
The 12-Minute Trick For a Better Brain
When your brain starts slipping, it can be absolutely terrifying.
There’s nothing fun about struggling to remember names… or faces… or phone numbers… or your way home from the supermarket.
And problems like anxiety and depression can start to surface the older you get.
But, believe it or not, there’s something simple you can start doing TODAY that will keep your brain sharp well into your golden years.
And the best part? It only takes 12 minutes.
The brain-saving trick is exercise.
And before you roll your eyes, hear me out.
Because you can get the same results from just 12 minutes of exercise a day as you’d get from an hour at the gym.
The secret is getting your heart rate up.
Researchers studied 34,000 Norwegian adults over 11 years and had them report how often they exercised each week, how intense it was, and how depressed or anxious they felt.
The results suggested that as little as one hour of exercise each week (if done right) helped protect people against depressive episodes.
That’s less than 10 minutes a day… or 12 minutes five days a week.
Aside from protecting your brain, exercise protects your heart, balances blood sugar, and improves libido.
Here is how I suggest people exercise:
It doesn’t matter if you do this exercise as walking, on a treadmill, in a pool… it is the intensity that is important.
- Warm up for 4 minutes
- Push yourself as hard as you can for 20-40 seconds
- Slow down for 2 minutes
- Push yourself as hard as you can for 20-40 seconds
Repeat until you hit 12 minutes of exercising.
That’s it: research shows that exercising this way is equal to 40-60 minutes of any other exercise.
But let’s not stop there. There is so much else you can do to keep your brain healthy.
Dr. Scott’s Brain Protection Plan:
- Creatine is an amino acid that is good for the brain and helps support energy production.
- Omega 3 fish oil is an essential fatty acid your brain needs to support its function and protect against oxidation.
- CoQ10 is powerful antioxidant and helps to provide energy throughout the body.
- Antioxidants can be vitamins such as vitamin A and vitamin C, but I especially like the phytonutrients (polyphenols, carotenes…) found in superfood combinations.
- Herbs such as curcumin and bacopa work to decrease inflammation and act as powerful antioxidants.
Health and Happiness,
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Ed. Note: Please send your feedback: feedback@livingwelldaily.com – and click here to like us on Facebook.

Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
View More Free Articles
Why Your Muscles Are Your Brain's Best Defense
Forget expensive brain scans and head-scratching cognitive tests that make you feel like you’re back in school. Japanese researchers have stumbled onto something that could change how we screen for memory problems—and it’s so simple, you’ll wonder why nobody thought of it sooner. A quick, painless measurement you can get during a routine checkup might...
Four Carbs that Could Add YEARS to Your Life
You’ve likely been avoiding carbs like the plague. Health gurus, fitness influencers, and diet books have convinced you that carbs are the enemy—that they spike your blood sugar, pack on pounds, and fast-track you to diabetes. So you’ve eliminated bread, sworn off pasta, and feel guilty just touching a piece of fruit. But what if...
Upgrade from Bananas and Apples to These Powerhouse Fruits
I’m often asked which fruits are the best. So, let’s talk about it. I’ll cut right to the chase: berries win this contest hands down. If you’re limiting your options to apples and bananas, you’re missing out on a universe of superior antioxidant power. Those everyday fruits are like bringing a knife to a gunfight...
The REAL Reason Americans are Getting “Fatter”
You’ve heard it a thousand times: “Americans are getting fatter because we’re lazy.” We sit at desks all day. We binge-watch Netflix instead of hitting the gym. We’ve traded physical labor for sedentary lifestyles. It’s a tidy explanation for why obesity has skyrocketed in developed countries. There’s just one problem—it’s completely wrong… A groundbreaking Duke...
Mailbag: Room Won't Stop Spinning? Do THIS First
“I’m dealing with vertigo issues, lightheadedness, and dizziness. As recently as this last Saturday I had multiple occurrences throughout the day. Is there anything I can do for this? I’m 69 and in good health. I work out 4 to 5 times a week.” —Spinning Hi Spinning, When patients approach me with similar complaints, I...
Hidden Number Secretly Sabotages Male Performance
Guys (and gals that love them), we should talk. You know how we’ve always been told that bedroom troubles are just part of getting older—that we just need to live with them? Well, it turns out that’s not true. Scientists recently wrapped up a six-year study that followed over 100 healthy men, and the findings...
Shocking Study Links Kids' Snacks to Dangerous Early Puberty
Kids are growing up in a world vastly different from the one we knew. Back in our day, if a child wanted something sweet, it was a piece of candy or a homemade cookie. Today’s kids are surrounded by products filled with artificial sweeteners that didn’t even exist when we were raising our own children....
Outdated Vitamin Guidelines Put Your Brain at Risk
If you’re like most people, you probably don’t think twice about vitamin B12—until your doctor mentions it during a routine blood test. But new research published in the Annals of Neurology suggests we need to pay closer attention to this crucial nutrient—especially as we age. Turns out, current guidelines for this essential nutrient might be...
The TRUTH About Supplement "Liver Dangers" REVEALED
There’s been a lot of buzz lately about liver damage from supplements—so, let’s talk about it. Reports of supplement-induced liver injuries have some folks wondering, “Could my natural remedy actually be harming me?” But before you toss all your supplements in the trash, let’s separate fact from fear—and talk about how to use supplements safely....
The 10,000 Steps LIE That's Ruining Your Health
I’ll be honest—I’m a little sick of the 10,000-steps theory. You know, the one that insists you need to take at least that many steps daily to stay healthy? You won’t believe where that claim originally came from. The 10,000-steps theory wasn’t handed down from the fitness gods on stone tablets. It originated from a...