According to this article in Eating Well magazine, walking three times or more a week can help reduce your risk of dementia.
walking-just-3-times-per-week-might-reduce-dementia
Other tips to help reduce dementia risk include living a healthy lifestyle. Read more from Eating Well below:
So, what exactly does this preventative lifestyle entail? Here are 3 healthy habits to adopt now to keep your mind (and body) healthy.
1. Exercise
Regular physical activity was defined meeting the American Heart Association recommendations of at least 150 minutes of moderate activity per week or 75 minutes of vigorous activity per week-or a combination of the two. It could also be defined as engaging in moderate physical activity at least 5 days a week or vigorous activity once a week. Sounds like a lot, but it’s just 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week. Try going for a walk at lunchtime or break up those 30 minutes into 10 minute bursts.
2. Healthy Diet
A healthy diet was equivalent to consuming at least four out of these seven healthy food groups-fruits, nuts and seeds, vegetables, whole grains, fish and shellfish, dairy products and vegetable oils. The authors of the study say these foods are linked to better late-life cognition and reduced dementia risk.
Related: Your Anti-Aging Diet
3. Alcohol Consumption
The authors of the study noted cutting out alcohol wouldn’t necessarily lower you risk more than just drinking in moderation. As long as women drank no more than one drink per day and men no more than two, one could still reap the preventative health benefits. One drink is equivalent to 12 ounces of regular beer (5% ABV), five ounces of wine (12% ABV) or 1.5 fluid ounces of 80 proof spirits (40% ABV).
Related: Is Drinking Alcohol Bad for My Health?
The Bottom Line
These lifestyle behaviors mentioned above not only show to be promising in promoting better brain health-they have shown to be extremely beneficial for many other aspects of our health as well. From protecting our hearts to preventing cancer to helping us lose a little weight, we can all benefit from implementing these healthy behaviors in our lives for dozens of reasons.
Ms. Jenn Landers | Patient Advocate Alliance LLC Edited by Dr. Justin Groode
