Here’s what to do to ward off cognitive decline
1 Look after your heart
What’s good for your heart is good for your brain, says Kensa Morgan, Admiral nurse at Dementia UK. ‘Raised cholesterol and high blood pressure damages our cardiovascular system, which in turn affects our brains.’
Keeping cholesterol between 50 and 60mg/dL can reduce the risk. People with levels higher than 80mg/dL have a 27% increased chance of developing dementia within six years, a study by Monash University in Australia revealed.
Not sure of your cholesterol readings? Speak to your pharmacist about a finger-prick test.
2 Start moving
As a result of it boosting blood supply and reducing the chance of heart disease, regular exercise can lower the risk of developing dementia by about 28% and the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease specifically by 45%, according to the Alzheimer’s Society.
Physical activity can mean brisk walking, vacuuming, gardening, and even cooking and washing up. Just make sure you move every day.
3 Find a hobby
‘There’s a positive link between a mentally stimulating life and a reduced risk in developing dementia,’ says Kensa. ‘Pastimes such as reading, crafting and learning something new can all help build up cognitive reserve.’
This is the brain’s ability to adapt to age-related stress or disease-related changes – essentially how resilient your brain is to cognitive decline.
4Banish booze
Regularly drinking alcohol exposes the brain to harmful chemicals. People who drink a lot are more likely to show damage to an area of the brain that plays a major role in learning and memory.
It’s recommended to consume no more than 14 units of alcohol a week (six
