Home careDementia Home Care in Laguna Woods, CA

Dementia is one of the most common medical conditions old people are afflicted by. Alzheimer’s disease is one of the leading causes of dementia all around the globe. In the US alone, 5 million people suffer from Alzheimer’s disease. Its overwhelming prevalence has caused many people to believe it is a normal part of aging. It’s not. To this day, Alzheimer’s disease and its etiology remains an unresolved mystery. It is a subject of scientific research in numerous prestigious universities and laboratories. So far, research infers that genetic disposition can causes the onset of Alzheimer’s as well as environmental factors that may increase your risk of developing this disease.

Our genes are not in our control but other things are. Let’s go through some practical ways of reducing your risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.

1.    Preventing metabolic syndrome

Various studies from distinguished journals have suggested that people with metabolic syndrome are a lot more vulnerable to developing dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Metabolic syndrome is a complex condition that involves hyperglycemia, hypercholesterolemia, and hypertension. Your blood pressure, blood sugar levels and blood lipid content can be controlled through lifestyle changes such as incorporating a healthy diet, regular cardiovascular exercise and weight loss. We have known for a long time that exercising and having a good diet can cut back your risk of cardiovascular conditions, but it can also prevent Alzheimer’s disease in the long term. If you are obese in your midlife years, there is a relatively higher likelihood that you may develop Alzheimer’s disease in the future.

2.    Diet is key

A healthy diet that includes all the essential macronutrients and micronutrients can improve your brain health and cardiovascular health. In fact, the two are interconnected. When your heart health is good, it will produce enough of a cardiac output to pump the brain with oxygenated blood that it needs, keeping it nice and happy. This is why heart diseases can often lead to cognitive decline. Incorporating olive oil as a main fat source in your diet and eating sizable portions of fruits and vegetables all help to protect the brain from vascular dementia. Go easy on the red meats too. This kind of diet has been shown to be highly effective in retaining brain health, especially for older people.

3.    Workout your brain

Physical exercise alone isn’t going to cut it. People who maintain their social life and keep themselves mentally active are a lot less likely to encounter a cognitive decline later on in their life. It has also been observed that individuals who retire later, at the age of 65 are significantly less likely of developing Alzheimer’s disease as compared to individuals who retire at 60. So read, play video games, write, maintain your social connections or whatever works for you to keep that mind going.

Sources*

https://www.prevention.com/health/health-concerns/8-ways-to-prevent-alzheimers-disease/slide/9

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/263769.php

If you or an aging loved one is considering home care in Laguna Woods, CA or the surrounding Orange County areas, please call us at 949-535-2211.  We provide senior care services in Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, Huntington Beach, Irvine, Laguna Woods, Laguna Beach, Mission Viejo and surrounding areas of Orange County California.  Contact us today to learn more.