Health

Learn how to Prevent Dementia With this New Report from the WHO

By Paige Leigh Reist┃Posted: May 16, 2019

Far too many of us have been touched by the hand of dementia. We’ve watched our loved ones suffer with confusion and memory loss, develop uncharacteristic behaviors, and succumb to depression. Not only can this be incredibly difficult, but it often leaves us wondering if dementia is our fate, as well.

Dementia, according to the World Health Organization, is “a syndrome – usually of a chronic or progressive nature – in which there is deterioration in cognitive function (i.e. the ability to process thought) beyond what might be expected from normal ageing. It affects memory, thinking, orientation, comprehension, calculation, learning capacity, language, and judgement.”

Although dementia is seen as an older person’s disease, it’s not simply a routine symptom of aging that we must deal with--in fact, you can work towards prevention with a few simple lifestyle changes. A new report from the WHO indicates a few guidelines that you can live by to reduce your risk of dementia.

Get regular exercise

Regular exercise is vitally important for healthy brain function, especially in older adults. Cardiovascular exercise reduces insulin resistance and inflammation, as well as stimulating the growth and survival of new brain cells and supporting the hippocampus. For those of us who crave strength, flexibility, and cardiovascular health, yoga is a wonderful option that has been proven to have numerous benefits for both the mind and the body.

Quit smoking and limit alcohol intake

Smoking, along with posing countless additional dangers to your health, also increases your risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s. Drinking is a little more forgiving, but if you choose to indulge, opt for the occasional glass of red wine, as heavier drinking can actually alter your genes to make you more susceptible to dementia later in life.

Eat a balanced diet and manage your weight

Obesity, like smoking, is unquestionably detrimental to your health. Those with a BMI higher than is recommended are also more likely to develop dementia. One of the essential ingredients to reversing obesity is eating a healthy diet. An Ayurvedic diet makes it easy--it’s designed to address your specific body type, and focuses on fresh, seasonal, plant-based ingredients.

Keep your body in balance

The good news is that if you’ve been implementing the above strategies, you’re already on a good path to maintaining healthy blood pressure, good cholesterol levels, and an appropriate blood sugar balance. These are all important elements in dementia prevention.

Meditate

In addition to the guidelines laid out by the WHO, meditation can have a significant impact on your brain health. Studies are exploring the relationship between meditation, cognition, and dementia, and the outlook is very positive. New research shows that Sahaj Samadhi meditation in particular can also alleviate late-in-life depression, which is a common side effect of dementia.

Your body and your mind are not separate! You exist as one beautiful whole. Take care of your body, and your mind will benefit. Take care of your mind, and your body will thrive.

This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.