8 Lifestyle Modifications that Can Help Outsmart Dementia

Dementia cases in the United States are increasing. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the global figures are expected to rise to 82 million people in the next 12 years. In the United States, statistics say that one in eight people currently suffer from dementia. 

Genes, age, and lifestyle contribute to the development of this mental condition. It affects the memory, behavior, thinking, and a patient's daily life.

While there is still no cure for dementia, there has been a collective effort among researchers to identify how to reduce its risks. Recent studies suggest a few interventions that can help beat the possibility of acquiring dementia. Majority of which are major lifestyle changes, which includes diet, physical, mental and social activities.

Here are 8 methods that can help outsmart dementia:

1. Eating habits: Keeping a balanced diet              

Eating 3-5 meals a day in controlled portion sizes, containing fruits and vegetables, is highly recommended. The science behind small meals throughout the day is that this practice can help control blood sugar levels that can greatly affect the brain’s health.  

The brain is at its best when nourished with good food. Fresh and natural food are known to have high levels of antioxidants. These antioxidants combat the free radicals inside the body.

There is also a specific diet that particularly benefits brain health, called the Mediterranean diet. The central part of this diet is foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids.  One study reported that reduced consumption of omega-3 fatty acids may potentially increase their risk. Seniors who have practiced this diet have retained sharp memory, stalling the symptoms of dementia.

Certain foods like dark berries, green tea, ginger, fatty fish, blueberries, and soy are believed to shield the glial cells from degeneration. Researchers confirm that these glial cells play a very significant role in cleaning synaptic and neuronal debris that may contribute to Alzheimer's development. These cells are also sometimes referred to as immune cells or cleaning cells.  

2. Get your body moving

Some cases of dementia are triggered by vascular diseases. To reduce this risk, people can resort to increasing their physical activity. This, in turn, will result in good blood circulation and oxygen flow in the body, thus keeping your heart healthy. If there is enough blood flow towards the brain, it shuns the possibility of brain damage related to dementia. The usual recommendation of thirty minutes of daily exercise can also be coupled with meditation as it is another form of brain exercise.  

Read on to learn the 6 other methods you can use to outsmart dementia.