We will first give you the bad news.
The research shows that 48% of women and 36% of men will experience a stroke or develop dementia or depression at some point in their lives.
The good news is that a new study says you can significantly control the risk of developing one or more of these conditions by making a few simple changes.
At least 60% of stroke, 40% of dementia and 35% of the depression of late life can be attributed to modifiable factors, and although these conditions seem without relation, there is an amazing amount of overlapping.
“Dementia, stroke and depression of late life are connected and intertwined, so if you develop one of them, there is a substantial possibility that you can develop another in the future,” said the main author Jasper Senff, a postdoctoral colleague at Massachusetts General Hospital, in a statement.
“And because they share these overlapping risk factors, preventive efforts could lead to a reduction in the incidence of more than one of these diseases, which provides an opportunity to simultaneously reduce the load of age -related brain diseases.”
These are the six factors:
Alcohol intake
Booze has become the controversial subject in the healthcare field.
On the one hand, the general surgeon has warned that any amount of alcohol increases the risk of various cancers.
On the other hand, experts like Dan Buettner say that drinking one to three glasses of wine is one of the secrets of longevity in the blue areas of the world.
When it comes to brain health, this new study indicates that low -low -to -moderate alcohol intake is beneficial, possibly because alcohol has a role in one of the risk factors (social connection), so it can exceed physical health risks.
Cerebral games
Games, puzzles and junctions have been shown to reduce the risk of dementia, just as reading or learning a second language.
The idea is that anything that gives you a little training will keep you attenuating in your twilight years.
Diet
The carnivorous diet can be the most modern when it comes to weight loss right now.
But when it comes to brain health, the Mediterranean diet, which is very based on vegetables, fruit, dairy, fish and nuts, seems to be the clear winner.
Exercise
According to the previous findings, known as what everyone already knows, it was found that moderate physical activity was another modifiable risk.
Other studies have shown that only 150 minutes of moderate physical activity a week can reduce the risk of mortality by all cause by 31% compared to any physical activity.
This could be as simple as taking a quick walk or yoga class. For Bonus brain health points, bring a friend!
Socialize
Rumors are true: people need people.
In our increasingly virtual world, it is important to maintain your “social form” and prioritize real relationships and face -to -face interactions.
Studies show that people with more social connections have better memory, stronger thinking and a lower risk of dementia.
Regular interaction keeps the mind committed, reduces stress and even increases good chemicals such as oxytocin and dopamine.
Sense of purpose
In Okinawa, Japan, the locals say it )Ikigai “: It translates approximately as a” reason to be “. In Nicoya, Costa Rica, it is known as the” Plan of Life “or” Plan of Life “.
In both regions, people with a strong sense of purpose not only live longer, but also mentally sharpened to old age.
Scientists think it works by reducing stress, fostering social connections and giving people a reason to get out of bed every morning, literally adding years to their lives.
Some of the other modifiable risk factors mentioned in the study include high blood pressure and blood sugar levels, excess weight, cholesterol, eating a lot of red or processed meat, smoking, loneliness, stress and sleep alterations.
You do not have to deal with them all at once, but researchers point out that making a few small changes, especially in the Middle Ages, can make a big difference.
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Image Source : nypost.com