Drop Dementia Risk with This Protein
October 16th 2009 22:21
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By RealAge
Search Imagine a brain so uncertain, you have to rely on others to tell you what to do and when to do it. Now imagine a protein source that helps you avoid that scenario.
The source? Fish. A recent study suggests that eating fish a few times a week may reduce dementia risk by as much as 19 percent!
Fish Fat Does You Favors
How does fish do it? It's not the protein. Credit those lovely omega-3 fatty acids found in our finned friends. Researchers believe these fats somehow protect cognitive function. And if you use fish to replace some of the red meat in your diet, all the better. Too much red meat may increase the risk of dementia, the same study suggests.
More Ways to Stay Smart
Eat lots of cruciferous veggies.
Walk every day. Walking can give you a bigger hippocampus.
Dr. Mike carries mustard in his pocket for his brain.
Brain plasticity is how scientists describe your brain's ability to reorganize neural pathways as a result of new experiences. In plainer terms, a plastic brain will learn -- and retain and use -- information better. So what's the price of plastic? About the cost of a pair of walking shoes. People who are fit have more plastic brains.
Get in step and you'll boost circulation in all parts of your body, including your brain. That's probably why the folks who walked regularly in a recent study were able to focus better on a task, compared to the people who performed only stretching and toning exercises. Walking is so good for your brain that it may lower your risk of dementia as you get older. In fact, walking may be just about the best thing you can do for your overall well-being. Walking can:
• Decrease osteoarthritis pain and improve stability, endurance, and agility
• Reduce the risk of colon cancer and possibly breast cancer
• Protect against diabetes in high-risk people and lower blood glucose and improve insulin action in people who already have the disease
• Lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart attack
Grab 30 minutes a day (broken into three 10-minute segments, if need be) and you'll also help keep your weight in check, boost your energy and stamina levels, and probably handle stress better, too.
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