Drive DOWN Dementia Risk Up to 40%!
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted January 3, 2024
When it comes to health, there’s often a certain amount of an “Oh well, there’s nothing I can do about it” attitude.
I see it all the time.
Someone sits in my office and tells me that a family member had heart disease, cancer, diabetes, or dementia, and they’re resigned to getting those exact same diseases because of their “family history.”
“I just have bad genes, Doc,” they insist. “My father died at 72, and I’ll be lucky to make it that far.”
Now, I don’t want to discount the effect of genes on our health. But your genes are NOT your destiny. Your ACTIONS drive many of your health outcomes.
And that’s especially true when we’re talking about your brain health and dementia risk.
A massive study published in the journal The Lancet found that almost HALF of dementia cases can be attributed to modifiable risk factors. In other words, things you CAN change.
In fact, there are 10 factors that folks have some control over that can DRAMATICALLY slash their risk of dementia and other devastating diseases. (And that’s DESPITE what’s written in their genes.)
- Education: You may have a hunch that more education is better for your brain. And this is partly true. But what this finding REALLY refers to is the old concept of “use it or lose it.” You don’t have to have a doctorate hanging on your wall to protect your brain. Simply keep it in shape by doing puzzles, reading, and engaging in activities that make it work. (Yes, TV shows like Jeopardy count!)
- Hearing loss: There’s a strong association between how well you hear and your brain health. Have your hearing checked often, and get hearing aids if needed.
- Blood pressure: High blood pressure is as harmful to your brain as it is to your heart. There’s a lot you can do to bring it under control naturally. I shared some of my BEST tips to do just that HERE in this earlier post.
- Alcohol: Either avoid alcohol altogether or make sure you’re only indulging occasionally. Alcohol is a toxin that creates body-wide inflammation… including in your brain.
- Obesity: Keeping your body mass index (BMI) under 30 is excellent for your brain (and every other organ and system in your body). Having trouble dropping those extra pounds? THIS could be the reason why.
- Smoking: Don’t smoke. If you do, stop.
- Depression: Mental health has a surprisingly strong effect on your overall brain health. But you can often fight depression naturally with exercise and taking the proper nutrients, such as the potent combo of S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe) and the probiotic called Lactobacillus plantarum.
- Social isolation: Being alone and not connected to others can take a toll on your brain long-term. Find ways to connect with others and become part of a community, such as attending church, taking classes, or volunteering.
- Physical inactivity: If you don’t exercise, find a way to incorporate it into your life. It will improve your health from brain to belly.
- Blood sugar: Uncontrolled diabetes is BAD for your brain now (triggering brain fog) and long-term (high blood sugar damages the brain).
Two other factors affect brain health that are less under your control but still are critical…
- Traumatic brain injury: Obviously, damaging your brain can have long-term consequences. But what is less apparent is how to prevent it. The best thing you can do is to avoid putting yourself in risky positions. Car and motorcycle crashes cause many traumatic brain injuries, but so do falls. Awareness of your surroundings, keeping floors and stairs uncluttered, and keeping up with your eyeglass prescription can all help reduce your fall risk.
- Air pollution: To reduce your exposure to brain-damaging air pollution, seal up your house on high pollution days, invest in a good HEPA filter for your home, and avoid risky chemical cleaners that can pollute the air in your home.
Dementia isn’t inevitable, even if you have a family history of the disease. And your genes don’t dictate your fate.
Taking these steps to protect your brain can slash your risk of dementia by up to 40 percent and ensure your brain stays firing on all cylinders for the REST of your days.
P.S. Fight dementia with your NOSE?!
Source:
“Dementia prevention, intervention, and care: 2020 report of the Lancet Commission,” The Lancet, The Lancet Commissions, Volume 396, ISSUE 10248, P413-446, August 08, 2020, doi. org /10.1016/S0140-6736(20)30367-6
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
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