Introduction
As we age, our brains can become more vulnerable to diseases like dementia. Fortunately, there are steps we can take to help slow the progression of dementia. Dr. Sanjay Gupta, a renowned neurosurgeon and medical correspondent for CNN, has identified five key ways to help slow the progression of dementia. Eating the right foods and avoiding the wrong ones is one of the most important steps we can take to help protect our brains. In this article, we’ll explore five ways to slow dementia according to Dr. Sanjay Gupta, and how to make sure you’re eating the right foods to help protect your brain.
5 Ways to Slow Dementia, Says Dr. Sanjay Gupta — Eat This Not That
Dementia is a progressive brain disorder that affects millions of people around the world. While there is no cure for dementia, there are ways to slow its progression. Dr. Sanjay Gupta, a renowned neurosurgeon and CNN’s chief medical correspondent, has outlined five key steps to help slow the progression of dementia.
1. Eat a Healthy Diet
Eating a healthy diet is essential for maintaining a healthy brain. Dr. Gupta recommends eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. He also suggests avoiding processed foods, sugary drinks, and foods high in saturated fat. Eating a balanced diet can help reduce inflammation in the brain, which can slow the progression of dementia.
2. Exercise Regularly
Regular exercise is important for maintaining a healthy brain. Dr. Gupta recommends engaging in aerobic exercise for at least 30 minutes a day, five days a week. Exercise can help improve cognitive function and reduce the risk of developing dementia. Additionally, exercise can help reduce stress and improve overall physical health.
3. Get Enough Sleep
Getting enough sleep is essential for maintaining a healthy brain. Dr. Gupta recommends getting seven to eight hours of sleep each night. Not getting enough sleep can lead to cognitive decline and increase the risk of developing dementia. Additionally, getting enough sleep can help reduce stress and improve overall physical health.
4. Stay Mentally Active
Staying mentally active is important for maintaining a healthy brain. Dr. Gupta recommends engaging in activities such as reading, puzzles, and games to help keep the brain active. Additionally, socializing with friends and family can help reduce stress and improve overall mental health.
5. Manage Stress
Managing stress is essential for maintaining a healthy brain. Dr. Gupta recommends engaging in activities such as yoga, meditation, and deep breathing to help reduce stress. Additionally, getting enough sleep and exercising regularly can help reduce stress and improve overall mental health.
By following these five steps, you can help slow the progression of dementia and maintain a healthy brain. Remember to consult with your doctor before making any changes to your lifestyle.
Are age-related brain diseases inevitable? Not according to CNN’s resident brain surgeon Dr. Sanjay Gupta, who believes an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. “We’re making tremendous progress in understanding why people develop neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia,” says Dr. Gupta. “We used to think it was a fixed problem that couldn’t be altered and was preordained, so if your parents had it, you would too. That’s not the case, and it’s inspiring to know that relatively small lifestyle changes can make a huge difference.” Here are five ways to slow 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.
The CDC recommends adults get at least seven hours of sleep every night. Sleep impacts every aspect of your wellbeing, and it’s especially important for brain health. “There is a rinse cycle that happens in your brain when you sleep,” says Dr. Gupta. “You are basically clearing out metabolic waste. That happens when you are awake, but the process is close to 60 percent more efficient when you are asleep. You’re clearing out plaque and tangles, and all the things that lead to dementia. You’re helping the brain run more smoothly.”
“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. “You know, people keep saying that ‘sitting is the new smoking.’ Every time you’re about to sit, say, ‘Do I need to be sitting.’ And then just try and moderately move throughout the day. It’s so effective in terms of what it does to the brain and what we can measure it doing to the brain. And there are simple habits that you can do — for example, take the stairs rather than the elevator. It takes months, years to change the heart. The brain can change like that.”
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Dr. Gupta recommends a diet rich in omega-3s—and plenty of berries. “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.”
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Where brain health is concerned, it’s truly a matter of use it or lose it for your cells. “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 Gupta. “We want to constantly be using new paths and trails and roads within our brain.”
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Your friends, family, and community are helping keep your brain young. “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.”