This popular activity helps to slow down cognitive decline, confirms a new study

Doing this could help you avoid dementia - and it's fun too!


Alzheimer's disease - the mostCommon dementia type—Affecte roughlyone in nine people 65 years and over in the United States, reports the Alzheimer's association. And many people experience light cognitive disorders (MCI) as they age, which can be "a point halfway between normal cognitive aging and dementia", "Brenna Renn, PHD and deputy professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Nevada in Las Vegas, saysBetter life.

Now, a study by Columbia University and Duke University published in the October 2022 edition of theNejm proof Journal confirms that a particular popular activity could keep our brain live as we age. Read the rest to discover what it is and how researchers say it helps.

Read this then:If you don't want to do it anymore, it could be Alzheimer's first sign.

Dementia has your brain shrink.

Shrunken Brain Scan
Atthapon Rakthaput / Shutterstock

Experts say that the brain of people living with the atrophy of dementia at a higher and faster pace than usual. "It is believed that the narrowing of the brain associated with Alzheimer's disease is caused by the accumulated damage of plates caused by a type of protein," said Renn. "However, it is not clear why these proteins work and accumulate - and if it is a cause or consequence of Alzeheimer's disease."

Michael Roizen, MD, head of well-being emeritus at the Cleveland Clinic,author ofThe great age restart, and founder ofThe great age restart Add: "Stress is a main cause of brain narrowing in normal humans, but lack of connections and lack of use are major factors."

Read this then:If you cannot do it, you can be at high risk of dementia, says a new study.

The challenges and puzzles are essential to a healthy brain.

Blue Puzzle Pieces
Arkhawt / Shutterstock

Sandi Petersen, DNP and a senior health and well-being vice-president in Pegasus Senior Living, says that your brain challenge stimulates links between nerve cells and could help generate new cells and protect against cell loss.

"Any mental stimulating activity should help you develop your brain," she notes. "Read, learn a new language, find opportunities for" brain exercises ", such as word puzzles or mathematical problems. Experience things that require manual dexterity as well as mental efforts, such as drawing, painting and other trades. "

A study examined the effect of certain games on people's brains.

Crossword Puzzle
Julia Sudnitskaya / Shutterstock

ForThis recent study, the researchers divided 107 participants with MCI into two groups: a trained in web -based crosswords, and a trained in cognitive video games. After 78 weeks, the crossword group showed a greater cognitive improvement and less narrowing of the brain.

"The results [were] in contrast to what the authors really expected to find," saidClaire Sexton, DPHIL and principal director of scientific programs and awarenessAlzheimer's association. She explained that the researchers expected to see more impressive results of specially designed video games, as opposed to the programmed program on regular crosswords. "There has been a lot of research in the field," she adds, noting that "we really need additional tests like this, to really better examine the cause and the effect".

Dementia is developing gradually.

Various Brain Scans
Atthapon Rakthaput / Shutterstock

Some diseases are rapid and seem to appear from nowhere, but dementia is not part of it. As Petersen explains, "progressive neurocognitive disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease, can start when an individual is in their thirties and the 40 appointments make reckless decisions on finances or are noted to poor awareness to security. "

"We know that dementia is not only developing overnight," said Sexton. "According to studies on the brain, we can see changes in the brain ... Key characteristics, such as levels ofamyloid and tau In the brain, amyloid levels begin to accumulate 10, 20 years before someone obtained a diagnosis. ""

These changes in the brain, she explains, can start to have effects on cognition of years before an official dementia diagnosis.Forget your keys Or why you have entered a room is not necessarily a cause of alarm, she says. Rather, look for the changes in memory and reflection behavior, things that "interfere" with people's daily activities ".AE0FCC31AE342FD3A1346EBB1F342FCB

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Doing these things can also help keep your brain healthy.

Mediterranean Style Food
Antonina Vlasova / Shutterstock

Stimulating your brain with crosswords and other mental challenges is an excellent start, but many other things can help keep your brain bright as you get aged too.

Petersen recommends eating a healthy diet, keeping your blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol under control, and avoiding tobacco and excessive alcohol consumption. She says, "Nutrition is one of the keys to a healthy brain. People who follow a Mediterranean style diet composed of fish, nuts, unsaturated oils (olive oil), fruits, vegetables and vegetable protein sources has been demonstrated by certain research being less likely to develop cognitive disorders and dementia. ""

And Renn adds that "everything we do to keep our body healthy will also help protect our brain - and therefore cognitive health - without risks or side effects."

"Pay attention to your mental health and your sleep hygiene," advises Petersen. "Anxious, depressed or poorly watch out for a bad score on cognitive function tests. Although there is no correlation between these factors and cognitive decline, healthy aging is supported by good sleep and a positive perspective. " And "staying social," she continues. "Strong friendships and frequent interaction with others have been associated with a lower risk of cognitive decline."


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