How to avoid dementia: 5 ways to keep the brain young

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Every person's brain changes with age , and mental functions change with it. These include memory, attention, thinking, perception and language. Decreased mental development is one of the most serious consequences of aging. However, cognitive impairment that leads to dementia is not inevitable.

You need to start supporting your brain and taking care of its health as early as possible to reduce the risk of dementia. It has long been known that various mental activities, physical exercises, a balanced diet, and giving up bad habits such as smoking and alcohol help to stimulate the proper functioning of the body. There are other less obvious ways to keep your brain young.

Caring for your emotions

People who are anxious, depressed, sleep-deprived, or exhausted tend to perform poorly on cognitive tests. Therefore, good mental health and sleep are very important for the brain. Moreover, depression is a recognized risk factor for dementia, the study notes.

Protecting the head from injuries

Moderate and severe head injuries, even without a diagnosed concussion, increase the risk of cognitive impairment. The paper, published in the journal Arch Neurol, says that traumatic brain injury suffered in early or middle life is associated with an increased risk of developing dementia later in life. Analysis shows that moderate and severe TBI increase the risk of dementia by two to four times.

Building strong social ties

Strong social ties reduce risk of dementia. Moreover, it is associated with lower blood pressure and increased life expectancy. One of the scientific reviews emphasizes that a high degree of social involvement, a strong marriage, living with someone and the absence of loneliness can have a protective effect against the development of dementia.

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According to a study conducted by Johns Hopkins University, high blood pressure in middle age increases the risk of cognitive decline in old age. Therefore, it is necessary to try to protect the body from hypertension and keep the blood pressure normal.

Sufficient cholesterol level

A high level of “bad” cholesterol is also associated with the risk of early onset Alzheimer's disease. Cholesterol levels in the body are affected by many factors, including diet, exercise, and sleep.

Alzheimer's Society notes that the average age of 40 to 60 years is a good time to start using measures to reduce the risk of developing dementia, although it is useful to do this at any age. “Changes in the brain that cause dementia can begin years or even decades before symptoms appear. If you now lead a healthy lifestyle, you reduce the chances that these changes in the brain will occur,” the organization says.