Dementia is one of the biggest concerns in society for growing old age people. While you may have been told that all you can do is hope for the best and wait for a pharmaceutical cure, the truth is much more encouraging. You can reduce your Alzheimer’s risk and other dementias with a combination of easy and simple but effective lifestyle changes. Lead a brain-healthy lifestyle, so that you can prevent the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease and slow down or even reverse the deterioration process.
Prevent Dementia
As of now, prevention is the cure for dementia. People at risk should be encouraged to make positive lifestyle changes to prevent the disease. Here are some tips that you can follow to better your brain health and work to prevent this disease:
Also Read: 4 Simple Ways To Avoid Unwanted Pregnancy
- Learn any other language- Adding another language to your vocabulary maypostpone the onset of Alzheimer’s by some years.
- Drink raw fruit and vegetable juices- Drinking fruit and vegetable juices more than thrice a week couldcut the risk of developing Alzheimer’s.
- Add Vitamin K supplement to your diet- Vitamin K, known as the forgotten vitamin plays an important role in anti-aging and help in preventing dementia problems. Because vitamin K is not found in most multivitamins, generally people consume vitamin K majorly through green leafy vegetables or through a vitamin K supplement.
- Reduce Stress- Anxiety is connected with the development of Alzheimer’s, especially in people who are already at risk for the disease. In fact, people who hadmild cognitive impairment and reported high levels of anxiety are more likely to develop Alzheimer.
- Commit to regular exercise- You’ll need to be active enough to raise your heart rate and get a bit out of breath. You can walk, cycle, swim or join an exercise or dance group. Daily physical exercise for middle or older adults reduces the risk of developing dementia. Exercise leaves a better impact on your heart and mental well-being. Exercise like this brings health benefits even if you’re not losing weight.
- Laugh more- Laughter is more than good for the soul. Playing, laughing and being active not only help to engage the brain but it also grows the new brain cells. Laughing is considered as one of the best part of dementia care.
- Make time for meditation-People who do yoga and meditation had less brain atrophy than those who do not. Meditation can increase the protective tissue in the brain; can help aged people feel less stressed. Stress is known to increase the risk of developing dementia faster.
- Quit smoking- If you already do smoke, try to stop it. Smoking increases your risk of developing dementia and harming your lungs, heart, and circulation.
- Adopt a Mediterranean diet- Following a Mediterranean diet high in fish, olive oil, chicken, and other foods high in omega – 3s, may improve dementia cognition and lower the risk of cognitive decline.
- Learn the early Alzheimer’s symptoms- Prior recognition is helpful in slowing down the progression of Alzheimer’s. Understanding and identifying symptoms as they first appear means that it can be a cure. Early signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s include losing the record of dates, vision issues and trouble accomplishing familiar tasks.
- Sleep better- Lack of sleep is also connected to a myriad of health problems including stress, which is a high-risk factor for Alzheimer’s.
- Limit sugar intake- Diabetes has been closely linked to Alzheimer’s; it is even called the3rd type of diabetes. Manage your sugar consumption and blood sugar levels to keep your brain healthy.
- Keep your alcohol within recommended limits – Drink alcohol in recommended quantity. Regularly exceeding limits/ quantity can increase the risk of dementia
- Engage your brain with daily workout – Solving puzzles, reading books / magazines, playing cards, word searches or crosswords or learning something new. If you can keep your mind occupied you are likely to reduce your risk of dementia. Also, being socially engaged and having a good social network also reduces your dementia risk. Meet more people, join a club or volunteer.
Also Read: Heart Attack- Know the risk
It’s never too late to initiate with good habits, mid-life is a good time to begin making healthy choices if you’re not already doing so. In fact, you’ll find it better to adopt a healthier lifestyle if it is in your normal daily routine. Get your friends and family to support you or better yet they join you.
