Our brain is just like a muscle and it thrives on exercise. Moreover, it is the fastest-aging organ in the body. Studies show that brain volume naturally decreases with age due to neuronal loss, starting as early as your late 20s or 30s. This process accelerates over time, leading to a decline in cognitive functions such as memory, processing speed, and decision-making.

However, there is a way to counter it. Neurologists across the world agree that frequently playing brain games can prevent brain ageing. Backing them up is research showing that brain-training games may help improve attention levels, memory, response time, logic skills, and other measures of cognitive function if played over a long period.

And the good news is that these brain games are affordable and easily accessible to all. you just need a pen and paper for sudoku and the same goes on for crosswords. However, if you are someone who is up for a high-tech, options for brain games are plentiful.

To give your brain a workout while having fun, try these games and activities:

Sudoku

Crosswords

Elevate

Peak

Happy Neuron

Happy Neuron is another game that organizes its games into memory, attention, language, executive functions, and visual/spatial categories. Training is personalized, and progress tracking is available. While a subscription is required, a free trial lets you explore its offerings. The app is available only for Android users.

Braingle

Queendom

Queendom features personality tests, puzzles, and "brain tools" for cognitive improvement. Free accounts provide limited access, while full reports require payment.

My Brain Trainer

My Brain Trainer offers an online "brain gym" with games and puzzles to boost mental fitness. It recommends 10 minutes of training twice a day. Subscription plans are more affordable than similar platforms and free trials are available.

A healthy lifestyle is very crucial for any human being, but for cancer survivors, it's a must, as they tend to get various diseases, including cardiovascular ones. A recent study by the University of Gothenburg and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital also doubles down on this aspect. Their research reveals that a healthy lifestyle can significantly lower the risk of diseases like cardiovascular disease in childhood cancer survivors.

The study published in Nature Communications observed over 18,000 childhood cancer survivors for 30 days. The results clearly show that most of the chronic health problems among childhood cancer survivors revolve around lifestyle. Those with a habit of inactivity, obesity, smoking, and high alcohol intake are likely to catch diseases.

Aron Onerup, Pediatrician and Researcher at the University of Gothenburg and former Postdoctoral Fellow at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, said, "This reveals that lifestyle plays a much bigger role than previously thought. Unlike the treatments already given, the lifestyle can actually be changed."

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Another study published in JACC: CardioOncology with 2,300 cancer survivor participants finds that those who do not exercise regularly are 1.4 times more likely to contract a cardiovascular disease. The disease burden in childhood cancer survivors who do not exercise is twelve times more than that of the general population.

Aron Onerup, a Researcher within Pediatrics at Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg and a Specialist Physician at the Pediatric Cancer Center at Queen Silvia Children's Hospital, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, in Gothenburg, said, "This means that physical activity can make a big difference in reducing the extra risk that emerges after cancer treatment and modify the negative effects from cancer treatments. Our results provide strong scientific support for offering survivors structured support for healthy lifestyles."

Also Read: Vitamin B12 And Folate Deficiencies Behind Chronic Fatigue, New Study Finds

Why Women Are More Likely To Develop Cardiovascular Diseases?

Cardiovascular diseases are the number one reason for death among women and men, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Statistics show that about 44% women are living with heart diseases, and it is responsible for the death of 1 in 5 women.

There are many risk factors for heart diseases, like high blood pressure, which often goes undiagnosed in women. While studies have shown that women are more likely to live longer, even with diseases, a recent report shared how women are also more likely to have cardiovascular diseases than men.

According to the study published in the American College of Cardiology, even though women often try to live healthier, if they have issues like bad food habits or high blood pressure, their risk of heart disease goes up much more than it does for men.

Vitamin B12 is vital for red blood cell formation, DNA production, and nerve function. Deficiency is more common in vegans, vegetarians, and pregnant individuals. In such cases, supplementation may be necessary to maintain adequate levels. Vitamin B9, commonly known as folate, is also very important for DNA synthesis, production of red blood cells, and cell growth.

A recent study by Osaka Metropolitan University reveals an important aspect of these two nutrients: their deficiency is directly connected with chronic fatigue. The study published in the journal Nutrient urges for a proper diet and ensuring that all necessary nutrients are present for health and energy levels.

The researchers studied over 600 healthy adults to determine whether vitamin deficiency can cause fatigue. They mainly focused on B12 and B9 because these two nutrients are crucial to maintain a natural amino acid called homocysteine in the human body. The research finds that the deficiency of these two nutrients causes an increase in homocysteine in the body, which may be connected to fatigue and low motivation.

Notably, these deficiencies can impact you differently because of your gender, as the study found that the low level of these nutrients affects men mostly with fatigue, while women feel low motivation.

Professor Hiroaki Kanouchi from Osaka Metropolitan University's Graduate School of Human Life and Ecology said, "This suggested relationship between vitamin B12, folate, and fatigue in healthy individuals may represent the first report of its kind."

Also Read: Feeling Tired And Foggy? It Could Be Vitamin B12 Deficiency

Why Does B12 Deficiency Happen?

Vitamin B12 is mainly found in animal-based foods such as meat, fish, eggs, and dairy products. People who follow vegetarian or vegan diets may need fortified foods or supplements to get enough.

Absorption is also a key factor. Vitamin B12 requires a special protein in the stomach called intrinsic factor to be absorbed properly. Certain medical conditions, medications, or aging can reduce absorption. This means that even if someone eats enough B12, their body may not absorb it efficiently.

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Why Does B9 Deficiency Happen?

Folate is naturally found in foods like leafy green vegetables, citrus fruits, lentils, beans, and whole grains, and a diet low in these can cause deficiency. Though in some cases, certain medical conditions can also be the reason for the problem.

When To See A Doctor?

If you experience ongoing fatigue, tingling sensations, or noticeable changes in memory or mood, consult a healthcare professional. A simple blood test can measure your B12 or B9 levels.

Both deficiencies are usually treatable. Treatment may include dietary changes, oral supplements, or, in more severe cases, injections. When identified early, most people recover well.

The recently released National Family Health Survey-6 (NFHS-6) indicates a growing burden of lifestyle-related diseases such as obesity, hypertension, and high blood sugar levels in the country.

According to the NFHS-6, conducted during 2023–24, there has been a significant rise in non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and lifestyle risks in India, marking a shift from infectious diseases to chronic conditions.

Speaking to HealthandMe, Dr. Parmeet Kaur, former Chief Dietitian, Department of Dietetics, AIIMS, New Delhi, said rapid urbanisation, changing food habits and declining physical activity levels are contributing to the growing burden of NCDs.

She noted that factors such as the globalization of food habits, unhealthy snacking, increased consumption of processed foods, excess salt and sugar intake, stress, poor sleep and an ageing population are all playing a role in the rise of these conditions.

"The rise in non-communicable diseases is driven not just by excess calories, but by changing food systems and lifestyles," Dr. Kaur said.

She stressed the importance of promoting traditional balanced diets, healthy snacks, regular physical activity, maintaining a healthy body weight, adequate sleep and greater reliance on home-cooked meals.

NCD Burden Rising In Younger Age Groups

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Dr. Rakesh Gupta, Senior Consultant, Internal Medicine, Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, Delhi, said the latest NFHS-6 findings point to a growing burden of metabolic risk factors across the country, including among younger age groups.

"In many cases, these conditions develop silently and remain undiagnosed for years," Dr. Gupta said.

He emphasized that tackling the problem requires shifting the focus beyond weight management alone to overall metabolic health.

How To Prevent

To prevent these conditions and identify risks at an early stage, Dr. Gupta told HealthandMe that the following measures are important:

• Regular physical activity

• Healthy eating habits

• Adequate sleep

• Stress management

• Routine health screenings

Dr. Kaur also called for strengthening nutrition education, increasing awareness about food labels and encouraging early screening for diabetes and hypertension.

"Re-emphasizing traditional and regional healthy eating patterns alongside active living will be crucial for India's future health," she added.

What Did NFHS-6 Say On NCDs?

The NFHS-6, conducted during 2023–24, covered more than 7.1 lakh women and over one lakh men across the country.

Obesity

• Obesity among women increased from 24 per cent (2019–21) to 30.7 per cent (2023–24). Urban women recorded a higher prevalence (42.8 per cent) than rural women (25.5 per cent).
• Obesity among men rose from 22.9per cent to 27.3per cent during the same period. Urban men (36.3per cent) were more affected than rural men (23 per cent).

• High blood sugar prevalence among men aged 15 years and above increased from 15.6 per cent to 20.9 per cent.
• Urban women (21.9per cent) reported higher prevalence than rural women (16.2per cent); with total prevalence among women increasing from 13.5 per cent to 17.8 per cent.

High Blood Pressure

• Among women, high blood pressure prevalence stood at 23.5 per cent in urban areas and 17.8 per cent in rural areas.
• Among men, the prevalence was 26.2 per cent in urban areas and 20.4 per cent in rural areas.

"The emerging challenges such as rising non-communicable diseases, lifestyle-related risks and the dual burden of undernutrition and rising overweight/obesity among adults highlight the need for continued focus on preventive healthcare, behavioral change and balanced nutrition strategies," the Health Ministry said.