Not getting enough sleep for a long time may increase a level of protein in your brain called Tau, which is directly related to cognitive decline and can cause Alzheimer's disease.
For example, smoking, obesity, and excessive use of alcohol are all risk factors for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.
One of the habits that can increase your risk of developing dementia by four times is the habit of skipping your breakfast. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Having a nutritious and healthy meal in the morning can help you concentrate and keep you active all day long.
While there is no conclusive evidence that we can prevent the development of dementia, there is a general acknowledgement that there are some areas where poor lifestyle choices may increase the risk of developing dementia (that is, a poor diet, smoking, drinking excessive amounts of alcohol, lack of exercise, and not ...
The dementia risk was 69% greater for individuals who slept over 8 hours, versus 7-8 hours. The risk was also twice as high for those who went to sleep before 9:00 p.m., versus 10:00 p.m. or later.
SMOKING AND ALCOHOL
Addictions like smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and poor diet choices all contribute to the addition of the stress and inflammation in our body. This also makes our body more acidic and less alkaline which also accelerates the aging process.
Alzheimer's disease is thought to be caused by the abnormal build-up of proteins in and around brain cells. One of the proteins involved is called amyloid, deposits of which form plaques around brain cells. The other protein is called tau, deposits of which form tangles within brain cells.
Many foods in the Western diet have been identified as risk factors for dementia and Alzheimer's, including red and processed meats, refined grains, sweets, and desserts. Excess alcohol intake, saturated fatty acids, and foods with a high number of calories are also risk factors for Alzheimer's.
Many habits contribute to poor brain health, but four areas can have the most influence. They are too much sitting, lack of socializing, inadequate sleep, and chronic stress.
Sleep on your side to boost brain power
Side sleeping could help keep you sharp and possibly reduce your dementia risk.
Problems can include wandering and getting lost, trouble handling money and paying bills, repeating questions, taking longer to complete normal daily tasks, and personality and behavior changes.
Those who adhered to four or all of the five specified healthy behaviors were found to have a 60% lower risk of Alzheimer's. The behaviors were physical activity, not smoking, light-to-moderate alcohol consumption, a high-quality diet, and cognitive activities.
Alzheimer's disease has been associated with low levels of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Because choline is a precursor to acetylcholine, scientists have tested if choline supplements can increase acetylcholine levels in the brains of Alzheimer's patients.
Here are the top worst offenders: Processed meats & cheeses: Foods like bacon, ham, and meats from the deli counter contain nitrosamines. Nitrates cause increased fats in the liver, which can be toxic for the brain. Excessive consumption of processed meats can also increase the risk of dementia.
If I am affected by stress, should I worry about getting dementia? The current evidence indicates that while chronic stress may play a role in the development or progression of dementia, it does not necessarily cause dementia.
Lower levels of education, higher rates of poverty, and greater exposure to adversity and discrimination may also increase risk of Alzheimer's disease. Among all races, women are nearly two times more likely to be affected by Alzheimer's disease than men. The difference is due primarily to women living longer.
"Eat a lot of vegetables, good fats like tahini and avocado, and if you eat carbs, only whole wheat, oats and spelt," said Roseman. "Healthy nutrition generally prevents illnesses and slows aging in both the body and skin."
Exposure to light is a top cause of premature aging: Sun exposure causes many skin problems. Ultraviolet (UV) light and exposure to sunlight age your skin more quickly than it would age naturally. The result is called photoaging, and it's responsible for 90% of visible changes to your skin.