2023-07-24 19:00:00
Title: Starting Healthy Habits Early in Life Can Help Prevent Dementia, Say Experts
Date: 07/24/2023
By: Judith Brown
As individuals age, the risk of developing dementia increases significantly. Recent statistics from the Federal Ministry of Health have revealed that less than three percent of individuals between the ages of 65 and 70 suffer from Alzheimer’s. However, the numbers rise substantially to one in five individuals aged 85 and over, and one in three individuals over the age of 90 are affected. While dementia, including frontotemporal dementia, typically occurs in later years, it is still possible to counteract mental decline. Experts emphasize the importance of adopting healthy habits from a young age to mitigate the risk of dementia in old age.
“Mental fitness is like financial planning: it’s better to start early and invest moderately than late,” suggests Johannes Trabert, a renowned geriatrician, neurologist, and senior physician at the Agaplesion Markus Hospital in Frankfurt am Main. Trabert explains that the process of aging, along with the natural decline in physical and mental abilities, commences as early as age 30. To maintain cognitive function and memory in the long run, Trabert recommends four key habits:
1. Regular physical activity: Engaging in at least three 30-minute sports sessions per week helps protect against memory loss. Dancing, in particular, is beneficial because it involves non-routine movements. By learning new dance steps, sequences, and choreographies, the brain is continually challenged, positively impacting memory performance.
2. Regular mental training: Mental exercise is just as crucial as physical exercise in preventing dementia. Trabert advises varying mental exercises by avoiding the use of GPS, memorizing phone numbers, or solving brain teasers. Simple changes, such as brushing teeth with the non-dominant hand or alternating between crossword puzzles and Sudoku, can help train memory effectively.
3. Healthy eating: A Mediterranean diet is highly recommended for countering mental deterioration and preventing dementia. This eating plan emphasizes consuming ample vegetables, fruit, healthy fats, and protein, particularly from fish.
4. Social interactions: Prioritizing social contact, interactions, and mental stimulation through social gatherings helps maintain mental fitness and cognitive abilities.
By integrating these habits into everyday life as early as possible, individuals gain a significant advantage. Cultivating good health practices makes it easier to sustain a healthy diet, engage in regular exercise, and lead an overall healthy lifestyle well into old age. These practices not only keep individuals fit and slow down the aging process but also contribute to the prevention of dementia.
It is important to note that the aforementioned information serves as general advice and should not substitute professional medical consultation for self-diagnosis, treatment, or medication. Individuals seeking specific clinical guidance should consult a healthcare professional.
By taking proactive steps towards a healthier lifestyle from a young age, individuals can reduce their risk of developing dementia later in life. Embracing healthy habits promotes overall well-being, both physically and mentally, and provides long-term benefits in aging gracefully and maintaining cognitive function.]
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