June was Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month and I somehow missed it. Maybe because here at the Oliver homestead we live with the consequences of Alzheimer’s disease every day.
How can you avoid being in the same situation? The Alzheimer’s Association encourages us all to adopt healthy lifestyles that can help reduce the risk of developing cognitive problems.
To put that into perspective, more than 6 million Americans age 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s disease, including 230,000 residents of Illinois. Since my husband Tony was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s at the age of 57, he is part of a small percentage of those with early onset Alzheimer’s.
Unfortunately, age is the biggest risk factor for developing the disease. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, one in three seniors age 85 or older will have it. Although some brain changes inevitably occur as we age, there is a growing body of research showing that a healthy lifestyle, including eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, quitting smoking and maintaining cognitive function, can help reduce the risk and help with aging. healthier.
“Understanding the role that healthy behaviors can play in reducing cognitive decline is a strong area of research right now,” Delia Jervier, executive director of the Alzheimer’s Association of Illinois, said in a news release. “Researchers are working to determine what the optimal lifestyle ‘prescription’ for reducing cognitive decline might be, but there are steps we can take now to age well and help reduce our risk of cognitive decline.”
The Alzheimer’s Association offers these tips as part of an effort to promote better brain health and help prevent cognitive problems:
Exercise regularly: Regular cardiovascular exercise helps increase blood flow to the body and brain, and there is strong evidence that regular physical activity is associated with better memory and thinking.
Maintain a heart-healthy diet: Stick to a meal schedule full of fruits and vegetables to ensure a well-balanced diet. Some evidence suggests that a healthy diet is associated with cognitive performance. The Mediterranean and DASH diets, which emphasize whole grains, green leafy vegetables, fish and berries, have been linked to better cognitive function and help reduce the risk of heart disease.
Get Adequate Sleep: Maintaining a regular, uninterrupted sleep pattern benefits physical and mental health and helps clear the brain. Adults should get at least seven hours of sleep each night and try to stick to a regular bedtime routine.
Stay socially and mentally active: Meaningful social engagement can support cognitive health, so stay connected with friends and family. Engage your mind with activities that distract you, such as completing puzzles or playing strategy games. Or learn a new language or how to play a musical instrument.
Maintain a healthy heart: A recent study shows strong evidence that a healthier heart is associated with a healthier brain. A study suggests that aggressive treatment of high blood pressure in older adults may help reduce the development of mild cognitive impairment.
“Engaging these behaviors becomes especially important as we age,” Jervier said. “However, there are good guidelines to follow at any age. Research shows that incorporating these behaviors in combination will have the greatest benefit, but even if you start with one or two, you’re moving in the right direction.”
To learn more about how to reduce your risk of cognitive decline through lifestyle changes, visit alz.org.
It may be too late to use these tips to prevent Tony from developing his disease, but they may help slow its progression.
If nothing else, they might help me stay healthy enough to continue caring for him.
• Joan Oliver is a former assistant editor of the Northwest Herald. She has been associated with the Northwest Herald since 1990. She can be reached at jolivercolumn@gmail.com.
Joan Oliver
A 30-year newspaper veteran who has served as a copy editor, cover editor, feature editor, assistant news editor and publication editor, as well as a columnist and host of an online newspaper show.
What food fights dementia?
7 foods that can fight dementia and Alzheimer’s disease Read also : Most Men Value Playing Video Games, Drinking Over Good Sleep.
- Leafy vegetables. Kale, collard greens, spinach, and Swiss chard are just some of the leafy greens high in essential B vitamins like folate and B9, which can help reduce depression while improving cognition. …
- Strawberries. …
- Walnuts. …
- Omega-3. …
- Crossroads. …
- Spices. …
- Seeds.
What foods should dementia patients avoid? The MIND diet specifically limits red meat, butter and margarine, cheese, pastries and sweets, and fried or fast food. You should eat less than 4 servings of red meat a week, less than a tablespoon of butter a day, and less than a serving a week of each of the following: full-fat cheese, fried foods, and fast food.
How can you reverse dementia naturally?
Similarly, dementia can be cured if caught early enough and by addressing all the factors that affect brain function—including diet, exercise, stress, nutritional deficiencies, toxins, hormonal imbalances, and inflammation. This may interest you : Crop health all summer long.
What is the one food that fights dementia?
Leafy green vegetables. What is the number one food in the fight against dementia? Green leafy vegetables are probably the number one food that fights dementia. See the article : We need a faster food revolution for people and the planet. They have a powerful, positive effect on cognitive health.
Are bananas good for dementia patients?
“Our results suggest that fresh apples, bananas, and oranges in our daily diet, along with other fruits, can protect neuronal cells from neurotoxicity caused by oxidative stress and may play an important role in reducing the risk of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease,” Lee concluded.
Does fruit help with dementia? Research shows that those who eat more fruits and vegetables have a lower risk of developing dementia.
Which fruit is good for dementia?
Raspberries, blueberries, blackberries and cherries contain a flavonoid called anthocyanin, which stops the progression of brain damage triggered by free radicals. These and other berries are also full of antioxidants and a wealth of vitamins that help reduce inflammation and help you maintain good brain health.
What is the one food that fights dementia?
Leafy green vegetables. What is the number one food in the fight against dementia? Green leafy vegetables are probably the number one food that fights dementia. They have a powerful, positive effect on cognitive health.
Should dementia patients watch TV?
Researchers from University College London say that binge watching can cause memory loss and contribute to the development of dementia. They found that people over the age of 50 who watch more than 3.5 hours of television a day are more exposed to memory loss.
Which oil is best for brain?
Omega-3 fatty acids are polyunsaturated fats responsible for most of the brain and mental health benefits of fish oil. Fish oil mainly contains two types of omega-3 fatty acids – EPA and DHA. These two fatty acids are components of cell membranes and have strong anti-inflammatory functions in the body.
Which hair oil is good for the brain? Ramtirth Brahmi Oil has been proven to be beneficial in hair problems due to its potent and effective Ayurvedic ingredients, it promotes the growth of long and shiny hair. It helps in the treatment of dandruff, burning eyes, brain and good sleep.
What type of oil improves brain health and may prevent memory loss?
Extra virgin olive oil preserves memory, protects the brain from Alzheimer’s disease. Summary: A Mediterranean diet is associated with a variety of health benefits, including a lower incidence of dementia. Now researchers have identified a specific ingredient that protects against cognitive decline: extra virgin olive oil.
What oil is good for memory?
Recent studies show that several essential oils, including lavender, bergamot and lemon, can calm patients with memory impairment. The oils suppress aggression and agitation. In addition to alleviating symptoms associated with memory impairment, aromatherapy can improve cognitive function.
What is the best to healthy brain?
Leafy greens like kale, spinach, kale and broccoli are rich in brain-healthy nutrients like vitamin K, lutein, folate and beta carotene. Research shows that these plant foods can help slow cognitive decline.
