Keep challenging your brain with reading, puzzles, travel, and more.
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Our brains change as we age, and there’s nothing we can do about it.
Certain parts of the brain shrink, including those important for learning and other complex mental activities. Neurotransmission (connections between brain cells) may become less effective. Blood flow may decrease. Inflammation that occurs when the body fights infection can also have an effect. In fact, scientists are discovering that inflammation may be involved in many diseases.
However, some of our lifestyle choices influence the rate at which our brains age and the decline in cognitive function, including memory.
Here are some ways to accelerate brain aging and its effects on memory loss, mild cognitive impairment, dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease, to name a few.
However, before we begin, I would like to point out two points.
First, many factors contribute to brain aging, including genetics, hormones, and neurotransmitters. People who have a parent or sibling with Alzheimer’s disease have a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease than people who do not have a parent or sibling with Alzheimer’s disease. However, not everyone with a family history of Alzheimer’s disease will develop Alzheimer’s disease, and not everyone who develops Alzheimer’s disease has a family history. Early life can also affect outcomes, such as low birth weight.
Second, aging may also bring about positive changes in cognitive function. For example, research studies show that older adults have larger vocabularies and greater knowledge of the depth of word meaning than younger adults. We also have a wealth of knowledge and experience accumulated over the years that we can draw on when you need it.
That being said, some of the choices we make can ultimately reduce cognitive function, leading to memory loss and accelerated brain aging.
To remain sedentary.
As we age, we experience more pain and fatigue, and it can be tempting to ease back into the recliner to relieve the strain. Being sedentary can accelerate memory loss and brain aging.
Research shows that physical activity boosts protein and glucose metabolism and may even be associated with increased brain structure, but if you don’t want to look like a “super old” Please refrain from exercising for ~45 minutes. ” 80s and 90s.
Just keep drinking like you did 30 years ago.
When we are young, our bodies can process alcohol faster and get it out of our system faster. This changes as you age, as you lose muscle and your body takes longer to break down alcohol.
So if you’re having a few cocktails at 5 o’clock like you used to, keep doing it if you want to shrink your brain. Not only will your hangover last longer, your body will have a harder time fighting off infections like pneumonia, and your brain may start to show signs of aging, such as memory loss.
Don’t challenge your brain.
When many seniors retire, they spend their time on vacation not only physically but also mentally.
If you want your brain to shrink faster, don’t bother doing anything that challenges your brain’s capacity for memory, logic, and thinking. This includes opting out of traveling, volunteering, working part-time, learning another language, buying a new musical instrument, and playing games like Scrabble, Clue, crosswords, Sudoku, and chess.
Ignore the hearing loss.
You may not be able to hear the TV or follow conversations as well as you used to, but that’s okay. Hearing loss is part of aging, and parts of the brain associated with language and speech can atrophy, leading to increased social isolation, but you can learn to live with it.
Medicare covers hearing tests, but not hearing aids, which are just too expensive. You don’t have to shop around, check your Medicare Advantage plan coverage, research direct-to-consumer models, or research payment plans or charities that might help.
Don’t worry about what you eat.
There is no definitive link between specific foods and cognitive health. So while obesity, diabetes, and heart disease are associated with decreased cognitive function, and a healthy diet may provide the extra nutrients and antioxidants your brain needs to stay strong, it’s important to note that Eat as much as you like.
So if you want to take that risk, don’t worry about eating leafy greens, nuts, beans, and fish, and eat lots of red meat and sweets.
That I use a little reverse psychology to get you thinking about how your lifestyle choices can affect the quality of your aging brain, which directly impacts your quality of life. I think you have understood this by now. This is a column I wrote please don’t I hope you listen to my advice!
• Teri (Dreher) Frykenberg is a board-certified patient advocate. She has been a critical care nurse for over 30 years and is a member of NShore Patient Advocates (www.NorthShoreRN.com). Her book, “How to Become a Health Care Advocate for Yourself and Your Loved Ones,” is available for purchase on Amazon. She offers a free phone consultation to Daily Herald readers. Email [email protected].
