Dr. Lewis-Hall's Tests for Strength & Memory

Aired on: October 11, 2012

According to Dr. Freda Lewis-Hall, chief medical officer at Pfizer, if you want to slow down the aging process, three factors to focus on are balance, strength and memory. "Strength is a really important thing, not just for lifting and getting things done in daily life," she explains, "but it's also important because as you improve your strength, your strength does a few things for you: It protects your joints, it strengthens your muscles, it may even protect your heart and it reduces pain. Even your sleep is improved when you increase your strength."

Memory is vital because it leads to your ability to do so many other things in your life. "The key to your brain is use it or lose it," says Dr. Lewis-Hall. "If you exercise your brain just like you do your body, you can get some of the memory back or at least retain the memory that you do have."

Watch the video above to see Dr. Lewis-Hall's tests and exercises for strength and memory, and get her tips for improving balance here.