‘Playing mah-jongg good for the brain’

Deposed President Joseph Estrada and other mah-jongg aficionados are actually delaying the onset of memory loss by playing the popular Chinese tile game, neurologists said yesterday.

Dr. Socorro Martinez, a neurologist at the memory center of the St. Luke’s Medical Center in Quezon City, said mahjong was highly recommended for people who want to improve their mind since the game stimulates the brain and also one’s memory.

"It is good exercise for the brain. The brain is stimulated since one’s attention, concentration and executive planning senses get to work so one can get a ‘pong’ and win a game," Martinez said in a weekly health forum at Annabel’s Restaurant in Quezon City.

Martinez and Dr. Jackie Dominguez, also of the memory center, stressed the need for exercise of the brain to avoid the deterioration of one’s memory and neurological diseases such as dementia and Alzheimer’s.

The neurologists also stressed that it was a misperception to consider it normal when people become forgetful and suffer memory loss as they grow old, because this condition can be treated and even prevented.

"Forgetfulness or the ‘paguulyanin’ is not inevitable or normal in an older person. It should be treated and prevented by taking care of our brain and keeping it healthy," Martinez said.

The neurologists said the St. Luke’s memory center was put up precisely to help fight memory loss and deterioration.

They said there are many ways to maintain the health of our brain, among them playing mahjong and even simply reading a newspaper in the morning.

Martinez said earlier neurological studies made on mahjong players have shown that they have good memory and concentration.

However, she also stressed the need for moderation when playing as marathon sessions lasting through the night would result in lack of sleep — not good for the body and mind.

She said that listening to music and socializing with other people are likewise good ways to keep the brain healthy.

"So when your Grandma joins social groups such as the Catholic Women’s League or some other group, you should not discourage them since socializing keeps their brain healthy and it prevents them from becoming ‘ulyanin’," Martinez explained.