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A whopping five out of five Americans aged 65 and older currently have mild cognitive impairment and one in seven has been diagnosed with dementia. If that sounds impressive, look at this: in 2050, the number of Americans with dementia is expected to triple, according to the authors of a recently released scientific statement published in the magazine. Brain stroke.
Dementia, which is defined by the Alzheimer’s Association as a decline in mental fitness enough to impact daily life, is a set of illnesses more expensive than heart disease or cancer, with worldwide costs estimated at $ 818 billion in 2015. (By the way, Alzheimer’s is the most common cause of dementia and is a specific disease. Dementia is a general term for the category of this cognitive impairment.)
To try to prevent decline, reduce the risk of stroke and more, the study’s authors suggest that all Americans work with their primary care physicians to maintain control over 13 factors that have proven links to brain health. This includes the American Heart Association’s Life’s Simple 7, plus six other factors:
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Managing blood pressure
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Maintain healthy cholesterol levels
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Reducing blood sugar
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Increased physical activity
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Eat a nutritious and balanced diet
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Lose weight if necessary
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Do not smoke
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Prevention or treatment of symptoms of depression, if any
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Reducing social isolation, if present
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Limiting alcohol use
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Combat sleep disorders, if present
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Increase education and keep the brain active
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Hearing loss treatment, if present
Related: The # 1 food to stimulate brain health, according to a nutritionist
You should not wait until you are 65 to discuss these action items or to introduce healthier habits, suggests one of the statement’s authors Ronald M. Lazar, Ph.D., FAHA, Evelyn F. McKnight’s chair for Learning and Aging Memory and director of the Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine.
“Prevention does not start in old age; it exists throughout the health continuum, from pediatrics to adulthood. The evidence in this statement demonstrates that early attention to these factors improves outcomes in the future,” says Lazar, who also is a professor of neurology and neurobiology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. “Scientists are learning more about how to prevent cognitive decline before changes in the brain begin. We compiled the latest research and found Life’s Simple 7 and other factors like sleep, mental health and education to be a more comprehensive lifestyle strategy. that optimizes brain health in addition to cardiovascular health. “
A sharp and healthy brain is responsible for a wide variety of tasks, all of which are crucial to thriving and maneuvering independently around the world:
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Memory
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Thought
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Reasoning
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Communication
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Problems solution
“Many people think that high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and other risk factors affect only heart health, but those same risk factors affect the health of our brain. Patients can pay more attention to the importance of addressing risk factors modifiable if they understood the links “, says Lazar. “I have already given lectures and what people tell me is that the only thing they do not want to lose in the course of life is the mind.”
Related: Why exercise is good for your mental health
So, on your next exam, present this list to your doctor and ask him or her if you can test or talk about all of these important elements of brain impact. But you don’t have to wait until then to start making mental (and physical!) Well-being a priority.
Based on the 13-item checklist, consider this challenging task – everything you can get started today: