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With regards to your brain, sitting back on your intellectual laurels won't keep you on your toes.

Aging with Grace

Recent studies suggest that an active intellectual life may be the best prevention against dementia and other brain diseases.

Just as junk food is bad for the body, a steady diet of mindless activity may be bad for the long-term health and agility of the brain, according to findings from several recent studies about Alzheimer's disease and other degenerative brain disorders.

Many factors, including genetics, diet, lifestyle and environment, influence brain health and function, and ultimately whether or not we fall prey to dementia is largely a matter of fate. But that doesn't mean we shouldn't take steps to safeguard our memory and minds — especially when simple and enjoyable pastimes can make a big difference.

Researchers such as David Snowden — author of "Aging With Grace" and director of the famous Nun Study, a long-term study of a group of aging Catholic nuns funded by the National Institute on Aging — have found that seniors who maintain an active intellectual life through activities such as reading, hobbies and teaching may have a lower incidence of dementia-related illness. While genetic factors are undoubtedly at play in our chances of developing Alzheimer's, researchers on aging have found that people with college educations, active lifestyles and intellectual hobbies have a lower incidence of the disease, or can stave it off its devastating affects longer.

An estimated 4 million Americans currently suffer from Alzheimer's disease, and epidemiologists estimate that 10 percent of people over 65 have the disease or early signs of it; by age 85, 50 percent of seniors have it. As more of us are destined to live longer than our ancestors, we need to make sure those extra years are rich and enjoyable.

The Sharper Image

Companies such as SharpBrains and Happy Neuron have developed programs that put experienced brains through "mental gymnastics." Dan Michel, CEO of Dakim, Inc., was inspired to create his [m]Power program by observing his father's experience with Alzheimer's. "I saw that when I was able to stimulate his mind, that he was happier, more engaged and more with it," Michel says. [m]Power is a self-contained media station that offers cognitive exercises based on cultural and historical touchstones.

While these programs can be enjoyable, we don't need special equipment to keep our minds sharp.

Check out these simple activities that benefit the brain. The Alzheimer's Association suggests starting small by adding a daily walk to your schedule. After a while, add another small change. Other activities the non-profit suggests include gardening, enrolling in adult classes and basically committing to lifelong learning as a way of keeping the brain fine-tuned.