Alzheimer's: Taking Care of Your Brain
As we age, some cognitive decline is expected. However, we can keep our brains in better condition and help to prevent diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. It's important to note that while these lifestyle choices may help reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease, they do not guarantee complete prevention. Everyone is different, and it's always a good idea to consult healthcare professionals for personalized advice and guidance on maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Here are some natural lifestyle choices that have been associated with a lower risk of Alzheimer's:
Regular Physical Exercise: Regular physical activity, such as aerobic exercises, chi gong, or Dao-In yoga, has been linked to a reduced risk of cognitive decline. Exercise promotes better blood flow to the brain, improves brain health, and may help prevent the formation of plaques and tangles, characteristic of Alzheimer's disease.
Healthy Diet: Regardless of age, paying attention to our diet is crucial because any positive changes we make can have significant benefits. Food is a form of medicine to protect both our hearts and brains. The Mediterranean diet, rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, fish, and healthy fats like olive oil, has been associated with a reduced risk of Alzheimer's disease. Antioxidant-rich foods like berries and leafy green vegetables may also be beneficial. Be sure to get the right amount of vitamins in your diet. The B vitamins – 1,2,3,6,9, and 12 – play an important role in brain health. They may help prevent dementia and boost the production of neurotransmitters – chemicals that deliver messages between neurons in the brain and body.
Mental Stimulation: Keeping your brain engaged through mental stimulation may help preserve cognitive function. Activities such as reading, puzzles, digital brain training apps, music therapy, art, learning new skills, and social interactions can help maintain cognitive abilities and potentially reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease.
Meditation: We may not realize it, but meditation helps maintain a youthful brain. By age 50, the brain of people who meditated were nearly a decade younger than those of their non-meditating peers. Commit to meditating for a few minutes daily and stick with it until it becomes a habit. Short but consistent periods of meditation are very likely to slow age-related decline and improve cognitive function.
Quality Sleep: Poor sleep or sleep disorders have been linked to an increased risk of cognitive decline. Prioritizing good sleep hygiene and aiming for adequate, restful sleep is crucial. Sleep apnea is also associated with an increased risk of dementia because the brain isn't getting enough oxygen, so make good quality of sleep a priority and treat sleep apnea if you have it.
Stress Management: Chronic stress may contribute to cognitive decline over time. Adopting stress management techniques such as mindfulness meditation, deep breathing exercises, chi gong, or engaging in hobbies and activities that bring joy and relaxation can benefit brain health.
Social Engagement: Maintaining an active social life and engaging in meaningful social interactions can help support brain health. A regular social meeting has been associated with a reduced risk of cognitive decline and may contribute to cognitive reserve.
It's important to note that while these lifestyle choices may help reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease, they do not guarantee complete prevention. Contact us so the doctors at Tao of Wellness can create a personalized program for you and your loved ones, integrating Eastern and Western medical approaches to support healthy brain function.