(by
Le D.
MD MPH - CEO of
OptiChroniX
)
As we age, our risk of chronic diseases also increases. One of the chronic diseases that people are most afraid of developing is dementia. It is not inevitable, however. Forty percent of dementia cases can be prevented or delayed. We can proactively do things to prevent cognitive decline and maintain our health and independence. Here are eight tips for maintaining a healthy brain even as you age:
- Exercise regularly: Physical activity has been shown to improve cognitive function and reduce the risk of developing dementia. It increases blood flow to the brain providing it with the necessary nutrients to function optimally. The best form of exercise is the one that you enjoy most, which can be yoga, running, walking, dancing, or cleaning! As long as you are moving your body, you are helping your brain think, learn, remember, problem-solve, and process emotions better.
- Eat a healthy diet: A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats that avoids processed and sugar foods has been linked to better brain health. Cooking foods with fresh ingredients that you enjoy to eat is one of the best ways to start feeding your brain well!
- Stay socially active: Social isolation has been linked to an increased risk of developing dementia. It is important to maintain strong relationships and engage in activities that involve social interaction to keep your brain healthier and happier.
- Challenge your brain: Engaging in activities that challenge your brain, such as puzzles or learning a new skill, can help your brain develop new mental pathways and connections that prevent or slow the onset of cognitive decline.
- Get enough sleep: Poor sleep has been linked to an increased risk of developing dementia. Allow 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night in order to allow the brain to rest and repair itself.
- Manage stress: Chronic stress has been linked to an increased risk of developing dementia. It is important to find healthy ways to manage stress, such as through exercise, mindfulness, or therapy.
- Limit alcohol consumption: Excessive alcohol consumption has been linked to an increased risk of developing dementia. It is important to drink in moderation, if at all.
- Monitor your cognitive health: myAVOS is a wellness app that provides a risk calculator for late-life dementia and a speech-enabled digital biomarker that monitors cognitive change. By addressing modifiable risk factors such as physical inactivity, stress, poor sleep, and an unhealthy diet, myAVOS can help reduce the risk of dementia significantly through personalized lifestyle interventions.
Following these tips and using a tool like myAVOS are proactive steps to protect not only our brain health but also reduce our risk of dementia and other chronic diseases.
OptiChroniX
developed myAVOS to empower people and their carers to have the resources, choice, and opportunity to optimize their cognitive health with a digital health platform that measures general health, tests cognitive function, and provides personalized support to implement evidence-based lifestyle changes that help people take control of their brain health.
If you or a loved one want to find out more about myAVOS and test our solution.
