.

His mission is to share the restorative power of music through education and performance.

Donovan is an Assistant Professor and Director of Music and Wellness at Saint Francis University.

His viral TEDx Talk "How to Trick Your Brain Into Falling Asleep" has been viewed over 6 million times to date.

He currently performs with his band The Sun King Warriors who can best described as as a blend of rhythm heavy roots rock, with a strong dose of big barreling drums. 

Jim Donovan got his start as a founding member of the multi-platinum selling band Rusted Root. 

There he co-wrote the song “Send Me on My Way” featured in the movies "Ice Age", "Matilda" and the Netflix series "New Girl".

During his time with the band 1990-2005, he recorded and released seven full length albums. Including "When I Woke" (3x platinum).

He also had the honor of sharing the stage with many of his musical influences and heroes including Robert Plant and Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin (1995 US/UK tour), Carlos Santana (1997/2002 US tour), The Allman Brothers Band (1995/96 US tour), The Grateful Dead (1995 Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA) and many others.

Send Me On My Way also became the first song on Mars where it “woke up” NASA’s Mars Rover.