Overcoming the Genetics of Dementia
In regard to brain aging, it has been said that while genetics may be the bullets which have been loaded into your “gun,” lifestyle choices pull the trigger, firing off the cascade of brain changes we know as dementia.
Both my mother and my maternal grandmother suffered with dementia, beginning in their 60’s. While they absolutely shared some of the same genes, they also shared many lifestyle characteristics which studies have now shown significantly stack the odds in your (not-so) favor when it comes to brain cell loss.
My grandmother and my mother shared these brain-detrimental lifestyle similarities:
- Sparse social connections
- Ate far more prepared foods than whole foods
- Led physically sedentary lives
- Enjoyed white bread, pasta, and cake, and regularly ate large portions of each
- Suffered from unresolved, poorly managed depression
Additionally, my mother added to her “dementia triggers” by smoking cigarettes since she was 16 years old.
If your family’s brain health history is similar to mine, today I hope to lift the heavy burden of “What if… me, too?” from your mind.
Here’s what you and I can do to significantly decrease our odds of developing dementia:
- Eat a heart and brain healthy diet. Purchase foods primarily from around the perimeter of your grocery store. (Fruit, veggies, meats, eggs and dairy.)
- Exercise, both muscle strengthening and endurance/cardio training. This promotes new brain cell production and strengthens existing connections in the brain.
- If you smoke—seriously, STOP! What’s bad for your heart is worse for your brain.
- Protect your brain from being banged around. Wear helmets when biking, skiing, etc. and use your seatbelt. Brain tissue injury from head trauma is often permanent.
- Correct significant hearing loss with hearing aids. This keeps your brain attuned.
- Aim/plan to sleep for 7-8 hours each night. This is the time when your brain does its “housecleaning,” clearing out all the broken bits and waste products.
- Stay connected to other people—the 3-D version (not solely online).
Are these better lifestyle choices a 100% guarantee against future dementia onset? No. But they have been found to be a HUGE brain-game changer.
You and I have some serious Kingdom work ahead of us, so let’s get started building some better brain matter!