Changes to the brain and body are normal as you age. There are things you can do to slow the loss of your memory and lower the risk of developing Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia. These are the five things that I recommend to my patients ranked by importance.
Work out regularly My first advice to my patients is to continue working out. Exercise has many known advantages, and it is evident that regular physical activity improves the brain. Numerous studies have demonstrated that those who exercise regularly are less likely experience a decline in mental function and have a lower risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. Look at this site to find out a full report on substance abuse treatment in Louisiana.
We believe these benefits result from an increase in blood flow to your brain when you exercises. It also tends to counter certain of the natural reduction in brain connections that occur during aging, in effect changing the course of some problems.
You should be exercising at least once a week for 30 to 60 minutes. You can exercise by walking, swimming or playing tennis or doing any other moderate aerobic activity to increase your heart rate.
Rest soundly. Your brain health is affected by the quality of your sleep. There are theories that suggest sleep can help clear out abnormal proteins in your brain, and also helps consolidate memories, which boosts your memory overall and brain health.
The goal should be to get 7-8 hours of uninterrupted sleep every night. This is not the same as getting three or two hours each night in small increments. Consecutive sleep allows your brain to build and store memories efficiently. Sleep apnea can be harmful to the health of your brain and could be the reason why you may struggle to get uninterrupted sleep. If you suspect you may suffer from sleep apnea then talk to your doctor.
Consume a Mediterranean diet plan The health of your brain is directly affected by your diet. I recommend my patients consider adhering to a Mediterranean diet that focuses on plant-based foods, whole grains as well as fish and healthy fats, such as olive oil. It includes less red meat and salt than the standard American diet.
Studies have shown that those who follow the Mediterranean diet are less likely suffer from Alzheimer's disease than people who don't adhere to the diet. More research is required to determine which components of the diet can have the greatest impact on your brain function. We are aware that omega-3 fatty acids which are found in extra virgin oil, as well as other good fats, are vital to ensure good cell function. It appears to reduce your chance of developing coronary artery disease and improve your mental focus.
Be mentally active. Your brain is like a muscle you need to utilize it or lose it. You can keep your brain healthy by doing Sudoku or crossword puzzles, reading, playing cards, or putting together an puzzle. It can be used to cross-train your brain. To boost your efficiency it is possible to combine various activities.
I do not recommend any of the paid brain-training software programs currently available. They often promise that they aren't able to keep or concentrate on memorization techniques which aren't relevant to daily life. Your brain can get just as good of a workout through reading or engaging yourself in puzzles. Avoid watching too much television because it's boring and isn't stimulating for your brain.
Remain socially involved. Social interactions can help fight depression and stress, both of which can cause memory loss. If you're living on your own try to find ways to stay connected with your relatives, friends and your loved ones. Research suggests that isolation and brain atrophy. Therefore, staying socially active may be detrimental and strengthen the health care of your brain.
|
|