commons.wikimedia.org No matter what your age, the thought of dementia affecting you is abhorrent. You'd do anything to ensure your own lucid future, right?
While there’s still no cure or way to reverse dementia, there are five measures you can take in your lifestyle to give you a fighting chance—cut your risk by more than a third.
Analysis by Age UK suggested that lifestyle was responsible for 76% of changes in the brain. That's understandable. The way we live, love and play affects our body too.
So, without further ado, here they are:
Take regular physical exercise. (Studies suggest that exercise three to five times a week for between 30 minutes and an hour is beneficial.)
Don't smoke.
Drink alcohol in moderation. (While heavy drinking was linked to dementia, drinking moderate levels of alcohol was found to be beneficial.)
While there’s still no cure or way to reverse dementia, there are five measures you can take in your lifestyle to give you a fighting chance—cut your risk by more than a third.
Analysis by Age UK suggested that lifestyle was responsible for 76% of changes in the brain. That's understandable. The way we live, love and play affects our body too.
So, without further ado, here they are:
Take regular physical exercise. (Studies suggest that exercise three to five times a week for between 30 minutes and an hour is beneficial.)
Don't smoke.
Drink alcohol in moderation. (While heavy drinking was linked to dementia, drinking moderate levels of alcohol was found to be beneficial.)
pixabay.com Eat a Mediterranean diet. (Mediterranean cuisine varies by region, but is largely based on vegetables, fruits, beans, whole grains, olive oil and fish.)
Prevent and treat diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity.
The University of Edinburgh researchers revealed that more than three quarters of cognitive decline (age-related changes in brain skills like memory and speed of thinking) is down to lifestyle and other environmental factors including level of education.
That's the first time I've heard about education being part of the mix. I'm not sure how that can affect health—maybe it's more about lifestyle.
Young binge drinkers take note: The review supported claims that very heavy drinking increases the risk of developing dementia as it results in the loss of brain tissue, particularly in the parts responsible for memory, processing and interpreting what you see.
Prevent and treat diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity.
The University of Edinburgh researchers revealed that more than three quarters of cognitive decline (age-related changes in brain skills like memory and speed of thinking) is down to lifestyle and other environmental factors including level of education.
That's the first time I've heard about education being part of the mix. I'm not sure how that can affect health—maybe it's more about lifestyle.
Young binge drinkers take note: The review supported claims that very heavy drinking increases the risk of developing dementia as it results in the loss of brain tissue, particularly in the parts responsible for memory, processing and interpreting what you see.
commons.wikimedia.org Here's the disclaimer: Diseases like Alzheimer’s are complex and are likely to be caused by a mixture of genetic and environmental factors, which are still not fully understood. While there are ways to reduce our risk of dementia, there is currently no sure-fire way to prevent the condition.
See more at The Telegraph.
My assessment of myself: I've lived a good life, with no impairment to my brain so far as I can tell. At nearly 73, my body is showing signs of aging—like wrinkles on the legs, but not many on the face. My hair is a lovely silver color, complimented by my skin. Oh, and I like to create fiction. I do as much exercise as I am able, I don't drink (alcohol) or smoke, and my diet consists of plenty of vegetables and fruit.
How about you?
See more at The Telegraph.
My assessment of myself: I've lived a good life, with no impairment to my brain so far as I can tell. At nearly 73, my body is showing signs of aging—like wrinkles on the legs, but not many on the face. My hair is a lovely silver color, complimented by my skin. Oh, and I like to create fiction. I do as much exercise as I am able, I don't drink (alcohol) or smoke, and my diet consists of plenty of vegetables and fruit.
How about you?
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