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Analysis and Summary of Keep

Sharp by Sanjay Gupta | PDF | Free
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posted on APRIL 7, 2021

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1 Synopsis
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2 About Sanjay Gupta
3 Growing Brain Cells
4 Your Brain Is the Key to General Health
5 Get a Good Night’s Sleep
6 The Dirty Dozen: 12 Destructive Myths About the Brain
6.1 Myth #1 The Brain Remains a Complete Mystery
6.2 Myth #2 Older People Are Doomed to Forget Things
6.3 Myth #3 Dementia Is an Inevitable Consequence of Aging
6.4 Myth #4 Older People Can’t Learn New Things
6.5 Myth #5 You Must Master One Language Before Learning Another
6.6 Myth #6 A Person Who Has Memory Training Never Forgets
6.7 Myth #7 We Use Only Ten Percent of Our Brains
6.8 Myth #8 Male and Female Brains Differ in Ways that Dictate Intelligence
6.9 Myth #9 A Crossword Puzzle a Day Can Keep the Doctor Away
6.10 Myth #10 You’re Dominated By Either Your Left or Right Brain
6.11 Myth #11 You Only Have Five Senses
6.12 Myth #12 Your Brain Cells are Hardwired, and Any Damage to it Is Irreversible
7 The Fantastic Five: 5 Pillars to Keep a Sharp Mind
7.1 Pillar #1 Move
7.2 Pillar #2 Discover
7.3 Pillar #3 Relax
7.4 Pillar #4 Nourish
7.5 Pillar #5 Connect
8 Related Book Summaries

Synopsis
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Keep Sharp seeks to challenge common myths about cognitive decline. Plus, offer
pillars you can build on your life to protect yourself as you age. Society has started
to believe that we are born with a certain number of neurons, and our brain will
only decline with age. However, neurosurgeon Sanjay Gupta believes the science
says otherwise. Recent research suggests we can create new brain cells and build
new connections by adopting evidence-based approaches.

About Sanjay Gupta

Sanjay Gupta is an American neurosurgeon, medical reporter, and writer. He serves
as associate chief of the neurosurgery service at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta,
Georgia. Gupta is also associate professor of neurosurgery at the Emory University
School of Medicine and a chief medical correspondent for CNN.

Gupta is known for his many TV appearances on health-related issues. During the
2020 coronavirus pandemic, he has been a frequent contributor to numerous CNN
shows covering the crisis. Gupta is the host of the CNN show Sanjay Gupta MD, for
which he has won multiple Emmy Awards. Gupta also hosted the 6 part mini-series,
Chasing Life.

Growing Brain Cells

Brain
Ad cells, also known as neurons, were previously thought to only grow at two x
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stages. Specifically, when you were very young, and your brain was developing or
when you had a brain injury.
ReceptixThis neural growth is called neurogenesis. However,
Open
recent research has shown a normal adult life without injury is associated with new
neural growth. Observing growth in adult life shows the importance of adopting the
best approaches to ensure our brains continue to grow rather than decline.

Your Brain Is the Key to General Health

“Has a doctor ever reminded you to take good care of your brain besides the
importance of wearing a helmet while riding a bike? Probably not.” – Sanjay Gupta

Gupta points out that health is almost always considered in metrics like weight,
cholesterol levels, and heart health. However, this means we often forget about the
brain. This is shown in the medical world too, where the brain is only spoken about
when somebody is already unwell. In Keep Sharp, Gupta argues that putting your
brain first will lead to all your other health metrics falling into place.

Without a healthy brain, you will be unable to make healthy decisions. On the other
hand, if you put your brain first, you can start making the decisions to develop a
healthy body, weight, and heart. On top of this, you will become happier as you will
be more confident and your relationships will be healthier.

Get a Good Night’s Sleep

Sleep
Ad has several broad health benefits, but arguably the greatest benefit of sleep is x
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its impact on your brain. Instead of just resting, your brain is consolidating
memories while you sleep. Effective adding new information from the day toOpen
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overall narrative relies on a good night’s sleep. Additionally, sleep helps you forget
irrelevant information from the day before to focus more on what is essential. To
Gupta, a good night’s sleep consists of seven to nine hours of sleep.

Another benefit of sleep, recently found by researchers, is that it offers a rinse cycle
of your brain. Your body removes certain waste from your brain and conducts
specific basic metabolic processes. These processes are more efficient during this
period than while you are awake. Therefore, you must start prioritizing your sleep.

The Dirty Dozen: 12 Destructive Myths

About the Brain
Gupta introduces 12 destructive myths about the brain that are frequently spread.

Myth #1 The Brain Remains a Complete Mystery

The brain is an extremely complex organ. However, researchers have developed a

deep understanding of the brain’s areas and connections. The field of neuroscience
is advancing considerably, and our understanding will only continue to grow.

Myth #2 Older People Are Doomed to Forget Things

Cognitive
Ad abilities will decline as we age, as we lose brain cells. However, there are x
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also several strengths associated with aging. For example, you will likely have a
more robust vocabulary and a better judge of character as you age. Similarly,
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people are generally better at managing conflicts. Hence, your memory might
decline slightly. However, with age, you will also have become stronger in other
areas.

Myth #3 Dementia Is an Inevitable Consequence of Aging

Dementia is a brain disease. Hence, not all old people will develop dementia.
Typical age-related changes lead to cognitive decline and a weaker memory, but
this does not mean you will develop dementia. Also, these age-related changes can
be slowed down, and dementias can be avoided.

Myth #4 Older People Can’t Learn New Things

You can learn a new skill at any stage in your life. It is true that activities like
learning a language become harder with age, but it is still possible.

Myth #5 You Must Master One Language Before Learning

Another

ItAdwill take longer to master two languages simultaneously, but this does not mean x
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it is a bad idea. Your brain does not battle over knowledge, so it is possible to learn
both without interference. In fact, research suggests bilingual children haveOpen
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general knowledge of language structures.

Myth #6 A Person Who Has Memory Training Never

Forgets

Memory is like a muscle. We use it, or we lose it. Therefore, even memory
champions would lose their ability if they didn’t continue to train. Ongoing practice
is crucial as you age.

Myth #7 We Use Only Ten Percent of Our Brains

Gupta describes this point as evolutionarily ridiculous. It makes no sense for our
brain to hold back 90% of our potential. Brains are demanding organs that take a lot
of energy to build and maintain. Subsequently, it doesn’t make sense to carry
around surplus brain tissue that isn’t being used.

Myth #8 Male and Female Brains Differ in Ways that

Dictate Intelligence

There are biological differences between sexes that result in variations of brain
functions. However, this difference does not lead to one sex being better equipped
than another. The best way to think of this is that we all have a unique brain.

Despite
Ad this, we all have the capacity to learn, remember, and make sense of the x
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world around us.
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Myth #9 A Crossword Puzzle a Day Can Keep the Doctor
Away

Crosswords only utilize a specific portion of your brain. Therefore, they can be
useful for word-finding but will not train your brain to the extent that it is kept
sharp. More broadly, engaging with activities like crosswords should keep your brain
more active. Research does suggest an active mind can help reduce cognitive
decline.

Myth #10 You’re Dominated By Either Your Left or Right

Brain

Your brain is split into two hemispheres. Your right side is specialized for emotional
expression, and your left is specialized for language. However, research suggests
that both hemispheres almost always work together. Therefore, we cannot label
people as left- or right-brained people.

Myth #11 You Only Have Five Senses

Five senses are commonly recited. However, Gupta highlights there are six more
senses:

Ad 1. Proprioception – a sense of where your body parts are and what they’re doing. x
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2. Equilibrioception – a sense of balance, otherwise known as your internal GPS.
This sense tells you if you’re sitting, standing, or lying down.
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3. Nociception – a sense of pain.
4. Thermoreception – a sense of temperature.
5. Chronoception – a sense of the passage of time.
6. Interception – a sense of your internal needs like hunger, thirst, and urge to
use the bathroom.

Myth #12 Your Brain Cells are Hardwired, and Any

Damage to it Is Irreversible

Previously, scientists believed we were born with a fixed number of neurons that
only changed in number as we damaged them with age. However, recent research
suggests that our brain is plastic. Plasticity means our brain can continue to develop
new neurons and connections between them. You can change your brain for the
better or worse through behaviors and even ways of thinking. Negative plasticity,
for example, causes changes in neural connections that can be harmful. Negative
thoughts and constant worrying can promote changes in the brain that are
associated with depression and anxiety. However, the reverse is also possible; try to
think positively, and you will recognize position changes in your brain.

The Fantastic Five: 5 Pillars to Keep a

Sharp Mind
Gupta
Ad concludes the book by offering readers five approaches you can adopt in your x
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life to keep your mind sharp. These pillars are supported by scientific evidence and
are fundamental to promoting
Receptix healthy cognitive function in old age. Open
Pillar #1 Move

“Exercise can act as a first-aid kit for damaged brain cells, speeding up recovery
after injury, stroke or significant emotional stress.” – Sanjay Gupta

As well as displaying physical benefits, both aerobic and anaerobic exercises are
good for the brain. Hence, Gupta recommends ensuring you always do some
exercise before sitting down for the day. This exercise can be as simple as a push-up
or as complex as a yoga class. Movement helps encourage blood flow, which is
essential for the repair and maintenance of brain cells.

Pillar #2 Discover

Engaging with a new activity will create new connections within your brain.
Essentially, your brain will be strengthened. For example, try to pick up a new
hobby as often as you can.

Pillar #3 Relax

Relaxation
Ad is crucial for your body, but it is also crucial for your brain. If you x
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overwork yourself, your memory will be impaired. Equally, if you do not get enough
sleep, your brain will not repair as effectively. Finally, stress can prevent youOpen
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learning new skills and adapting to new situations.

Pillar #4 Nourish

Your diet is fundamental to your brain health. In recent years, the importance of our
diet on our brain health has been further uncovered through gut science.
Consuming healthy foods, including nuts, seeds, and whole foods, is consistently
associated with minimizing cognitive decline. On the other hand, eating foods high
in sugar, saturated fat, and trans fat have been associated with brain decline.

Pillar #5 Connect

“Apparently, high socialization is akin to a vital sign.” – Sanjay Gupta

Connecting with others in a face-to-face situation is far more effective than

completing a crossword puzzle alone. Having a diverse social network has been
found to improve your brain plasticity and help preserve your cognitive abilities.

Comment below and let others know what you have learned or if you have any
other thoughts.

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