Nearly 40 million people around the world are living with dementia. Those numbers will more than triple by 2050.1
Alzheimer’s disease may make up as many as 80% of dementia cases… But it’s not the only culprit. Thyroid problems and vitamin deficiencies can also cause symptoms.2 There are simple things you can do to help avoid it. No matter how old you are.
Here are five easy ways to prevent dementia:
1. Eat More Fat: Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is one of the main fats in fish oil—a supplement we recommend you use every day. And it may be the key to reducing damage to your brain.
Researchers at Loyola University Chicago found it can decrease brain inflammation and cell death by up to 90%. This was after exposing brain cell cultures to alcohol. Abusing it is a major risk factor for dementia… Yet up to two drinks a day may help prevent cognitive decline. Our advice is to enjoy it in moderation. You should also add oily, cold-water fish to get more DHA in your diet. Wild-caught salmon is your best choice. Grass-fed beef is another good source.
2. Don’t Skip Sleep: Even an occasional night of poor sleep could be putting you at risk for dementia. A recent study revealed men with the most sleep disturbances are almost four times more likely to develop it.3 The worst part is you may not even realize it’s happening…
Even mild sleep apnea can steal oxygen and blood from your brain while you sleep. Your brain flushes toxins during sleep. Getting enough is one of the easiest things you can do to avoid dementia. Try adding natural melatonin from pineapple and tart cherries to help sleep through the night.
3. Get Exercise: Most people think the benefits of it stop at your waistline or heart. The truth is exercise also affects how your brain works. Research shows it significantly reduces the effects of dementia in 55% of seniors. And that’s just the ones who already report having it.
It doesn’t have to be strenuous exercise. Even relaxing activities like tai chi and dancing can help. But the more intense it is, the more neurotrophins you build. These are proteins that help control memory. They also determine your ability to learn new things. Making the switch to high-intensity exercise may help you save your brain.
4. Tame Anxiety: Studies show people with the highest levels of anxiety are at the most risk for dementia. And not just a few percentage points… We’re talking a 135% increase in odds of developing Alzheimer’s. But don’t ask your doctor for an antianxiety medication just yet…
Benzodiazepines—like Ativan, Valium, and Xanax—may raise your Alzheimer’s risk by 51%. And that’s after just three months on them. After six months, that number may double. Don’t put yourself in even greater danger. Use natural solutions instead. A handful of blueberries can help. Almonds and turkey are other foods that can ease anxiety.
5. Add Antioxidants: They fight free radical damage and inflammation in your brain. This helps keep neurons firing fast and proteins detangled. Research shows having higher levels of beta-carotene and vitamin C, in particular, are important for protecting against dementia. The problem is you may not be getting enough of either.
The older we get, the more at risk we are for vitamin deficiencies. Our bodies need more antioxidant power to fight aging. This means the diet we used to get by with in our twenties or thirties may not give us the nutrition we need as we age. Your diet could be “healthy,” but not substantial for fighting dementia. Try replacing grains with leafy green vegetables. Eating more anthocyanin-rich berries is another easy solution.
Dementia isn’t a normal part of aging. And it’s not just about poor focus or memory. It can rob you of your sight and communication skills. Even reasoning ability.4 But you’re more in control of your risk than you—or your doctor—may realize. Taking these steps today may help keep your aging graceful instead of painful.
Editor’s Note: Dementia isn’t the only “normal” part of aging your doctor isn’t getting right. In our next issue of Independent Healing, we’ll reveal what really causes your hearing to fade… And why more than half of people over 75 never experience it. We’ll tell you why the 80% of people who decline a hearing aid may not realize they’re saving their health… And unveil our unique protocol for the best hearing of your life—at any age. The only way to get your hands on this crucial information is to go HERE now.
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References:
1http://www.who.int/features/factfiles/dementia/en/
2http://www.alz.org/what-is-dementia.asp
3http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/15/poor-sleep-tied-to-brain-changes-of-dementia/?_r=0
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