Did you know that Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia begin to change one’s brain decades before symptoms appear? 5 Brain Fitness Tips to Help Slow Alzheimer’s
This means there are things you can proactively do to help fight Alzheimer’s, and the sooner you start the more likely you’ll have better results. Here are Silverado’s Top 5 Brain Fitness tips. 5 Brain Fitness Tips to Help Slow Alzheimer’s
- Exercise: 20 minutes a day (10 minutes 2-3 times a day, though more is better) of aerobic activity has been shown to increase the volume of the hippocampus, where Alzheimer’s starts.
- Meditate/Manage Stress: Research shows that meditative practices (mindfulness meditation, yoga, etc.) practiced for even just a few minutes a day can increase blood flow throughout the brain. Meditators also showed decreases in blood pressure and stress hormones!
- Watch Your Diet: A heart-healthy diet is a brain healthy diet. Mediterranean cuisine featuring lots of fish, lean proteins, fresh vegetables and olive oil is a good start, and avoiding excessive amounts of saturated fats, salt, dairy, fatty meats and fried foods helps all the more!
- Learn New Things: Use it or lose it! Learning new skills or picking up an additional language helps create more connections within the brain, creating a “cognitive reserve” to help in the event of dementia. While activities such as crossword puzzles may be helpful, recent research shows that they may not be as effective as previously thought.
- Join a Group: Social activities and regular outings with friends may help keep your brain happier and healthier. Volunteering and other meaningful forms of interaction can produce even greater benefits.
For other tips related to brain health, check out our Nexus Clinical References page.
5 Brain Fitness Tips to Help Slow Alzheimer’s
5 Brain Fitness Tips to Help Slow Alzheimer’s