Dementia is a general term for symptoms of memory and thinking problems caused by changes in the brain. Alzheimer’s disease is a type of dementia that causes problems with memory, thinking and behavior.
The good news is that there are many things you can do to help keep your brain healthy. One of the most important things you can do is to keep learning and challenging your mind.
It’s a question that has long haunted scientists: how do you train your brain to prevent dementia?
The short answer is, you can’t. But you can be proactive about protecting your brain from damage in the first place
Here are four tips for protecting your brain:
1. Exercise regularly. Studies show that regular physical activity can help prevent cognitive decline by improving blood flow to the brain and reducing stress levels. Exercise also increases brain cells’ ability to repair themselves after being damaged by Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia.
2. Eat a healthy diet rich in antioxidants, such as blueberries, broccoli and other fruits and vegetables. Antioxidants such as vitamin C, E and beta carotene have been shown to reduce oxidative stress on the brain caused by free radicals — molecules generated when our bodies break down food or come into contact with environmental toxins like air pollution or cigarette smoke. These free radicals damage proteins in the body, including those found in brain cells that may contribute to dementia symptoms such as memory loss or confusion.
3. Stay mentally active throughout life by doing things like learning new skills — playing an instrument, learning a foreign language — or challenging yourself mentally through puzzles like Sudoku or crossword puzzles
4 Get plenty of sleep. Sleep is crucial for maintaining cognitive function. It helps clear out toxins and repair damaged tissues in the brain — both of which are important for preserving memory and thinking skills.
