Keeping our BRAINS HAPPY

Lifestyle changes and scientific discoveries could be key to a more positive future

Although dementia is reportedly on the rise, it’s not inevitable. According to Alzheimer’s Society, around four in 10 cases can be prevented by avoiding smoking, excessive alcohol, and eating foods high in saturated fat and sugar.

Cardiovascular problems, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and obesity, all increase the risk of memory loss, thinking problems and dementia. ‘But you can help protect your brain with some of the same strategies that protect your heart,’ explains Dr Pixie Mckenna. Keeping heart and blood vessels healthy – through a healthy diet and regular exercise – reduces the risk of cognitive decline and dementia, according to a report by the Global Council on Brain Health (GCBH).

We reveal what foods should be filling your plate, plus other brain healthy habits you should try.

HEALTHY BODY, HEALTHY MIND

✢ Move more

Just one hour of exercise a week can slash the risk of Alzheimer’s disease by almost half, according to a study by the University of Cambridge. And one in three cases could be prevented if people exercised. Aerobic exercise may even help those who are at risk of, or already have, dementia*.

✢ Hit the hay

‘Lack of sleep over time may contribute to the risk of Alzheimer’s,’ says Dr Beanland. ‘We know that during sleep, your brain goes into “repair” mode and flushes out toxic proteins, a bit like a dishwasher on a “clean” cycle. If you sleep less, this may trigger the repair mechanism less often, which may lead to a slightly increased risk of dementia.’ ✢ Lift your mood

‘It’s important to look after your mental health, as depression and other mental health conditions can raise your risk of dementia,’ says Dr Beanland. A study from the University of Massachusetts suggests it could increase your chances by 50%. This is because depression can cause changes in the brain. ✢ Look after your teeth Brushing and flossing twice a day not only protects your gums, but your brain too. It’s thought infected gums release inflammatory by-products into the bloodstream, which travel to areas of the brain involved in memory.

HOPE FOR THE FUTURE

Researchers are also working hard to protect our brains, by looking into the mechanisms behind the diseases that cause dementia. ‘The more they understand what’s causing brain cells to eventually stop working and die, the more information they have to fuel the development of disease-modifying treatments,’ says Dr Beanland. Most recently, there’s mounting evidence that our guts could hold the key to stopping Alzheimer’s. It’s thought gut bacteria can influence the levels of inflammation in the body, which then impacts the brain via the blood supply. But more research is needed.

Early diagnosis is also important. ‘Research now shows that brain changes occur over a decade before symptoms start, which offers a much greater window of opportunity to intervene with treatments,’ says Dr Beanland. Procedures like spinal fluid tests could provide a means of identifying people in these early, pre-symptomatic stages.

As yet there is no cure for dementia, but scientists are optimistic. Professor Bart De Strooper from University College London has even said that an effective treatment could become available by as soon as 2028. Watch this space…