Get Your Brain In Shape

What is the most important muscle in your body? Your brain.

And how do you keep that muscle in shape . . . exercise according to a recent article in the Des Moines Register. "Really, the health of your brain is a full-body issue," said Valerie Stickel-Diehl, a case manager at the Ruan Neuroscience Center at Mercy Medical Center. One of her roles is to provide information for patients with any brain-related diagnosis.

"Being physically, mentally, socially active and having a good diet are essential," said Dr. Heike Schmolck, a behavioral neurologist at Mercy. "If you look at big groups of people, the ones who are active are better off."

So . . . make sure you exercise to keep that brain muscle health.