Not sure if this is a "Rant" Per-Se, but...

[Sigi]

Originally Posted by Dhalin

As I said, both Physical and Mental are important, and yes, these are caused by diseases, however, just like Heart Disease and other physical conditions, physical exercise either helps prevent said diseases, or, lessens the impact of the said disease.

The same could be said about mental exercise and mental diseases.

What I tried to say is this: If your brain starts to fail because you are depressed of have a vitamin deficiency or another physical cause no braintraining will help. You first have to cure the cause.

[Frith-Rae]

The same could be said about mental exercise and mental diseases.

Um, well no it can't. Not really.

And honestly I'm not trying to be nitpicky - because ultimately I agree with your encouragement of keeping the brain "young" by engagning in hobbies, brain stimulating activities and such as that. ABSOLUTELY.

But if your motivation is in any way becaused you think it will keep something like Alzheimers or Dementia at bay, you are mistaken. Or any "mental" disease. You can do Sodoku as the day is long but still be anxious, depressed, or suffer from any number of brain disorders.

Now, it WILL keep your brain functioning normally, longer, as long as you don't have any other co-existing problem that is keeping it from doing so.

It WILL keep you mentally sharp longer, as long as you don't have any disorder causing the mental slowness.

It WILL Keep you feeling younger mentally, as long as you don't have...you get the picture.

It IS good for everyone at any age to try and stay "mentally fit" if we want to go with that; but it isn't preventative the way physical fitness works for medical conditions.

However, a positive and active mind does help with physical health as well - and will help to keep you healthy overall - yes.

Hawking is an excellent example of someoen who didn't let their physical disease end every part of their life; showing how regardless of what your body can or can't do - you can continue to leave a fruitful, productive, and positive life.

Again not nitpicking, but being in a health related profession - I also just can't let someone go with any misconceptions that if they keep their mind active they won't succomb to Brain Disorders. Not saying that's what you were saying, but I don't want that impression to be out there .

On a related note - good luck with your dad! Depression as an actual diagnosis (not a natural part of aging) could also be effecting your dad as he gets older so if he continues to deteriorate in activity/mental acuity/mood or whatever you might want to try and get him in to see some specialists to figure out what's going on. Just because someone is 80 doesn't mean they have to live depressed (or whatever).

And when caught early, the effects of Alzhimers and Dementia can really be slowed down these days with some of the new medications; really keeping it "at bay" much longer than we use to could. So good luck and you're family is in my positive thoughts!