Book Review | Keep Sharp – Build a Better Brain at Any Age By Sanjay Gupta

By Robert Miller | Portfolio Manager at NAOS Asset Management

In recent history scientists have had a major breakthrough in understanding the brain. Ten years ago it was commonly believed that beyond childhood, a normal adult brain could not develop/grow new brain cells. Today we now know that a normal brain can develop new brain cells at any age.

Dr Sanjay Gupta is a world renowned neurosurgeon who doubles as the CNN chief medical correspondent. Dr Gupta’s book highlights the common myths we believe about our brains and provides useful brain facts about topics such as functionality, health & longevity. He uses the abovementioned scientific understanding to demonstrate ways we can improve our brain (including through a training program in the book).

The idea that we use only 10% of our brain is a myth. In essence the brain is a muscle which has a ‘use it or lose it’ type of function but due to the ability to regenerate brain cells we can use the same amount of brain as always, but we can also do more with it, such as processing information faster, learning quicker and understanding things we perhaps previously couldn’t have.

How do we build new brain cells? Essentially by getting outside of our ‘comfort zone’. The act of learning or experiencing new things as well as doing typical things you know but in another way (for example holding a fork in our opposite hand) are great ways to achieve this. Add to this that exercise, diet and sufficient sleep are necessities for good brain health. In fact sleep is the period where you effectively expel brain toxins/clutter and hardwire your memories.

This book, Keep Sharp is an easily understandable book that we can all benefit from reading.

Link to book