It is never too early to start protecting your brain. According to an article in the Huffington Post, by the year 2030, 615,000 people are said to be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. By 2050, that annual number is expected to be just under 1 million, with someone developing Alzheimer's every 33 seconds.
Those are very harrowing statistics. But, there are things that we can do to hopefully change those numbers.
Dr. Cindy Haines shares 6 Lifestyle changes to protect your brainpower:
1. Avoid other chronic conditions – People with other chronic conditions, like diabetes, are about twice as likely to develop dementia. Obesity, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure are all potentially chronic problems that you can control.
2. Try Mediterranean food – The Mediterranean diet is gaining support in its use in preventing dementia. Lots of fruits and vegetables, whole-grain bread and other whole-grain foods, and beans, seeds and nuts.
3. Stay Active – Regular exercise keeps your blood vessels healthy, which can help prevent vascular dementia and forms of Alzheimer’s.
4. Avoid Tobacco Smoke – Smoking is has been proven to increase the risk of Alzheimer’s. Furthermore, new research is suggesting that simply being exposed to tobacco smoke can also increase that risk.
5. Keep your brain busy and stay socially engaged – Studies have shown that people who keep their brains active are less likely to develop dementia. Activities like crossword puzzles and reading increase your cognitive reserve.
6. Keep an eye on depression - There still needs to be more research involving exactly how depression and dementia are linked, but studies show that there is a strong connection between the two.
Like I said earlier, it is important to start taking precautions to prevent dementia, no matter your age.
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