Playing Games Help Fight Alzheimer's

Playing games might be just what the doctor ordered. At least when it comes to avoiding Alzheimer's.

We are talking about mind games, things like Sudoku and chess. But even games like Angry Birds, that smartphone APP, might help keep you from getting Alzheimer's.

We've known for some time that both mind games and physical activity worked to keep the mind sharp as we get older. But now we know that the same things might also help keep the bigger problem of Alzheimer's at bay.

Research, just published in the Journal Archives of Neurology, found that those study participants that played more mind games also had less of the protein build up in the brain thought to cause Alzheimer's Disease.

According to these researchers, it didn't matter what types of games or mind activities someone used, just that they did them early and often. As a matter of fact, starting them in early and middle life seemed to offer the most protection from this protein buildup.

But no matter how young or old you are, it is really never too late to start picking up the game habit. So grab a puzzle or a smartphone game and start playing away. That might be one big step towards keeping your mind sharp.