Don’t wait until you’re older: Start protecting your brain now
If you’re in your 40s or beyond, the specter of losing your memory to Alzheimer’s disease can be frightening. With a lot of medical information available, you may wonder what you as an individual can do to prevent it.
Researchers now have given us simple news about on what to do throughout life to reduce risk: Take care of your heart, and you’ll be taking care of your brain at the same time.
The link between heart disease and Alzheimer’s is growing. The Alzheimer’s Association predicts that it will continue to grow. The heart is the organ that supplies essential elements to every part of the body, and the brain is one of the most important parts.
Risk factors for the two diseases are essentially the same.
One study showed that people with high cholesterol in their 40s and 50s were three to five times more likely to become demented later in life. Blood vessels become stiff and lead to a decrease in nutrients to the brain.
Some things to do now:
- Stop smoking. Smoking just 10 to 20 cigarettes per day can double or triple the risk of dementia.
- Exercise regularly to send oxygen-rich blood flowing to the brain.
- Take steps to reduce stress throughout life. Meditate, walk, garden, or work on a hobby.
- Eat a rainbow of fruits and vegetables to get phytochemicals and antioxidants. Drink enough water to rid your body of toxins.
- Keep your blood pressure under control naturally or with medication.
- Avoid diabetes or use medications to keep blood sugar in the normal range.
