Brain Health: 5 Ways To Strengthen Your Most Valuable Organ

Jenelle Azore

Elderly Care

June 5, 2019

The first week of June is dedicated to bringing awareness to Alzheimer’s, dementia and improving brain health. Alzheimer’s is one of four common types of dementia and there are over 100 types of dementia (Source: Dementia Australia). It is normally diagnosed in senior citizens but a study shows that it truly starts when we are younger and takes decades to manifest itself (Source: Women’s Alzheimer Movement). Researchers project that in 2050 dementia will be the 3rd leading cause of death.

Here are 5 actionable steps to help prevent dementia that will also improve your brain health.

1)   Cut out the sugar and refined carbs while increasing good fat intake. “Diabesity” is a coined term used to refer to the link between dementia and diabetes. Studies show that people who are diagnosed as pre-diabetic have a higher risk of developing dementia (Source: Women’s Alzheimer Movement). A healthy diet means a healthier brain.

2)   Living a holistically balanced life. What you do with your body affects your brain. Living an isolated, sedentary lifestyle can increase your chances of getting dementia. To prevent this, you need to become more active. (source: NHS)

• eating healthy, balanced meals
• keeping blood pressure, glucose, and cholesterol at a healthy level
• maintaining a healthy weight
• exercising regularly
• being more social and active in your community
• keeping alcohol to a minimum
• stop smoking
• seek a therapist when needed.
• engage in mentally stimulating activities

3)   Sleep clears the mind and improves memory. “Studies suggest that sleep plays a role in clearing beta-amyloid out of the brain” (Source: NIH.gov). A study from the NIH’s National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism reports that sleep deprivation elevates levels of the beta-amyloid (a metabolic waste product found in the brain) and is linked to increased chances of early onset dementia. In short, save your brain by going to sleep!

4)   Stressing out? Take time to relax and regroup. A recent study suggests that living with moderate to severe anxiety in midlife may lead to dementia in later years (Source: Medical News Today).

5)   Start young. Dementia is not an “old person’s disease”. It starts decades before it is detectable. To prevent dementia, practice all of the above steps to a healthier life and try to start today! For a person that was already diagnosed with early onset of dementia, living a healthier life slows the progress.

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