A Brain Health Researcher Blames These Six Deadly Everyday Habits That Lead to Dementia

Quit these habits before it’s too late.

Your brain is aging with every ticking second. You can’t hold onto your youth or your health.

What’s worse is the fact that your habits are fast-tracking your brain aging. You do these habits on autopilot without giving it a second thought.

Dr. Mark Milstein, the author of “Age Proof Brain” believes these are the six deadly habits that kill your brain health faster.

These habits are integrated into your lifestyles even when they threaten your very existence. So, it’ll be hard to get rid of them but it needs to be done.

1. Look out for thee diseases at all time

Chronic lifestyle diseases are the most expensive diseases. Their treatments will wipe out your bank.

Yet we don’t learn. We follow a lifestyle that threatens our very existence, as it increases our chances of getting a stroke.

Two chronic diseases that act as catalysts are high blood pressure and high cholesterol, and if you have one then be prepared to get the other.

High cholesterol blocks your arteries with plaque and calcium that strains the blood flow in the heart and your heart has to pump harder which raises blood pressure.

High blood pressure can make tears in your arteries where the excess cholesterol can deposit.

So, if you have the one then it’s a matter of time before you get the other one.

Both these diseases are a risk factor for brain stroke. It’s a big risk that you’ll have to take if you don’t mend your lifestyle.

Here’s what you can do to prevent it:-

• Yoga has been proven to decrease the chances of both of these diseases.
• Regular check-ups are the key to prevention.
• Add more heart-healthy foods to your diet like greens, nuts, and beans.

2. Rein in your sweet tooth for better brain health

The brain is fueled by glucose, but too much of anything is bad for your health. Excess sugar poses a lethal threat to your brain.

A strong link was detected between diabetes and stroke as diabetes can lead to changes in the cerebral vessels which can cause stroke.

Moreover, people with diabetes have less chance of recovery after a stroke. So, managing blood glucose levels should be your top priority for better brain health.

But we are failing at it miserably as we are addicted to sugar. The daily consumption of sugar for an average American is 17 tablespoons, which is approximately 68 grams of sugar, more than double the recommended amount.

Also, this study found that the early onset of diabetes leads to higher chances of developing dementia.

Here’s what you can do to prevent it:-

• Decrease your daily sugar intake by cutting down on prepacked foods.
• Be aware when while shopping. Turn and learn the ingredients.

3. The biggest lifestyle mistake that hurts the brain

You have the power to heal your brain a little every day simply by doing nothing. That’s the truth no trick, no lies.

Boost brain power daily with a simple technique that requires zero hard work. All you need to do is go to bed on time and sleep for at least six hours every night.

Sleep is a cure-all that requires zero work. It’s the easiest thing you can do to boost memory power and keep neurodegenerative diseases at bay.

This study found that sleeping less than six hours a night in middle age can increase your risk of dementia by 30%.

So put a stop to your late-night binging ritual and get quality sleep every night to protect your brain from the thaws of aging.

Here’s what you can do to prevent it:-

• Shut off all media content 90 minutes before bed.
• Sleep in a cool dark room for better sleep quality.
• Try to wake up daily at the same time.

4. Your favorite foods are wrecking your brain

The principle factor that determines the outcome of health is diet. You can’t outrun, out-train, or outlift a bad diet.

You can try but it’s an unsustainable model. Your focus, productivity, and mental health will be affected directly in the process.

So, the first thing you need to do to boost your mental health is to have a good diet. A well-balanced diet is the key to longevity and a healthy brain.

One thing that a healthy diet doesn’t contain is high-inflammatory foods, which you can easily find in your nearest store.

A pro-high inflammatory diet consists of simple sugars, saturated fats, and refined carbohydrates. Your favorite fried foods, pre-packaged snacks, breakfast cereals, and sodas are full of these things.

Adopting a healthy diet is not enough you also need to give up the high-inflammatory foods that can shrink your brain decrease grey matter, and lead to smaller blood vessels.

Here’s what you can do to prevent it:-

• Cut out processed foods from your diet slowly but surely.
• Reserve one day of the week for a cheat day to indulge a little.
• Eat more vegetables, lentils, whole grains, and nuts.

5. This addiction hurts your brain the most

Addictions are a bane to your health. They wreck your physical health and ruin your mental peace as well.

Smoking is the worst thing you can do for your brain health. Nicotine can alter your brain, it’s a high price to pay for a cheap dopamine reward.

Smoking can impair cognitive function, decrease brain volume, raise blood pressure, and increase your risk of getting dementia by 30%.

And it’s the biggest cause of cancer. Smoking will put you in an early grave though you can reverse these changes by quitting smoking.

But remember it takes time to reverse the damage so quit smoking as soon as you can. Also, this time commit to quitting smoking not quitting.

Also, second-hand smoke is a big deal as researchers found out that nicotine can get in the blood and attach itself to the brain molecules with just an hour-long exposure to smoke.

Here’s what you can do to prevent it:-

• Quit smoking cigarettes and vapes.
• Avoid secondhand smoke like your life depends on it.

6. Don’t observe the fun be a part of it

Optimal brain health is dependent on a well-rounded life. Rewarding work and meaningful relationships are the two things that you need for a good life.

They are necessary for good brain health. Loneliness is a silent killer, it’ll chip away at your will to live as it can alter your cognitive and emotional state. It can also cause brain fog which will strain your focus.

Social interactions are necessary even if they are not frequent. A sense of community and belonging will contribute to your psychological well-being as well.

Join a class that helps you enhance a hobby into a passion. It can do to boost interaction and brain health as well.

If your work is tiring and not rewarding enough then you need to try out as many hobbies as you can to keep your brain engaged. Prevent stagnation through curiosity

Here’s what you can do to prevent it:-

• Come out of your shell and talk to other people.
• Develop hobbies by joining group classes for a more fulfilling social life.

Conclusion

Protect your precious brain from the thaws of dementia so quit these habits before it’s too late.

• Swap high-inflammatory foods with healthier options.
• Quit smoking and avoid secondhand smoke as well.
• Keep your blood pressure and cholesterol under control.
• Develop your hobbies and make socialization a priority.
• Limit sugary treats to keep diabetes at bay.
• Sleep at least seven hours every night.

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