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Gary Lipton Media Relations Manager Phone: 1-(800)-222-5551 Fax: 1-(800)-990-4329 Web site: www. napsnet .com e-mail: printmedia@napsnet.com #2550 North American Precis Syndicate, Inc., 350 Fifth Avenue, 65th Floor, New York, N.Y. 10118-0110 Think Red For Powerful Pain-Relief Benefits Many People Find Exercising The Brain Wards Off Aging (NAPSA)—Here’s something to think about: You need to exercise your brain just as you do your muscles. Mental stimulation improves brain functions and actually protects against cognitive decline, say neuroscientists from the Brain Plasticity Institute. According to a recent survey by the Institute, respondents said as they age, they are more worried about their brain health than they are about physical fitness, adult children concerns or retirement money. Exercising the brain with challenging activities ignites the receptors that lead to new neuronal pathways, making you feel more aware—thinking faster, focusing better and remembering more. Many people have found improvement by training their brains in stimulating ways such as: • Learning to play a musical instrument such as the piano; • Taking classes at the local community center or college; • Studying a new foreign language like Spanish or Japanese; • Meditating for 20 minutes a day; • Training the brain with brain fitness software. Training the brain with computer software? Yes. Brain research has caught up with interactive technologies to produce game-like exercises that actually help people improve their quality of life. A software package called The Brain Fitness Program from Posit Science helps improve how your brain processes what you “hear,” allowing you to remember Gift Card Convenience (NAPSA)—You may be able to save time, trouble and money this holiday season for yourself and for the people to whom you give gifts. That’s because it’s easier than ever to get attractive, practical and appreciated gift cards at the grocery store. These cards offer good value for the money because the people on your list can choose Many people have found that exercising the brain as well as the body can help ward off aging. information better and later use details of a conversation or repeat a person’s name. InSight brain fitness software improves the quality and quantity of the information your brain processes from what you “see.” Studies prove the training speeds up brain processing, allowing the user to notice more and react quicker, as well as: • Improving memory by the equivalent of 10 years; • Decreasing threat of tripping and falling; • Reducing risk of car accidents by 50 percent; • Tracking multiple objects such as a tennis ball during a match; • Discerning language patterns such as rapid speech. The easy-to-use software was developed from clinical research and testing by scientists at major health institutions such as Mayo Clinic, Johns Hopkins and University of Southern Cali f o r n i a . To l e a r n m o r e , v i s i t www.PositScience.com or call (866) 599-6463. This year you can give a present that provides choice and saves money. what they want. In fact, according to a study by The Hartman Group, gift cards are the top gift choice for 79 percent of U.S. consumers. Gift cards can also save people money when used for after-holiday sales, making them a gift that can last past the holiday season. To learn more or find these clever cards, visit a grocer’s Gift Card Mall or GiftCardMall.com. (NAPSA)—Here’s tasteful news about feeling fit: According to sports dietitian Leslie Bonci, diet can be a key factor in managing pain that can come from exercise—and cherries are an optimal solution to include in any training routine— before, during and after a workout. In fact, researchers from Oregon Health & Science University revealed that runners who drank cherry juice twice a day for seven days prior to and on the day of a long-distance relay reported significantly less muscle pain following the race than those who drank another fruit juice beverage. Managing Muscle Recovery “Most people only think about how to manage postworkout pain, not realizing that pain management and the ability to maximize muscle recovery starts before you even put on your shoes,” said Bonci, who is also director of Sport Nutrition at the University of Pittsburgh and nutritionist for many professional sports teams. She developed the Red Recovery Routine, which offers pain relief and performance tips on reducing inflammation, staying hydrated and fueling with proper foods such as tart cherries before, during and after workouts. Cherries contain powerful anti-inflammatory compounds called anthocyanins 1 and 2 that have been shown to relieve the pain associated with inflammation. Bonci said cherries are great for all athletes, not only because the fruit is readily available yearround dried, frozen and as a juice, but because it’s portable, too. Pre- And Postworkout Snacking Here are hints on how to enjoy them: • Enjoy dried cherries added to a bowl of whole grain oatmeal or mixed in a homemade trail mix with almonds and sunflower seeds. Recent research shows that tart cherries may help athletes recover more quickly and effectively from postexercise pain. • Create a quick parfait with vanilla yogurt, granola and dried cherries. • Pack a single-serve bottle of 100 percent cherry juice or a cherry juice blend in your gym bag or try a smoothie like the following: Red Recharger Smoothie This triple hit of tart cherries, antioxidants and protein is a great postexercise treat. Ingredients: 1 cup thawed tart cherries 1 cup fresh or partially frozen strawberries 3 tablespoons orange juice concentrate 1 ⁄2 cup plain nonfat yogurt (or vanilla nonfat yogurt) 1 ⁄2 cup tart cherry juice 2 tablespoons honey Directions: Combine all ingredients in a blender and whip until smooth. Pour into two glasses and serve. Makes 2 servings. Learn More Visit choosecherries.com for the Red Recovery Routine, recipes and more information.
