Who doesn’t want to live longer?
Aging gracefully is a blessing, but in some cases, you may find it harder to remember
things.
Dementia can diminish your quality of life to the point where it wouldn’t be enjoyable
even if you lived over a hundred, anyway.
While dementia could have a lot to do with your genes, some sneaky habits can quickly
push you towards it.
In today's video we’re talking about everyday habits that can increase your risk of dementia.
How important is working out?
Should you be having that glass of wine at dinner every day?
Let's discuss all this and more.
1.
Not exercising your brain The way you live can actually have a huge
impact on your brain health.
Without relying on advanced medicine you can head the opposite direction of dementia with
simple lifestyle modifications.
Around 55 million people have dementia worldwide and the number is expected to rise to 139
million by 2050.
Scientists believe that there is not much you can do when you start showing signs of
dementia.
Therefore the only way out is prevention.
Keeping your brain active can actually help change these statistics.
Games are not just meant for children, they can direct your brain into rational thinking.
Engage in puzzles, crosswords, and mind games.
Time yourself when you solve a Rubik's Cube and aim at solving it faster next time.
Watch a few Bestie videos, they are so informative and educational I’m sure your brain will
spark up.
Stay updated with current events by reading magazines and newspapers.
Stretch your brain and try solving that Sudoku.
A game of cards like bridge can help you think strategically.
People who are engaged in formal education, even during later stages of life, have better
control of their cognitive functions.
So take that online class or join a community center just to keep those wheels moving.
How long has it been since you played any of these games?
Which is your favorite?
Sound off in the comments below and start a conversation with our ever-growing Bestie
community.
2.
Poor diet You literally lose everything when your memory
goes.
Dementia can interfere with your decision-making, thinking, and social abilities too.
Your cognitive function can take everything for a ride and put you in a state of confusion,
moodiness, personality change, and even agitation.
A well-balanced diet, especially rich in vitamin B12 can help you stay clear mentally.
Diets like Mediterranean and DASH diets also have keyed back to a healthy brain.
It does not matter if you are a vegetarian, vegan or nonvegetarian try to cramp in VItamin
B12 as much as possible in your diet.
There is something for everyone.
You can enjoy beef, chicken, fish, fortified cereal, yogurt, cheese, low-fat milk, and
eggs to load up on Vitamin B12.
You can even try supplements if you are not sure of your requirements being met.
But eating meat can be a double-edged sword.
You only need a little bit - too much can be toxic.
Too much bacon is also not great.
Moderation is the word to remember as bacon grease is loaded with bad fats similar to
those found in cookies, pastries, and chips.
These are inflammatory foods loaded with saturated fat which are not only bad for your heart
and arteries, it's also bad for your brain.
There might be a hundred different types of dementia but Alzheimer's is the scariest one.
A study showed that a Mediterranean diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains,
fish, and healthy fats kept markers of Alzheimer's disease at bay.
Your brain also will get antioxidants and vitamins like A, D, E, and K to cut down the
risk of dementia.
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3.
Not getting enough sleep When was the last time you clocked a good
8-9 hours of sleep and woke up feeling refreshed?
Deep sleep can be the ultimate power cleanse for your brain.
Just a single night of poor sleep can put you at a higher risk of dementia.
The dementia-related proteins spike up immediately and enter your bloodstream from the brain.
They can also be found in a specialized fluid called the cerebrospinal fluid in your vertebral
column.
Just as your body has its own cleansing system and throws out toxins via kidneys, lungs,
skin, etc. the brain also has its cleansing unit.
It can kick off only when you are in deep sleep and clean the dementia-related proteins.
Once you cross the age of 80 the number of hours that you sleep declines so try getting
a deep sleep routine right from your midlife.
Put your body into the habit of stress-free sleep so that it continues later in life.
4.
Leading a sedentary life Are you one of those people who won't run
until they're being chased?
Chances are you might develop a higher risk of dementia.
It may start with simple things like forgetting where you put your keys and advance to a degree
where you no longer recognize your loved ones.
The volume of the brain shrinks with dementia and grey cells start reducing.
Exercising is practically great for every organ of your body.
It's a booster for your heart health, can control blood pressure, can make you look
ripped, improve the quality of your bones’ load-bearing capacity, and all the more put
you in a great mood.
You can do aerobics or simple activities like jumping, dancing, jogging, and swimming.
Resistance training can also be a fun-filled activity with all those weights.
Studies have shown that working out or even walking a few times a week can reduce your
chances of dementia.
So join that spinning class you have always wanted.
Your brain will thank you a few years down the line.
Before we move ahead, here’s how you can get rid of love handles quickly, with these
7 exercises.
5.
You had a brain injury in your past km Any head injury in the past should be thoroughly
checked.
If you are prone to injuries, get your house re-furnished.
Get rid of sharp corners by pasting corner guards and use rubber mats in bathrooms.
Always wear a seatbelt while you travel or a helmet where appropriate.
Simple tips like taking one step at a time while climbing stairs and taking a stick to
walk if you feel less confident can prevent injuries.
The more brain injuries, the more risk of cognitive decline and dementia.
Doesn’t matter if it was head injury from when you were younger the chances of developing
dementia cannot be denied, even after 30- 40 years.
6.
You are drinking too much of alcohol Are you heading out for a cocktail party tonight?
Just hear us out before you go all out on the booze.
Heavy drinking can be dangerous for your brain.
It literally can shrink the size of your brain cells and cause early loss of memory, even
if you’re not addicted.
This is probably the most under-recognized factor causing dementia.
Not drinking one day but then having 5-7 drinks on a weekend isn’t good either.
The limit is one or two drinks per day.
Whether or not occasional drinking can bring any goodness to your body is a topic of debate,
but excessive drinking is a health hazard.
It can also give you too many syndromes and diseases, not to mention the toxic effects
on the liver.
7.
You are socially isolated Humans are social animals and being around
your people can put you in a better mood.
Some socially engaging activities can also support brain health.
Keep a lookout for activities that might interest you in your area.
Simple things like volunteering at a shelter or joining a choir can actually give you a
breath of fresh air.
Take up that hobby you’ve been planning for years.
The quarantine during this pandemic has literally drained everybody mentally.
It made us go back in a small shell with limited exposure to the outside world.
Loneliness also can tick-off dementia.
Studies showed that social isolation was a major risk factor for dementia.
Aim at meeting all your loved ones, family, and friends virtually or in reality.
Try to have at least one meal with someone, each day.
8.
You’re Not Visiting a Doctor or taking care of yourself.
There’s a lot to know when it comes to dementia, and we don’t have it totally figured out
yet.
But one proactive way you can stay ahead of it is if you’re going to the doctor when
you need to and staying up with all your medication and health needs.
If you’re suffering from high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, or heart disorders your
brian health might be at risk.
A healthy brain loves a healthy body, but if your body is sick your brain will show
some signs of illness too.
Healthy food can double as medicine even with Alzheimer's.
Let's keep the conversation going with a couple of more Alzheimer- related videos, shall we?
Watch 7 foods that help prevent Alzheimer’s disease or click on Prevent Alzheimer’s
and dementia by eating these 21 foods that may improve memory.
Go ahead, click one.
Or better yet, watch both, and learn more about having healthy foods and staying sharp.
Do you know any other causes of dementia?
Let us know in the comments below!