Health
Health habits to prevent memory loss
Cognitive decline is a condition that is often associated
with aging, but even middle-aged people can
experience memory loss or cognition issues.
The Alzheimer’s Association says that more than
fi ve million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s
disease and other dementias. By 2050, that number
could rise to as high as 16 million people. More than
747,000 Canadians are living with Alzheimer’s or another
dementia, says the Canadian Alzheimer’s Association.
Although there is no defi nitive way to prevent dementia,
living a long, vibrant life may be possible by
encouraging some healthy habits for the brain. It is
never too late or too early to begin health and lifestyle
changes.
Exercise
Becoming more active can improve brain volume,
reduce risk for dementia and improve thinking and
memory skills. The journal Neurology found that
older people who vigorously exercise performed better
on cognitive tests than others of the same age,
placing them at the equivalent of 10 years younger.
Increased blood fl ow that occurs with physical activity
may help generate new neurons in the hippocampus,
an area of the brain involved with learning and
memory.
The Harvard Medical School says aerobic exercise
may help improve brain tissue by improving
blood fl ow and reducing the chances of injury to the
brain from cholesterol buildup in blood vessels.
10 early signs of Alzhemier’s
Caribbean L 44 ife, DECEMBER 6-12, 2019
Quit smoking
The Alzheimer’s Association indicates that evidence
shows smoking increases the risk of cognitive
decline. Smoking can impair blood fl ow to the brain
and cause small strokes that may damage blood vessels.
Eat healthy foods
Foods that are good for the heart and blood vessels
also are good for the brain. These include fresh
fruits and vegetables, whole grains, fi sh-based
proteins, unsaturated fats, and foods containing
omega-3 fatty acids. Neurologists state that, while
research on diet and cognitive function is limited,
diets, such as Mediterranean and Mediterranean-
DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension),
may contribute to a lower risk of cognitive issues.
Consume caffeine
Caffeine may help boost memory performance
and brain health. A Journal of Nutrition study found
people ages 70 and older who consumed more caffeine
scored better on tests of mental function than those
who consumed less caffeine. Caffeine may help improve
attention span, cognitive function and feelings
of well-being. Information from Psychology Today
also indicates caffeine may help in the storage of dopamine,
which can reduce feelings of depression and
anxiety. In addition, compounds in cocoa and coffee
beans may improve vascular health and help repair
cellular damage due to high antioxidant levels.
Work the brain
Engaging in mentally stimulating activities can
create new brain connections and more backup circuits,
states Dr. Joel Salinas, a neurologist at Harvard
affi liated Massachusetts General Hospital.
Working the brain through puzzles, reading and participating
in social situations can stimulate the release
of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a
molecule essential for repairing brain cells and creating
connections between them.
A good way to combine these lifestyle factors is to
take an exercise class with friends, mixing the social,
stimulation and exercise recommendations together.
Cognitive decline can come with aging, but
through healthy habits, people can reduce their risk
of memory loss and dementia.
Change plays a big role in the aging process.
As adults age, both their minds and bodies undergo
changes.
The changes associated with aging are not
uniform. Some people may experience small
changes as they inch toward and ultimately
pass retirement age, while others may undergo
changes that affect nearly every aspect of their
lives.
Cognitive decline is the type of age-related
change that can have a dramatic impact on a
person’s life, affecting his or her ability to live
independently. A general term used to describe
symptoms associated with a decline in memory
or thinking skills such as judgment and reasoning,
dementia is often mistaken as a normal
part of aging. However, the Alzheimer’s Foundation
of America notes that dementia-related illnesses,
including Alzheimer’s disease, are not a
normal part of aging.
Because many people associate memory loss
with aging, they may be compelled to accept some
of the early signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s
as mere byproducts of growing older. However,
the Alzheimer’s Association urges men and
women to report any of these 10 early signs and
symptoms of Alzheimer’s to their physicians the
moment they’re noticed. Family members who
notice these signs in their relatives also should
report them to their loved ones’ physicians.
1. Memory loss that disrupts daily life: Examples
of this symptom include forgetting recently
learned information; forgetting important dates
and events; and asking for the same information
over and over.
2. Challenges in planning or solving problems:
Someone exhibiting this symptom may
have trouble following a recipe or paying
monthly bills.
3. Diffi culty completing familiar tasks at
home at work or at leisure: Forgetting the rules
of a favorite game or experiencing trouble driving
to a familiar location are some examples of
this symptom.
4. Confusion with time or place: People with
Alzheimer’s lose track of dates, seasons and the
passage of time.
5. Trouble understanding visual images
and spatial relationships: Some people with Alzheimer’s
have diffi culty reading, judging distance
and determining color or contrast.
6. New problems with words in speaking or
writing: Diffi culty joining or continuing a conversation
and calling things by the wrong name
are some examples of this symptom.
7. Misplacing things and losing the ability
to retrace steps: People with Alzheimer’s sometimes
put things in unusual places and then cannot
retrace their steps to fi nd those things.
8. Decreased or poor judgment: Poor judgment
and decision-making often affects people
with Alzheimer’s.
9. Withdrawal from work or social activities: People
with this symptom may begin to withdraw from
favorite activities or avoid being social because of the
changes they’re experiencing.
10. Changes in mood and personality: Mood
changes affect people with Alzheimer’s, who
may become confused, suspicious, depressed,
fearful, or anxious.