Cutting neurological risk

A new study published in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry identified 17 overlapping factors that can reduce your risk of stroke, dementia (including Alzheimer’s disease) and late-life depression at once. 

All of these conditions cause underlying damage to small blood vessels in the brain, reports the principal neurologist at the Brain Care Labs at Mass General. The greatest risk factor is high blood pressure. Blood pressure numbers wander around with your activity, but both numbers should be less than 130/80 most of the time.  Other causes include being overweight, high blood sugar, high cholesterol, a diet high in red meat and cheese, hearing loss, kidney disease, pain that interferes with activity, poor sleep quality, smoking, loneliness, and stress. 

Healthy habits can change your causative factors and protect your brain. They include: low to moderate alcohol intake, regular engagement in mentallpexely stimulating activities (creating, reading, doing puzzles), a diet high in vegetables, fruit, dairy, fish and nuts, moderate to high levels of physical activity, a sense of purpose in life, and a large social network.

—Ruth Fugee, RN, MSN

Ruth is the leader of the Parish Health Team. Contact her at ruth.fugee@gmail.com.

Photo by Kindel Media

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