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12 Ways to Help Prevent or Delay Dementia

Deborah Kan

Created on December 4, 2023

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Transcript

The guide to

12 Science-Backed Ways to Prevent Dementia

Fresh air

Cognitive Reserve

Social Isolation

Hearing loss

Alcohol

Smoking

Exercise

Depression

Lose Weight

Traumatic Brain Injury

DiabetesRisk

Blood Pressure

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Reduce Air Pollution

People who are exposed to air pollution are at a higher risk of dementia, especially those living closer to major roads and freeways.

Read more:

Spend more time in green spaces

Monitor indoor air quality and invest in air purifiers if needed

Join community organizations to monitor government air permits in your area

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Address and Treat Hearing Loss

People with hearing loss are at a higher risk of dementia. Hearing loss leads to social isolation, and that has a detrimental effect on maintaining your cognitive reserve.

Read more:

Avoid exposure to dangerous levels of noise

Use hearing protection when exposed to loud sounds

Consider hearing testing and a hearing aid if necessary

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Avoid Social Isolation

Research has shown that loneliness and social isolation may increase the risk of dementia, as it is associated with health problems from insomnia to depression and stroke.

Read more:

Spend at least 15 minutes each day talking with or writing to a loved one

Join a club or spiritual community

Connect with other people both online and offline

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Build Cognitive Reserve

Learning builds cognitive reserve and strengthens connections between brain cells, making the brain more resilient against age-related decline.

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Stay intellectually active, e.g. reading, crafting, playing games

Learn new skills like languages and instruments

Engage in learning at all stages of life

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Avoid Alcohol

Excessive alcohol consumption can damage brain cells and tissue, increasing dementia risk, especially early-onset dementia before age 65.

Read more:

Drink plenty of water if you consume alcohol

Set a limit for yourself

Opt for non-alcoholic beverages

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Quit Smoking

Smoking raises dementia risk by damaging blood vessels and causing inflammation in the brain that can lead to small strokes or bleeds.

Read more:

Find a way to quit smoking that works for you

Alter daily habits and activities linked to smoking

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Regular Exercise

Regular exercise can help prevent dementia by promoting the growth of new brain cells, regulating mood and improving memory.

Read more:

Combine aerobic exercises and strength training to support overall well-being

Aim for 30 minutes of moderate activity per day in a sport you find fun

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Treat Depression

Depression is linked to faster brain aging and increased dementia risk by causing changes in behavior like social isolation that negatively impact brain health.

Healthy foods may help fight depression

Read more:

Journaling can help you monitor your mental health and identify patterns

Talk to a mental health professional or join a support group

When to talk to your doctor about depression?

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Traumatic Brain Injury

Traumatic brain injury raises dementia risk, so those at high risk should prevent injury and seek proper medical care if injured.

Read more:

Do exercises to improve balance and leg muscle strength

Look for and eliminate tripping hazards

Avoid walking on slick surfaces barefoot or with socks

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Lose Weight

Obesity raises dementia risk by increasing chronic diseases like diabetes and cardiovascular disease that damage blood vessels and reduce blood flow in the brain.

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Feel full for longer by eating more fiber-rich foods such as vegetables, fruits, beans, and whole grains

Cut out added sugar from your diet, especially from sugary drinks

Get enough sleep, because sleep deprivation will trigger hormones that make you feel hungrier

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Minimize Diabetes Risk

Type 2 diabetes doubles dementia risk by damaging blood vessels and contributes to Alzheimer's biomarkers like beta-amyloid plaques and tau tangles.

Read more:

Maintain a healthy weight through diet and exercise

Consider adopting a vegetarian or vegan diet

Talk to your doctor about reducing your diabetes risk

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Treat Blood Pressure

Hypertension raises dementia risk by blocking blood flow and causing strokes and brain cell loss over time.

Read more:

Regularly monitor your blood pressure

Find healthy ways to reduce stress

Focus on getting enough quality sleep

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beingpatient.com

Explore more resources on

Learn more about dementia prevention on Being Patient:

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Want to keep learning?

Visit

beingpatient.com

for the latest news and information on brain health and Alzheimer's disease

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