SMILE Program: Dr. Bresky explains how to use mind to avoid losing it

January 09, 2004
Santa Paula News

If you don’t use it you’ll lose it and a mind is a sad thing to waste, Rotarians learned at a recent meeting where its creator explained his acclaimed program.

By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesIf you don’t use it you’ll lose it and a mind is a sad thing to waste, Rotarians learned at a recent meeting where its creator explained his acclaimed program.Arnold Bresky, M.D. spoke of his SMILE program that centers on aging gracefully and smartly.The nine-point program emphasizes that it’s best to start guarding against premature aging as a Baby Boomer.“We begin to breakdown at about 50,” when the immune systems and brain start aging wear and tear, said Dr. Bresky, whose practice is headquartered in Camarillo.The SMILE program is no quick fix: three months is about how long it will take to get into it and once in, you must never get out, he noted.Lifestyle is a key to preventing premature aging and the loss of brain power: The brain must be “tuned up” through exercise – stretching, lifting weights and a brisk walk daily – and drinking plenty of water, at least 48 ounces a day. Dr. Bresky also recommends a low-fat diet, daily multi-vitamins, a low-dose aspirin and plenty of sleep.Dr. Bresky’s conventional advice soon turned to the unconventional, the basis of the SMILE program.
Music, especially Mozart, will stimulate the brain and Piano Concerto #21 is the best for 30 minutes of listening a day right before bedtime, he noted. Prayer or meditation should also be initiated daily for 30 minutes.Raw almonds – only eight - must be introduced into the daily diet due to their high vitamin E; fish – salmon is the best! - is a must three times weekly. . .if not salmon eat tuna or sardines.Fruits that are bright in color – strawberries, blueberries, etc. – should be eaten in large quantities as should green vegetables such as broccoli and spinach.Mind exercise is highly important from doing a crossword puzzle to memory workouts.“Stress hurts the most,” Dr. Bresky said, and a great stress buster is laughter, also a daily requirement whether through comedies or jokes. “The number one cause of memory loss is depression. . .depression is poison to the brain. Anger is also a poison to the brain; if we do not forgive, dwell on our anger,” connections between brain cells are lost.Dementia will be “epidemic in 10 years” through Alzheimer’s and strokes, he noted, and the “only thing that works” to prevent both is mental stimulation.Memory loss is not a function of aging and the “best medicine is prevention. . .the only way to deal with it is changing lifestyles.”



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