Research shows that a side-sleeping position improves the brain's glymphatic system, which is the cleansing system that removes waste from the brain. This waste is believed to contribute to the development of Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative diseases.
Side sleeping could help keep you sharp and possibly reduce your dementia risk. Here's why: During the day, toxic byproducts of the brain's activities accumulate in the central nervous system and are flushed away during sleep via cerebrospinal fluid, which surrounds the brain and spinal cord.
To our knowledge, this study is the first to show a relationship between time spent in the supine sleep position and dementia.
Sleeping in the lateral, or side position, as compared to sleeping on one's back or stomach, may more effectively remove brain waste and prove to be an important practice to help reduce the chances of developing Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and other neurological diseases, according to researchers at Stony Brook University ...
Sleep position, including raising the head at night with an adjustable mattress, foam wedge or even pillows may help ease cognitive symptoms. Sleep quality has been shown to have significant effect on neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer's dementia (AD), mild cognitive impairment and other forms of dementia.
This waste is believed to contribute to the development of Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative diseases. By sleeping on your side, this waste is eliminated more efficiently and effectively. As a result, side sleeping is the best way to sleep for your brain.
Introduction: The five-word test (5WT) is a serial verbal memory test with semantic cuing. It is proposed to rapidly evaluate memory of aging people and has previously shown its sensitivity and its specificity in identifying patients with AD.
Research suggests the answer to both questions is yes. In a long-term study, Harvard Medical School followed 2,800 individuals ages 65 and older. Researchers found that individuals who slept under five hours per night were twice as likely to develop dementia compared to those who slept six to eight hours per night.
Specifically, sleeping on the side or back is considered more beneficial than sleeping on the stomach. In either of these sleep positions, it's easier to keep your spine supported and balanced, which relieves pressure on the spine and enables your muscles to relax and recover.
“Sleeping on the left side can increase circulation and is often recommended for those with heart disease or high blood pressure. This position allows for better oxygenation of the body, which may help improve cardiovascular health,” Seeley said.
Current research suggests that sustained, moderate intensity aerobic exercise — such as brisk walking or swimming — offers the most benefit for the brain.
Reflux and heartburn: If you suffer from heartburn, sleeping on your right side can make symptoms worse, Salas says. That's true for people who have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and for people who have heartburn for other reasons, such as pregnant women.
Exercise. "The most convincing evidence is that physical exercise helps prevent the development of Alzheimer's or slow the progression in people who have symptoms," says Dr. Marshall.
As the exact cause of Alzheimer's disease is still unknown, there's no certain way to prevent the condition. But a healthy lifestyle can help reduce your risk.
Research is ongoing, but so far, a history of sleep trouble does seem to increase the risk of dementia for some people. One study suggests sleep deprivation could increase your dementia risk by 20%. In middle age, even getting less than 6 hours of sleep per night may increase your dementia risk in the future.
"Long sleep duration has been associated with global brain atrophy, more white matter hyperintensities, and proinflammatory biomarkers (eg, interleukin-6 and C-reactive protein), which may be the pathways linking long sleep duration to dementia," write the researchers.
The SAGE test is a 12-question exam that measures cognitive functioning and may help a physician determine whether Alzheimer's is present.
For most people with Alzheimer's — those who have the late-onset variety — symptoms first appear in their mid-60s or later. When the disease develops before age 65, it's considered early-onset Alzheimer's, which can begin as early as a person's 30s, although this is rare.
The optimum sleeping orientation, according to old beliefs such as Vastu Shastra, is south. This implies when you lay down in bed, your skull is pointing south and your feet are pointing north. Sleeping with your head towards the east is also useful. Sleeping in the south or east leads to happiness and fortune.
Many foods — blueberries, leafy greens, and curcumin (found in the spice turmeric), to name a few — have been studied for their potential cognitive benefit. These foods were thought to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant or other properties that might help protect the brain.