Here’s how to protect your brain now!
As we age, our hair may turn gray and smile lines may set in.
And our brains will shrink (really!).
Photo:Getty Images. EatingWell design.
Blame it on cognitive aging.
Fortunately, diet and medication can help.
Studies show that antihypertensive medications may reduce the risk of developing dementia by 7% to 11%.
This change can impair the blood supply to your brainor cause vascular damagewhich can negatively affect memory.
Additionally, high blood sugar levels can promote inflammation, which may damage brain cells and contribute to dementia.
Excess insulin in the brain can also imbalance the brains chemicals, potentially leading to cognitive decline.
If you are living with diabetes, partner with your health care team.
They can help you develop strategies to manage blood glucose, including diet, medication andlifestyle changes.
B vitamins are especially important, as deficiencies invitamin B12, thiamin orfolic acidcan contribute to cognitive decline.
One silver lining is that depression is treatable, and addressing it can help improve cognitive decline.
No matter how oldor youngyou are, it’s never too early to protect your brain!
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