Thanks to improved healthcare and better nutrition, we are living longer and longer, and unfortunately this means that many of us will suffer the onset of Alzheimer's or some form of dementia before we die.
For anyone who has witnessed Alzheimer's in a relative, the thought of succumbing to it is extremely disturbing.
Encouragingly, though, it now seems likely that lifestyle has at least as much to do with Alzheimer's as genetic factors do.
On the face of it, it would seem that those with a close relative who suffered from Alzheimer's have a heightened risk of developing the disease, yes.
However it is possible that this is because of habits shared with that relative rather than due to DNA inheritance.
Here are five tips that should help you to stay mentally sharp and keep dementia at bay.
1.
Diet Eating nutritionally balanced meals is good for your brain as well as the rest of your body.
In particular it's important to consumer plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables.
Fish oils are also good brain food, helping to build up the myelin sheaths in which nerve cells are coated.
2.
Supplements It may make sense to take supplements to boost the health giving effects of your regular diet.
You should see a GP before going down this route - supplements are not cheap and don't always help much.
If you don't like eating fatty fish then taking Omega 3 tablets is a possibility though, for example.
3.
Exercise A fit healthy body performs better in all sorts of ways.
Exercise increases blood flow to the brain, and hence more oxygen is delivered to brain cells.
Moreover it can stimulate the production of growth factors - these are substances the body produces to repair and maintain nerve cells.
4.
Keep your cholesterol level low.
Many patients with early dementia or Alzheimer's symptoms have had mini-strokes which have damaged the brain's neurotransmitters.
Keeping blood cholesterol at a healthy level helps to keep arteries clear thus preventing the onset of a stroke in the first place.
5.
Exercise your brain as well as your body Mental exercise will help to maintain the condition of the brain.
Keeping abreast of the news, learning new information and continuing to socialise with friends and family can all help to keep the brain alert.
Some cognitive decline is inevitable with age, however the harder you work your brain the more you can do to delay this.
If you don't want to lose it, use it is the message.
For anyone who has witnessed Alzheimer's in a relative, the thought of succumbing to it is extremely disturbing.
Encouragingly, though, it now seems likely that lifestyle has at least as much to do with Alzheimer's as genetic factors do.
On the face of it, it would seem that those with a close relative who suffered from Alzheimer's have a heightened risk of developing the disease, yes.
However it is possible that this is because of habits shared with that relative rather than due to DNA inheritance.
Here are five tips that should help you to stay mentally sharp and keep dementia at bay.
1.
Diet Eating nutritionally balanced meals is good for your brain as well as the rest of your body.
In particular it's important to consumer plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables.
Fish oils are also good brain food, helping to build up the myelin sheaths in which nerve cells are coated.
2.
Supplements It may make sense to take supplements to boost the health giving effects of your regular diet.
You should see a GP before going down this route - supplements are not cheap and don't always help much.
If you don't like eating fatty fish then taking Omega 3 tablets is a possibility though, for example.
3.
Exercise A fit healthy body performs better in all sorts of ways.
Exercise increases blood flow to the brain, and hence more oxygen is delivered to brain cells.
Moreover it can stimulate the production of growth factors - these are substances the body produces to repair and maintain nerve cells.
4.
Keep your cholesterol level low.
Many patients with early dementia or Alzheimer's symptoms have had mini-strokes which have damaged the brain's neurotransmitters.
Keeping blood cholesterol at a healthy level helps to keep arteries clear thus preventing the onset of a stroke in the first place.
5.
Exercise your brain as well as your body Mental exercise will help to maintain the condition of the brain.
Keeping abreast of the news, learning new information and continuing to socialise with friends and family can all help to keep the brain alert.
Some cognitive decline is inevitable with age, however the harder you work your brain the more you can do to delay this.
If you don't want to lose it, use it is the message.
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