What do you do for yourself to prevent dementia?

[Anonymous]

I eat lots of fiber and at least 30 different plant sources weekly - spices and coffee/tea count in this equation, it’s not that hard to accomplish. A healthy gut it foundational for a healthy brain.

I got my shingles vaccine the day I turned 50; there is a correlation between being vaxxed against shingles and a lower rate of dementia.

Similarly I get the updated Covid vaccine yearly, because research has established that those who do have a lower rate of cancers in subsequent years. The mRNA vaccines stimulate the immune system to work more efficiently in general, which means it works better at attacking developing cancer cells which occur in any aging mammal on a regular basis. Also anything that keeps the immune system robust will help with maintaining brain health.

I read and do puzzles and engage new ideas on the regular.

I eschew alcohol entirely - it’s poison that shrinks the brain and especially bad for an aging brain.

I try to work on my physical activity levels, which is a bit of a challenge because my job - caring for profoundly demented patients - is largely sedentary. Recently I’ve taken up weight lifting and body weight exercises I can do while hand feeding and otherwise caring for my current profoundly demented patient.

Dementia is awful; it’s worth it to do whatever you can to avoid or delay it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Haven't read the responses, but I keep up to date on the research. I do the key things:

-healthy mostly plant based diet avoid ultra=processed foods
-exercise especially use weights
-don't drink alcohol at all
-healthy relationships and more boundaries with toxic family
-keep learning new things and keep up hobbies (while still working as much as is possible)
-manage mental health-which for me was about boundaries with certain extended family members
-floss daily and avoid mouth wash-especially mouth wash with alcohol

I forgot to include the mouthwash one in my list - luckily was never big on the stuff except maybe just before a date, but was shocked to learn in recent years how bad it is for gut and thus brain health. Brush, floss - ditch the mouthwash.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The human brain is made of cholesterol. I believe a diet rich in red meat and good fats is key. And never take a statin drug.

Ouch this is so painfully ignorant.

[Anonymous]

Peppercorn pp, do you put that on food or just eat them without chewing?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Eat plant based, little oil, little sugar. No animal products.
Shingles vax.
Good sleep hygiene.
GLP-1.

Absolutely not. Not as you age. Protein is super important and most aging people do not get enough in their diet to sustain the muscle mass they need. This is terrible advice.

No, this is NOT terrible advice. Go do a google search for vegan body builders. Humans can get
ALL the protein they need from PLANTS, without any of the negative effects of consuming animal products. Do you think gorillas aren’t strong? I mean seriously, crack and book and stop getting nutritional advice from bros on tik tok.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's genetic, there's nothing you can do.

No actually research has established that lifestyle factors are a greater than 50% influence on cancers AND dementia.

[Anonymous]

NYT word games
Try to make sure I have no inflammation
Keep my weight manageable
Sleep well
Get some good endorphins, serotonin, oxytocin, dopamine going by playing and snuggling with the dog
Regular and enjoyable sex
Learning new things

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Haven't read the responses, but I keep up to date on the research. I do the key things:

-healthy mostly plant based diet avoid ultra=processed foods
-exercise especially use weights
-don't drink alcohol at all
-healthy relationships and more boundaries with toxic family
-keep learning new things and keep up hobbies (while still working as much as is possible)
-manage mental health-which for me was about boundaries with certain extended family members
-floss daily and avoid mouth wash-especially mouth wash with alcohol

I’ll google to see why to avoid mouthwash. I never heard that before.

OP

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The human brain is made of cholesterol. I believe a diet rich in red meat and good fats is key. And never take a statin drug.

Ouch this is so painfully ignorant.

I suppose it's ignorant if your diet consists of take-out, fried foods, mayonnaise made with canola and soybean oil, etc. A paleo diet is best for health.

[Anonymous]

I have heard that learning a new language as well as doing crossword puzzles helps.

I personally learn a new word every day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's genetic, there's nothing you can do.

Only a portion is genetic. Lifestyle and diet can undo so much that is "genetic" in your life, if you are committed to it.
For ex: High BP runs in spouses family (all siblings had it by mid 20s). One of our kids has high BP in mid 20s. But instead of just popping a pill, they got serious about diet and exercise (and a few supplements known for helping with BP) and within 2 months were back to "normal BP". So they are healthier because of the changes and are not relying on medications for the next 60+ years. If they need meds, they will use them, but they realized you can adjust your diet and lifestyle and solve a lot of issues.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m doing all the things mentioned already.

I’m also having as much fun as possible b/c I’ve got 27 yrs before I’m the age my mother got Alzheimers. She did everything right but the gene is strong (her mother and sister died of Alz and her other sister has it now).

I’m glad you are doing this. My mother was advised to do some things to enjoy her money but she rarely did. Now, a large chunk goes to the people who own the assisted living…

OP

Well I'd prefer to be in a nice assisted living place should I need it/need memory care. So I'd spend some and enjoy life now, but also plan for an extended stay in memory care for myself. I have a relative who spent 6+ years in memory care and was just then moving to the more advanced part. They still did puzzles and were active. Died from getting the flu and not recovering (over 90). But they were aware of where they were and their life for those 6 years, so I'm glad they were in a good facility

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's genetic, there's nothing you can do.

No actually research has established that lifestyle factors are a greater than 50% influence on cancers AND dementia.

Don’t forget environmental factors—and their interaction with lifestyle/genetics.

The idea that it’s all genetics is a combination of human genome research sucking up all the funding + good old eugenics + rapacity of corporations that don’t want to stop using known carcinogens.

Genetics are a factor but for many/most diseases not the primary one.

[Anonymous]

I teach zumba, barre, pilates, and stretch. Because I'm the instructor, I'm constantly memorizing, choreographing, creating new patterns, etc. And I can never be lazy and skip class bc I'm the instructor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The human brain is made of cholesterol. I believe a diet rich in red meat and good fats is key. And never take a statin drug.

Ouch this is so painfully ignorant.

I suppose it's ignorant if your diet consists of take-out, fried foods, mayonnaise made with canola and soybean oil, etc. A paleo diet is best for health.

Sure, if you want the health of a paleolithic person - dead in your 40s, that is.