MAYBE SURPRISING: Dementia doesn’t just pop up when we get older. “Midlife, not your 70s and 80s, is when brain changes start to occur that can pave the way toward dementia, Alzheimer’s disease and cognitive decline later.”(1) That’s why experts advise taking action in middle age (or probably as soon as possible if you missed that milestone!)
NOT SO SURPRISING: The dementia-prevention protocol:
** Regular Exercise
** Sleep
** Brain-Stimulating Activities
** Social Activity
** Not Smoking . . . and, drum roll . . .
** A More Nutritious Diet!!
Interesting Fact: Brain and heart health are closely related, since things that lead to artery blockages to the heart can also impede blood flow and oxygen to the brain. Happily, the action steps for brain health are the same as those for heart health. A 2-for-1 deal, you could say!
What Does a Nutritious Diet Look Like? See my last newsletter (and subscribe, too, thanks!)
(1) Start in Middle Age to Help Prevent Elderly Dementia, WSJ, April 11, 2024 p. A1
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