Page 45 - Seniors Today - January Issue
P. 45
Diet
Including foods with a high proportion of
proteins and other nutrients, such as oily
fish, fruit, vegetables, unrefined cereals and
olive oil, coupled with a reduction in intake
of red meat and sugar, is associated with a
reduced risk of dementia. Studies estimate
that it could reduce the risk by about a
third.
It’s also advisable to keep a check on alcohol
intake.
Including fruit, vegetables, unrefined cereals and olive oil
in your diet could reduce the risk of dementia by about a
Hypertension third
A history of hypertension in your middle
age can increase your risk of developing We, therefore, need to promote education
dementia in later life. for all…
Seek treatment as soon as possible.
Type 2 diabetes mellitus Cognitive inactivity
People suffering from type 2 diabetes are Reduced cognitive activity, even excessive
more at risk to develop dementia, than non- passive cognitive activity, such as watching
diabetics. television, has been observed to increase
risk of dementia.
Obesity We need to give our brain a daily workout,
Reducing weight, maintaining a healthy such as reading, solving puzzles, word
weight will reduce your risk of morbid searches or crosswords, playing cards or
conditions like type 2 diabetes, stroke and learning something new.
heart disease – and, therefore, indirectly,
probably dementia too. Solitary confinement
Keeping to yourself, not meeting people can
Smoking also increase your chances of dementia.
Smoking can increase the risk of both Try to keep yourself socially engaged,
Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia. encourage a good social network. Take up
Research shows between a 30 to 50 % a new hobby that allows you to socialise…
increase in risk depending on the study and volunteer for social causes, join clubs.
type of dementia
Avoid smoking…If you do already, try to Trauma to brain
quit the habit. A grievous injury, trauma to the brain can
increase the risk of dementia to a large
Poor childhood education extent.
People with low education exposure Thus, though age plays a large role in the
(lower secondary or less) as a child have an onset of dementia, and is not in our control,
increased risk of developing dementia in we should take other precautions which can
later life. help protect us from dementia.
SENIORS TODAY | ISSUE #19 | JANUARY 2021 45
