Introduction
As we age, our risk of developing dementia increases. Fortunately, there are steps we can take to reduce our risk. Dr. Sanjay Gupta, a renowned neurosurgeon and medical correspondent for CNN, has identified five key ways to avoid dementia. Eating the right foods is one of the most important steps we can take to reduce our risk. In this article, we’ll explore five ways to avoid dementia, according to Dr. Sanjay Gupta, and the foods we should be eating to reduce our risk.
5 Ways to Avoid Dementia, Says Dr. Sanjay Gupta — Eat This Not That
Dementia is a serious condition that affects millions of people around the world. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk of developing dementia. Dr. Sanjay Gupta, a renowned neurosurgeon and CNN’s Chief Medical Correspondent, has outlined five key steps to help you avoid dementia.
1. Eat a Healthy Diet
Eating a healthy diet is one of the most important steps you can take to reduce your risk of dementia. Dr. Gupta recommends eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. He also suggests avoiding processed foods and sugary drinks, as these can increase your risk of developing dementia.
2. Exercise Regularly
Regular exercise is essential for maintaining a healthy brain. Dr. Gupta recommends engaging in at least 30 minutes of physical activity each day. This can include walking, jogging, swimming, or any other form of exercise that gets your heart rate up.
3. Get Enough Sleep
Getting enough sleep is essential for maintaining a healthy brain. Dr. Gupta recommends getting at least seven to eight hours of sleep each night. He also suggests avoiding caffeine and alcohol before bed, as these can interfere with your sleep.
4. Manage Stress
Stress can have a negative impact on your brain health. Dr. Gupta recommends finding ways to manage stress, such as yoga, meditation, or talking to a therapist. He also suggests avoiding activities that can increase stress, such as watching the news or engaging in negative conversations.
5. Stay Connected
Staying connected with friends and family is important for maintaining a healthy brain. Dr. Gupta recommends engaging in meaningful conversations with loved ones, as well as participating in activities that bring joy. He also suggests avoiding social isolation, as this can increase your risk of developing dementia.
By following these five steps, you can reduce your risk of developing dementia. Remember to eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly, get enough sleep, manage stress, and stay connected with loved ones. Doing so can help you maintain a healthy brain and avoid dementia.
Is dementia inevitable as we age? Not necessarily, says neurosurgeon Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN’s chief medical correspondent. “[The] first time I ever operated on the brain, you know, close to 30 years ago now, it was a mystical experience,” Dr. Gupta says. “You can’t believe that those three-and-a-half pounds are everything to us — all of our pain, all of our joy, all of our memories, all of our learning, everything.” Here are five ways to protect your brain and prevent dementia, according to Dr Gupta. Read on—and to ensure your health and the health of others, don’t miss these Sure Signs You’ve Already Had COVID.
Dr. Gupta recommends berries for brain health. “They always say, ‘Apple a day keeps the doctor away.’ I think when it comes to the brain, it’s berries,” says Dr. Gupta. “Berries, in terms of what they can do for the brain and some of these certain chemicals that they release, are probably gonna be one of your best foods.”
Want to keep your brain young? Learn new things. “The act of experiencing something new — or even doing something that’s typical for you, but in a different way — can all generate these new brain cells,” says Dr. Gupta. “We want to constantly be using new paths and trails and roads within our brain.”
Exercise is beneficial for every aspect of wellbeing—and especially brain health. “When you move, it’s almost like you’re signaling to the body and to the brain, ‘I wanna be here. I’m not ready to go!’ What the brain specifically releases [are] these things called neurotrophins; these good chemicals are sort of nourishing the brain,” Dr. Gupta says.
“What do we know about communities that have the best brain health in the world?” says Dr. Gupta. “They tend to be active, have rich social connections, and don’t hang on to their anxieties. Even communities that have failing grades on classic measures of health like cholesterol and smoking seem to be buffered in terms of brain health because of social connections… Taking brisk walks with a friend and talking about your problems is a reliable way to keep your brain healthy, both immediately and in the long run.”
Sleep is incredibly important for brain health and preventing dementia, so make sure to get the CDC-recommended amount of seven hours a night. “The brain is a remarkably complicated organ,” says Dr. Gupta. “When you go to sleep at night, it’s taking the experiences you had throughout the day and consolidating them into memory. Why do we even have experiences if we’re not going to do the things necessary to remember them, right? We’re learning that the brain is constantly sort of going through this ‘rinse cycle’ at night.” And to protect your life and the lives of others, don’t visit any of these 35 Places You’re Most Likely to Catch COVID.
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