How to Keep Your Brain Healthy While You Are Aging

By: Royane Real Click author's name for more of his/her articles

Do you look forward to getting older? They say that all of us want to live long, but that no one wants to be old.

As much as we may dread suffering physical pain and illness in old age, many of us fear even more the possibility that we might lose our mental capacities and end up completely helpless in a nursing home. In fact, losing our mental abilities due to dementia is one of the main reasons that many seniors can no longer live independently.

Often the first hint that our memory is starting to lose its sharpness happens around the fifth decade of life. As people enter their middle years, they start to notice more and more frequent lapses of memory, particularly their short-term memory. They may enter a room to do something, and forget what it is.

They may be unable to recall the name of someone who used to live next door. And they may start to worry that their forgetfulness is more than just a harmless incident, they worry that it might be the first hint of something far more sinister—perhaps the onset of Alzheimer’s Disease.

Alzheimer’s is the name given to a very serious brain disease in which the brain cells are killed by microscopic plaques and tangled fibers. The parts of the brain needed to form and access recent memories are usually destroyed first. Brain cell destruction spreads to other parts of the brain, causing a loss of function, and eventually death follows.

At present there is no known cure for Alzheimer’s disease. Scientists are racing to learn the cause, or causes of Alzheimer’s, and to find a way to stop the destruction of the brain once it starts. As baby boomers age, millions of them will be at risk for acquiring Alzheimer’s and other serious brain diseases.
Alzheimer’s disease is not the only cause of loss of brain function in elderly persons. There are many other causes that can lead to a diminishment of mental capacity or to outright dementia in later years.

Fortunately, you can learn what the risk factors are which are associated with a higher likelihood of developing problems, and you can take steps to counteract them.

The good news is that you don't need to make a choice between looking after your heart, or looking after your brain. In many cases, what's good for the heart will benefit the brain as well.

High blood pressure is a major risk factor in developing dementia. Not only does high blood pressure damage brain cells directly, but it also increases the risk of stroke, which will lead to the permanent destruction of brain cells. To prevent strokes, have your blood pressure checked regularly, and if your blood pressure is too high, work with your doctor to bring it down to a safe level.

Diabetics are at particularly high risk for developing dementia. If you are diabetic, it is very important to get your blood sugar levels under control.

If you want to protect your brain for the long term, avoid excess alcohol consumption. Long term consumption of more than two alcoholic drinks a day can directly damage brain cells, as well as deplete the body of important nutrients it requires to function, particularly Vitamin B1 (thiamin).

There are many more lifestyle changes which have been shown to have a beneficial effect on the aging brain. If you use common sense and make an effort, you too will be able to grow old gracefully.

Article Source: ABC Article Directory

About The Author: This article was written by Royane Real, author of "How to Be Smarter - Use Your Brain to Learn Faster, Remember Better and Be More Creative" Discover more life improving information articles and products at www.royane.com