Khaberni - Dr. Harry Pritchard, a researcher at the Alzheimer's Association at the University of Manchester, has dedicated his professional life to studying the relationship between cardiovascular health and dementia, a disease that causes memory loss.
According to "Daily Mail", Pritchard believes there are 5 lifestyle changes that everyone can adopt to protect themselves from dementia, a broad term for a group of deadly brain diseases.
Projections indicate that 1 out of every 3 people born today will suffer from dementia during their life, and what’s concerning is that estimates suggest that one-third of those currently affected by dementia have not yet been diagnosed.
However, Dr. Pritchard emphasizes that there are simple steps we can take to protect ourselves, starting with vascular health.
Keep blood pressure under control
Research has shown that people who suffer from high blood pressure in mid-life - from 40 to 64 years old - are more likely to develop dementia in later stages of life.
Maintain a healthy weight
Studies suggest that obesity between ages 35 and65 may increase the risk of developing dementia later in life by about 30%.
Obesity can also lead to chronic inflammation in the body, which can negatively affect the brain.
Control sugar levels
Dr. Pritchard explains that diabetes damages the blood vessels inside the brain, causing them to leak and reducing the amount of blood reaching the brain.
Quit smoking
Dr. Pritchard says: "Smoking damages the blood vessels in the body, including" those in the brain. This means that brain cells do not receive enough blood to function properly."
Smoking also damages the heart and lungs, both of which are responsible for supplying the brain with adequate oxygen.
But the good news is that quitting smoking is believed to reduce the risk of diseases to the level of non-smokers.
Keep physically active
Research has shown that people who exercise regularly may be up to 20% less likely to develop dementia compared to those who do not.
