How to Prevent Dementia? (Part One)

How to Prevent Dementia? (Part One)

Memory loss is one striking feature of dementia. So, if you feel your memory gets worse and worse, then be cautious! That might be warning signs of getting this disease. Here several measures that can prevent dementia are sorted out.

  1. Physical exercise can help seniors prevent dementia

A large number of studies have shown that physical exercise seems to be beneficial in the prevention of cognitive impairment and dementia among seniors. Recently researchers at Goethe University Frankfurt have explored how exercise affects brain metabolism, being the forerunners in this area.

In order to broaden currently existing knowledge about the positive influence of physical activity on the brain, gerontologists and sports physicians at Goethe University Frankfurt have examined the effects of regular exercise on brain metabolism and memory of seniors aged between 60 and 85 in a randomized controlled trial. And they reached a conclusion that regular physical exercise does exert a positive impact on brain metabolism while at the same time contributes to fitness.

According to the report in the latest issue of the medical journal “Translational Psychiatry”, all the participants are thoroughly examined in the SMART study by assessing movement-related parameters, cardiopulmonary fitness and cognitive performance. In addition, magnetic resonance tomography (MRT) and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) were used to measure brain metabolism and structure. The researchers also investigated to what extent exercise can lead to an improvement in the participants’ physical fitness.

  1. Nine things that can affect whether you get dementia

Dementia seems an inevitable result accompanying old age. However, one third of dementia cases could be prevented, according to new findings published in the Lancet. In the report a number of studies were analyzed and a new model was developed to show how lifestyle changes, at different ages, can reduce a person’s risk of developing dementia.

Different risk factors are perceived for different life stages. Overally there are nine lifestyle factors that could help prevent or delay dementia. They are: more childhood education, exercise, being socially active, stopping smoking, managing hearing loss, depression, diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity.

So here are the suggestions for seniors: start education early; carefully check your blood pressure and stop smoking; ask your family if they think your hearing is a problem and, if so, seek medical help; be physically, mentally and socially active and watch your weight and blood sugar.

  1. Sugary beverage intake and preclinical Alzheimer’s disease

A sugary diet has long been viewed unhealthy for its negative effects on bodies like metabolic disorders, liver damage and high blood pressure. In contrast, sugar-free beverage seems to be a better choice. But the truth is these sugar-free beverages also have been linked to cardiometabolic risk factors, which increase the risk of cerebrovascular disease and dementia.

About 4000 plus people aged over 30 participated the community-based Framingham Heart Study Offspring cohort. Based on the data collected, researchers explored how artificially sweetened beverage consumption was associated with the prospective risks of incident stroke or dementia. They observed 97 cases of incident stroke (82 ischemic) and 81 cases of incident dementia (63 consistent with Alzheimer’s disease).

  1. Vitamin B12 in Marmite can help prevent dementia

New study shows that Marmite may boost brain power and could even help fight off the daunting disease-dementia. Researchers from York University said that the high concentration of vitamin B12 in the savory spread increases levels of GABA chemicals in the brain, which are thought to protect against neurological disorders, including Alzheimer’s, epilepsy, and depression.

Vitamin B12 is specifically known for its role in producing healthy amounts of red blood cells required to deliver oxygen to the body’s cells and tissues. B12 has been proven to help reduce tiredness and fatigue as well as aiding concentration and memory.

  1. Supplement use of vitamin E does no good to prevention of Alzheimer’s disease

According to a new research published in JAMA Neurology, supplements of vitamin E or selenium alone or in combination cannot prevent dementia in asymptomatic older men.

This Prevention of Alzheimer’s Disease by Vitamin E and Selenium trial initially enrolled 7540 elderly men who were exposed to the supplements for an average of 5.4 years. A subset of 3786 men agreed to be observed for up to 6 additional years. Dementia incidence (4.4%) did not differ among the 4 study arms, based on remarks of Dr. Richard J. Kryscio. In other words, neither supplement prevented dementia.

(To be continued)