Unless you have memory issues or other brain injuries, it’s probably not too high on your list of health concerns.
June is Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month, an opportunity to learn more about the importance of brain health and how to prevent dementia naturally.
An estimated 5.8 million Americans have Alzheimer’s, a type of dementia that causes issues with memory, thinking, and behavior. Symptoms usually start out slowly, but progressively get worse.
Luckily, there are ways to protect your brain.
Studies have shown that certain food choices, regular activity, and memory exercises can help protect people from developing Alzheimer's.
This post will focus on overall brain health, including what foods to eat and memory-stimulating activities to keep the brain sharp for years to come.
According to the Alzheimer's Research and Prevention Foundation, you can keep your brain healthy by committing to doing certain activities like physical exercise, brain aerobics, and more. Mental exercises in particular can reduce your chance of developing Alzheimer's by up to 70%.
Prevention measures you can take include:
While these are all great activities and prevention measures to take for overall good health, chat with your doctor about any serious memory concerns. You may need further neurological testing to clear up if it’s Alzheimer’s or another underlying illness.
There are risk factors that you can’t control, but the following things you can:
Regular exercise strengthens the body in so many ways, including mentally and physically. Aside from decreasing health issues like obesity and diabetes, working out protects the brain and thinking skills, according to a University of British Columbia study. Rigorous exercise appears to enlarge the hippocampus, the part of your brain responsible for learning and verbal memory.
Get moving to:
Aim for 150 minutes moderate exercise a week for the best results. Not only will it enhance learning, but it will boost your mood and thinking abilities.
A healthy diet is important for everybody, but especially those who might be prone to Alzheimer's or dementia. Research shows that vitamin B12, folic acid, vitamin D, and fish oil may help preserve brain health.
A healthy diet means:
Before making any major diet changes or adding supplements, be sure to talk with your doctor about possible medicine interactions.
Having regular check-ups is important for overall well being. But it's especially important to also schedule cognitive screenings as you age. Once you hit your golden years, be sure to ask your doctor for regular cognitive assessments.
Other health concerns to keep in mind:
While 82% of seniors report they feel it’s important to get cognitive check-ups, only around 16% of seniors have their cognitive abilities checked annually, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. Early screening and detection can help slow progression and help you plan ahead, especially financially. Dementia tends to be one of the costliest diseases; the estimated lifetime cost for caring with an individual with dementia is $350,174.
People with active social lives have slower memory loss. Keeping friendships alive and well can help you feel more connected and less isolated.
Ways to stay social may include:
Your social calendar doesn't have to be full every day, but meeting with friends on a regular basis will help you feel engaged with your favorite people.
There is a strong connection between head injuries and memory loss. Those who have a history of moderate Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) were found to be at 2.3 times greater risk of developing Alzheimer's than seniors with no head injury history, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. Most notably, TBI can happen in various ways — from car accidents to football injuries.
Here’s how to protect yourself:
If you’re prone to losing your balance, it may be time to take fall precautions in your home. Adjust furniture, rugs, and poor lighting in your home to reduce tripping hazards.
One of the best ways to prevent dementia naturally is to continue learning. We all have a “brain reserve” which helps the brain respond to changes and resist damage. Brain reserve starts in childhood and get stronger as you age. Those who continue to learn and develop new skills build upon their brain reserve.
Ways to exercise your brain:
Think about activities that challenge you to organize, communicate, and interact with others. Despite what you may think, you're never too old to learn something new.
You can wait on the medical miracle cure for Alzheimer’s, or you can take preventative steps now. A few simple changes can greatly reduce your risk.
And, you can easily get started today with strengthening your brain power and health.
If you want to show support for the Alzheimer’s community, wear purple throughout the month of June — it’s the official color for Alzheimer’s awareness. Or host a lunch and learn event and invite a local neurologist to discuss brain health.
Mental fitness and clarity is a must to be able to function independently in life. Spread the word to employees and your community: You only get one brain — keep it as healthy as possible now to naturally prevent Alzheimer's in the future.
What will you do to spread the word during Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month? Share below!
Image Credit: Created by Dooder