6 EASY TIPS YOU CAN DO EVERY DAY TO PREVENT DEMENTIA!

6 easy tips you can do every day to prevent dementia! Don’t ignore “presbyopia”. This bad habit increases the risk of dementia.

September marks International Dementia Month each year, and Alzheimer's disease stands as the most prevalent form of dementia. Although last year saw significant advancements in two drugs that could potentially delay the progression of this ailment, they remain far from gaining marketing approval, with their side effects still largely unknown. Fortunately, adopting a more active lifestyle as you age and maintaining a nutritious diet can serve as preventive measures against dementia. The British Telegraph has curated six lesser-known, easy-to-follow daily protective methods, including the simple act of placing a few drops of lavender essential oil on your pillow and addressing severe presbyopia issues. Together, these practices can help safeguard against cognitive decline.

Embrace Aromatherapy Before Bed: A study conducted by the University of California demonstrated that nightly exposure to lavender essential oil for two hours can triple your memory capacity after six months. Even the simple act of inhaling scents can stimulate cognitive functions, memory, emotions, and enhance social interactions.

Incorporate Strawberries into Your Diet: Research from Rush University in Chicago highlights the anti-inflammatory properties of "geranium pigments" found abundantly in strawberries. These pigments can help reduce the formation of neurofibrillary tangles, a characteristic abnormal accumulation of tau protein in the brain associated with Alzheimer's disease. Among berries, strawberries possess the highest content of geranium pigments, and red radishes are also a good source.

Limit Binge-Watching: A study tracking nearly 500,000 individuals in 2018, conducted by the British Biological Database, found that excessive TV-watching may lead to cognitive decline over five years. In contrast, subjects observed watching TV for more than four hours a day faced a 24% increased risk of dementia, whereas engaging in interactive activities on a computer daily reduced the risk by 15%. Watching television is a passive activity where information is received but may not be retained, whereas operating a computer requires higher-level cognitive processing.

Ventilate When Cooking with Gas: A research report published in the "Indoor Air Journal" suggests that when using a gas stove for cooking, ultrafine particles in cooking fumes can infiltrate the body and induce changes in brain activity akin to those seen in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease. To mitigate this risk, ensure proper ventilation in your cooking area or consider wearing a protective mask while cooking.

Monitor Your Vision: A study featured in the Journal of the American Medical Association of Ophthalmology revealed that individuals with moderate to severe farsightedness have a 72% higher risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. Vision problems can increase cognitive strain and are associated with structural changes in brain function akin to those observed in Alzheimer's disease.

Prioritize Vaccination: A collaborative study by the University of Texas Health Medical Center and Massachusetts General Hospital in the United States revealed that administering shingles and pneumococcal vaccines to individuals aged over 65 can decrease the risk of Alzheimer's disease by 25% and 27%, respectively. Additionally, research from Massachusetts General Hospital found that the flu vaccine can reduce the risk by 40%. These vaccines act by preventing infections that trigger systemic inflammation, thereby indirectly slowing the onset and progression of dementia. Furthermore, vaccines can potentially rejuvenate or bolster the weakened immunity associated with aging, aiding in the removal of disease-causing proteins from the brain.

Source: 

Six unexpected ways to protect yourself against dementia (telegraph.co.uk)