Impact of Lifestyle on Brain Health and Prevention of Neurodegenerative Diseases

Overview

Human beings experience various physiological and psychological changes during their lives. Changes in brain function and structure adversely affect cognitive and physical performance. The rate of decline is difficult to understand because individual differences are lifelong.?

The incidence of dementia and Alzheimer's disease (AD) is one of the most common neurodegenerative diseases expected to increase in the coming decades as the population ages. As the incidence of Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia continues to rise, new evidence suggests that lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise and sleep play an important role in reducing the risk of developing dementia. I'm here.

As we age, it is normal for our bodies and brains to undergo changes. But there are things we can do to slow memory loss and reduce our risk of developing Alzheimer's, other dementias or any other neurodegenerative diseases.?

These are called the common pillars of brain health and are:

1. Physical exercise: Training isn't just about aerobic capacity and muscle size. People who exercise regularly tend to do so because it provides them with a great sense of well-being. You will feel more energetic during the day, sleep better at night, your memory will be sharper, and you will feel more relaxed and positive about yourself and your life. It is also an effective drug for many common mental health problems. Studies show that exercise can treat mild to moderate depression as effectively as antidepressants, but without the side effects. Exercise is a natural and effective treatment for anxiety. It relieves tension and stress, increases physical and mental energy, and releases endorphins to enhance well-being. People who exercise regularly have a lower risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. Sports improve blood circulation and memory. It stimulates chemical changes in the brain to improve learning, mood and thinking.

2. Diet and nutrition: We are what we eat. As we age, our brains are exposed to more harmful stress by lifestyle and environmental factors, resulting in a process called oxidation that damages brain cells. Foods rich in antioxidants help prevent the harmful effects of oxidation in the brain. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that helps regulate sleep and appetite, regulate mood, and control pain. About 95% of our serotonin is produced in our digestive tract, which is lined with hundreds of millions of nerve cells, or neurons. So, the inner workings of our digestive system are not only involved in the digestion of food, but also in the digestion of food, digestion helps guide our emotions. Studies have compared "traditional" diets, such as the Mediterranean and traditional Japanese diets, to typical "Western" diets, and found that people following traditional diets had a 25-35% lower risk of depression. is shown. Therefore, what we eat has a great impact on our physical and mental health.??

3. Sleep & Relaxation: First, a healthy amount of sleep is crucial for 'brain plasticity', the ability of the brain to adapt to input. If you don't get enough sleep, you won't be able to process what you learned that day and will have a hard time remembering it in the future. Researchers also believe that sleep may facilitate the removal of waste products from brain cells, which does not appear to be very efficient in the waking brain. Not getting enough sleep increases your health risks. Symptoms of depression, seizures, high blood pressure, and migraines worsen. A weakened immune system makes you more susceptible to illness and infections. Sleep also plays a role in your metabolism. Even a healthy person can become pre-diabetic after a single night of sleep deprivation. Sleep gives energy, improves mood and immune system, and may reduce the accumulation of abnormal proteins in the brain called amyloid-beta plaques, which are associated with Alzheimer's disease. Practicing meditation and managing stress can help prevent age-related declines in brain health.??

4. Mental Exercise: Just as our bodies need care and exercise throughout our lives, so do our brains, especially as we age. Weightlifting strengthens our muscles, and strengthening our mental "muscles" improves your memory, mental quickness, attention, social skills, intelligence, and navigation. People of all ages can benefit from incorporating some brain teasers into their lives for long-term mental health. All you need is a few minutes a day. Studies have shown that doing a little bit of these exercises each day works best, rather than spending a few hours each week. Join a brainstorming game, read a book, meditate, exercise your senses, or learn a new skill.?

5. Social Life: An active social life can protect us from amnesia. Spending time with other people, having stimulating conversations, and staying in touch with family and friends is good for brain health. Studies have shown that people with the most social interaction within a community have the slowest amnesia.?

Conclusion

Looking how drastically the external factors affect our brain health and can help mitigate various neurodegenerative diseases, it is therefore the call of the hour that we start focusing on our mental health and educate everyone we come across.