Neuron the right track!
It’s essential to embrace healthy habits that enhance the brain’s ability to absorb information while staving off mental decline.
Alzheimer’s disease is the leading cause of cognitive decline in older adults. Over 6 million Americans have the progressive brain disorder, which affects memory, thinking, reasoning, language and behavior.
“The single most important risk factor for Alzheimer’s is aging,” Dr. Giulio Taglialatela, the vice president and research institute director of the Brain Health Institute at the University of Texas Medical Branch, told The Post.
“While of course there isn’t any single step you can take to stop the clock of aging,” he added, “there are a number of behaviors that in combination can help slow the process, especially by reducing someone’s risk of developing conditions like obesity and Type 2 diabetes, which are shown to be linked to decreasing brain health.”
People with obesity have fat tissue that releases increased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines.
These molecules can enter the brain from the bloodstream and cause the brain’s resident immune cells to become overactive and start damaging healthy neurons, Taglialatela said.
He has three tips for aging better and avoiding this vicious cycle of inflammation.
Berry sweet, berry smart
When you’re craving a snack, Taglialatela suggests reaching for blueberries.
Blueberries are rich in antioxidants — especially anthocyanins — which combat oxidative stress from free radicals, thereby protecting cells from damage that contributes to aging and age-related diseases.
“Eating a cup of blueberries, one by one, also forces you to slow down when you’re eating, which can be helpful in promoting moderation,” Taglialatela said.
“The sense that you’re hungry tends to go away the longer you spend eating your food.”
Wine not?
“While there are well-known benefits to having a small glass of red wine with dinner (like reducing the risk of a heart attack), it’s important to limit your alcohol consumption,” Taglialatela said.
“A glass of wine can help — a bottle of wine will hurt you.”
Scientific research is divided on red wine’s health effects.
Olivia Pope’s favorite drink is rich in heart-healthy polyphenols, including the antioxidant resveratrol.
But some experts say it’s better to get these compounds from other sources.
If you do have a glass of wine, Taglialatela recommends pairing it with a meal.
“Similar to how excessive fat can disrupt the delicate brain inflammatory balance, spiking alcohol levels (which happen when drinking on an empty stomach) can do the same and cause neuroinflammation,” he explained.
Fur-real fitness
Moderate, non-strenuous exercise stimulates the production of neurons, Taglialatela said.
He advises taking your dog for a nightly walk.
If you don’t have a pooch, a mile-long casual stroll in your neighborhood will do.
While there’s nothing you can do about Alzheimer’s risk factors like genetics or family history, Taglialatela said these three lifestyle habits will “pay dividends down the road not only for your brain health, but for your overall health.”
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