The changes in the brain begin at least 20 years before symptoms show up.
Start this habit now to reduce your risk.
While disease prevention often focuses on heart disease and cancer, brain health seems to be less talked about.
Getty Images / Paula Daniëlse
The earlier you start practicing healthy lifestyle habits the better.
Thats a long list of risk factors, so where can you begin?
Keep reading for how you’re free to make a difference in your brain healthstarting today.
The #1 Habit to Start Now to Reduce Your Risk of Dementia
Exercise is the No.
1 habit to start now if youre not already doing it regularly.
The participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups for 12 months.
Those in the stretching-only group didn’t experience similar beneficial changes.
This finding will help direct their future research.
Other studies have also linked physical activity to a healthier brain.
Those who walked at least three times per week had a 81% lower risk.
While more research is needed, there are some clues as to why physical activity may improve cognition.
It can be as simple as a walk around the block.
Just start where youre at and, over time, progressively increase your time and intensity.
Try out new activities, such as pickleball, dance or yoga.
Learning something new improves brain health too.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
National Center for Health Statistics.Leading causes of death.
Alzheimers Association.2024 Alzheimers disease facts and figures.
Alzheimers Association.Dementia vs Alzheimers disease: what is the difference?
- doi:10.1001/jama.2019.9879
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Reducing Risk for Dementia.
JAMA web link Open.
