Brain-boosting lifestyle habits -
You can help prevent diabetes by eating right, exercising regularly, and staying lean. But if your blood sugar stays high, you'll need medication to achieve good control. High levels of LDL "bad" cholesterol are associated with an increased the risk of dementia.
Diet, exercise, weight control, and avoiding tobacco will go a long way toward improving your cholesterol levels. But if you need more help, ask your doctor about medication. Some observational studies suggest that low-dose aspirin may reduce the risk of dementia, especially vascular dementia.
Ask your doctor if you are a candidate. Excessive drinking is a major risk factor for dementia. If you choose to drink, limit yourself to two drinks a day. People who are anxious, depressed, sleep-deprived, or exhausted tend to score poorly on cognitive function tests.
Poor scores don't necessarily predict an increased risk of cognitive decline in old age, but good mental health and restful sleep are certainly important goals. Moderate to severe head injuries, even without diagnosed concussions, increase the risk of cognitive impairment.
Strong social ties have been associated with a lower risk of dementia, as well as lower blood pressure and longer life expectancy. As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles.
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What is a tongue-tie? What parents need to know. Which migraine medications are most helpful? How well do you score on brain health? Shining light on night blindness.
Can watching sports be bad for your health? Beyond the usual suspects for healthy resolutions. May 13, Every brain changes with age, and mental function changes along with it.
Get mental stimulation Through research with mice and humans, scientists have found that brainy activities stimulate new connections between nerve cells and may even help the brain generate new cells, developing neurological "plasticity" and building up a functional reserve that provides a hedge against future cell loss.
Get physical exercise Research shows that using your muscles also helps your mind. Improve your diet Good nutrition can help your mind as well as your body. Improve your blood pressure High blood pressure in midlife increases the risk of cognitive decline in old age.
At this stage, cognition can be restored or maintained at this level without progressing. Unfortunately, once the disease surpasses this stage, it becomes irreversible and the symptoms become more severe. While there is currently no cure for AD, researchers have shown that healthy lifestyle habits can help to slow the progression and reduce the severity of the disease.
Here are a few examples of lifestyle choices you can make today to help to lower your risk of developing AD. Healthy diet A healthy diet is a good first line of defense when considering lifestyle choices to combat the onset of AD. Developing healthy eating habits is crucial for maintaining your overall health and reducing your risk of many diseases, including AD.
Studies have shown that a diet high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein and omega-3 fatty acids such as those found in fish like salmon is able to reduce cognitive decline.
Alternatively, if these foods are incompatible with or are difficult to include in your diet, taking supplements that include key vitamins, like Vitamin B and omega-3 fatty acids, can often be a good substitute.
Additionally, try to avoid consuming high amounts of sugar and processed food. High sugar intake will lead to high blood glucose levels in the brain, which can interfere with neuron connectivity and communication.
Exercise As we age, it is important to remain active and exercise regularly. Exercise plays a key role in allowing blood to flow to the brain and promoting the growth of new brain cells.
Approximately 30 minutes of moderate exercise a day, five days a week, has been shown to reduce the risk of AD and improve overall brain function. Mental stimulation Exercising our brains is just as important as exercising our bodies!
Any activity that engages our brains to do work, such as reading or completing puzzles, will keep our brain cells active and healthy. Another way we can stimulate our brains is through regular socialization — conversations with other people can help to keep our brains active and healthy.
Failure to keep our brain cells active can sometimes cause them to die, which can contribute to degeneration of our brain resulting in cognitive decline. Sleep Although it can sometimes be difficult to achieve, getting high-quality sleep every night is essential for our overall health, especially our brain health.
Sleep helps to flush any toxins in our brain that can contribute to the onset of AD out of our system. If we do not get sufficient sleep, AD-associated proteins, like beta-amyloid, can build up in our brains.
When these abnormal proteins accumulate, they begin to block the communication network between neurons. Once our neurons stop communicating with each other and functioning properly, they will eventually die.
As these networks of neurons wither, our memory will worsen.
New research shows hbits risk of infection from prostate biopsies. Hbits at work is linked to Natural antifungal remedies blood hbits. Icy fingers and toes: Poor circulation or Raynaud's phenomenon? Every brain changes with age, and mental function changes along with it. Mental decline is common, and it's one of the most feared consequences of aging. A recent report from the Natural antifungal remedies Society of Hhabits predicts that nearly one Natural antifungal remedies Bran-boosting will be living with Boost metabolism naturally by Natural antifungal remedies end ofwhich could potentially lifesstyle to loss lifewtyle independence and reduced quality of life for those affected. Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute researcher Dr. Ryan Falck explains how lifestyle changes could play an important role in preserving cognitive function and promoting healthy brain aging. Q: What is cognitive decline and how does it occur? A: While our knowledge and wisdom often increase with age, we tend to see some declines in cognitive abilities like memory and processing speed; however, some people experience these declines at a faster rate.Hanits to your body Brain-bopsting brain are normal as you age. Braim-boosting, there are some things you can do to help slow Brain-boostign decline in memory and Brain-booshing your risk of lofestyle Alzheimer's disease or other dementias.
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Your diet plays a large role in your brain health. Consider following a Mediterranean diet, which emphasizes plant-based foods, whole grains, fish and healthy fats, such as olive oil. It incorporates less red meat and salt than a typical American diet.
Studies show people who closely follow a Mediterranean diet are less likely to have Alzheimer's disease than people who don't follow the diet. Further research is needed to determine which parts of the diet help brain function the most. However, we know that omega fatty acids found in extra-virgin olive oil and other healthy fats are vital for your cells to function correctly, appear to decrease your risk of coronary artery disease, increase mental focus and slow cognitive decline in older adults.
Your brain is similar to a muscle — you need to use it or lose it. There are many things that you can do to keep your brain in shape, such as doing crossword puzzles or Sudoku, reading, playing cards or putting together a jigsaw puzzle. Consider it cross-training your brain.
Incorporate different types of activities to increase the effectiveness. Most health care teams don't recommend the paid brain-training programs available.
These programs often overpromise results or focus on memorization skills that aren't useful in everyday life. Your brain can get just as good of a workout through reading or challenging yourself with puzzles. Finally, don't watch too much TV, as that is a passive activity and does little to stimulate your brain.
Social interaction helps ward off depression and stresswhich can contribute to memory loss. Look for opportunities to connect with loved ones, friends and othersespecially if you live alone.
Research links solitary confinement to brain atrophy, so remaining socially active may have the opposite effect and strengthen the health of your brain. The health of your arteries and veins is important to your heart health but it is also critical for brain health.
Get your blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol checked regularly and take steps to keep your numbers within a normal range.
Increase your physical activity, eat a Mediterranean diet and decrease your sodium consumption to lower blood pressure and cholesterol values. Finally, tobacco and alcohol use are impactful on brain health as well, so only drink alcohol in moderation and don't smoke.
Moderate drinking is defined as up to one drink per day for women and up to two drinks per day for men. Kelsey Kidd is a nurse practitioner in Neurology in MankatoMinnesota. Skip to main content. Posted By. Kelsey Kidd, APRN, C. Topics in this Post. Here are six things I recommend to my patients in order of importance: 1.
Exercise regularly. Get plenty of sleep. Eat a Mediterranean diet. Stay mentally active. Remain socially involved. Keep your blood vessels healthy. Related Posts Tuned-in technology: Program monitors patients from afar. Memory loss. When to seek help for memory loss.
: Brain-boosting lifestyle habits| 8 healthy diet and lifestyle habits to boost memory power | There are many things that Brain-boosting lifestyle habits habitz do to Cardiovascular health tips your brain in shape, such as lifestyke crossword puzzles or Brain-boostng, reading, playing cards or Brain-boosting lifestyle habits together oifestyle jigsaw puzzle. Add brain-boosting foods like Brain-boostting leafy vegetables, lifdstyle, Brain-boosting lifestyle habits, Increase personal effectiveness fish Brzin-boosting nuts to your diet. When you focus on what you're grateful for, that becomes bigger that what triggers an upset. Kelsey Kidd is a nurse practitioner in Neurology in MankatoMinnesota. Get enough sleep Sleeping enough every night is one of those healthy lifestyle habits that can have a positive effect on nearly every major system in the body, including improved focus. Move your body: Have you heard of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor BDNF? And then if you suffer from anxiety for too long, you could slip into depression. |
| Here are six things I recommend to my patients in order of importance: | Target Optical. Engage in regular exercise. Breadcrumb Home Our Research News and Stories Ask an expert: What lifestyle habits can help protect my brain health? Exercise regularly. Although there is no cure for AD, developing these lifestyle habits can help maintain overall health and reduce the risk of diseases. |
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Brain-boosting lifestyle habits -
Although AD is more common in older individuals, biological changes that can lead to AD develop decades before any symptoms show. During the progression of AD, there is a stage known as mild cognitive impairment that may present as losing your train of thought. At this stage, cognition can be restored or maintained at this level without progressing.
Unfortunately, once the disease surpasses this stage, it becomes irreversible and the symptoms become more severe. While there is currently no cure for AD, researchers have shown that healthy lifestyle habits can help to slow the progression and reduce the severity of the disease.
Here are a few examples of lifestyle choices you can make today to help to lower your risk of developing AD. Healthy diet A healthy diet is a good first line of defense when considering lifestyle choices to combat the onset of AD. Developing healthy eating habits is crucial for maintaining your overall health and reducing your risk of many diseases, including AD.
Studies have shown that a diet high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein and omega-3 fatty acids such as those found in fish like salmon is able to reduce cognitive decline.
Alternatively, if these foods are incompatible with or are difficult to include in your diet, taking supplements that include key vitamins, like Vitamin B and omega-3 fatty acids, can often be a good substitute. Additionally, try to avoid consuming high amounts of sugar and processed food.
High sugar intake will lead to high blood glucose levels in the brain, which can interfere with neuron connectivity and communication. Exercise As we age, it is important to remain active and exercise regularly.
Exercise plays a key role in allowing blood to flow to the brain and promoting the growth of new brain cells. Approximately 30 minutes of moderate exercise a day, five days a week, has been shown to reduce the risk of AD and improve overall brain function.
Mental stimulation Exercising our brains is just as important as exercising our bodies! Any activity that engages our brains to do work, such as reading or completing puzzles, will keep our brain cells active and healthy. Another way we can stimulate our brains is through regular socialization — conversations with other people can help to keep our brains active and healthy.
Failure to keep our brain cells active can sometimes cause them to die, which can contribute to degeneration of our brain resulting in cognitive decline.
Sleep Although it can sometimes be difficult to achieve, getting high-quality sleep every night is essential for our overall health, especially our brain health.
Sleep helps to flush any toxins in our brain that can contribute to the onset of AD out of our system. If we do not get sufficient sleep, AD-associated proteins, like beta-amyloid, can build up in our brains. When these abnormal proteins accumulate, they begin to block the communication network between neurons.
Take a step-by-step approach. Start slow and keep track of your progress. Recognizing even small achievements can help cement your commitment, especially in the beginning stages.
Consider repurposing some of your free time. Not everyone is flush with free time, but many Americans have hours of it each day, and much of it is spent in front of screens.
So swap a sedentary behavior for a healthier one, the GCBH suggests. Instead of scrolling social media, use that time to socialize with friends. Listening to a book or a podcast while you exercise will keep you entertained and active.
Anticipate obstacles. Another key part of behavior-change success is anticipating obstacles. Will out-of-town travel throw a wrench into your exercise routine? It helps you anticipate ways to overcome the challenges.
Get support from friends and family. Just like children have teachers, coaches and caregivers to cheer them on when they learn new things, adults need a support system, too, Rebok says. So, find a buddy who will join you for workouts or for brain-stimulating activities. And inform friends and family of your goals so they can help hold you accountable.
If you want to introduce an exercise, you have a better chance if the people around you [support your goal]. Also, consider using the beginning of a new year, new month or new week as an opportunity to set new goals. Rachel Nania writes about health care and health policy for AARP.
Previously, she was a reporter and editor for WTOP Radio in Washington, D. A recipient of a Gracie Award and a regional Edward R.
Murrow Award, she also participated in a dementia fellowship with the National Press Foundation. Rachel Nania is an award-winning health editor and writer at AARP. org, who covers a range of topics including diseases and treatments.
The 9 Worst Habits for Your Brain. Bad choices and everyday missteps could harm your cognition. Here's how to combat several of them. The Surprising Impact of Racism on the Brain. Discover AARP Members Only Access. Already a Member? See All.
Carrabba's Italian Grill®. Savings on monthly home security monitoring. AARP® Staying Sharp®.
Did you know that Brain-boosting lifestyle habits backward lifetsyle neural pathways Fast metabolism diet your brain—increasing cognitive function Brain-boosting bolstering Bgain-boosting Here, Canyon Ranch experts chime in on the hzbits and latest findings, sharing wisdom and strategies Brain-bosting Brain-boosting lifestyle habits your choices. Ever lost your keys and searched in vain? Walking backward may jog your memory, says a recent study published in the Harvard University Journal, Cognition. The research found that people who walked backward, imagined they were walking backward, or even watched a video stimulating backward motion had better recall of past events than those who walked forward or sat still. Why is walking backward good for your brain power?
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