A brain that was rapidly aging becomes young again: Things to do starting in your 40s

Depending on how you spend your middle age, your brain may either approach dementia more closely or be able to postpone it indefinitely.

The key period for dementia management is middle age.

 

The beginning of middle age, once you pass forty, the body boards the express train of aging.

Inflammation in the blood increases and metabolism slows down. A midlife crisis also strikes the brain.

The volume shrinks and learning slows down. After forty, the brain stands at a crossroads of dementia.

 

Changes in the volume of the hippocampus and white matter in the brain are clearly visible on MRI scans of the brain.

As a result, fluid intelligence, memory, and processing speed all decline. Fluid intelligence has been experienced so far

It refers to the ability to solve problems that have never been encountered before.

 

However, only one crystallized intelligence has risen. Crystallized intelligence is based on the experiences gained so far.

The ability to solve problems with understood knowledge. Experience and wisdom increase, but quick reflexes tend to decline.

That is scientifically true.

 

However, the rate of aging is not equal for everyone. Some people experience a reversal of aging, and

Some people age rapidly. How they spend their middle age determines whether dementia occurs early or not.

It is decided whether it will be delayed.

 

Even with the same genes, the differences in expression levels vary greatly from person to person.

This individual variability is called genetic heterogeneity, and it becomes greater during aging than in the growth period.

Genes that affect the brain tend to show greater variation among individuals.

This period of increasing individual differences also occurs around middle age, in one's 50s.

 

So, what should we do and how can we turn the midlife crisis into an opportunity?

 

First, let's look at the 2020 dementia prevention report from the Lancet Commission.

This report is a meta-analysis that consolidates all research related to dementia prevention and is cited like a textbook.

Here, five factors that increase the risk of dementia in middle-aged individuals, specifically those aged 45 to 65, are listed.

 

Hearing loss, traumatic brain injury, hypertension, alcohol consumption, and obesity are ranked in order of their contribution.

Among all causes, hearing loss is the most severe.

If your hearing is less than 25dB, you must wear a hearing aid.

 

The best way to protect middle-aged brain health is to develop cognitive reserve.

The more you try new things instead of familiar ones, increase physical activity, and actively engage in social relationships

Cognitive pre-ability increases. Additionally, one more thing to add is that you must sleep deeply.

When we fall into deep sleep, the waste products accumulated in the brain are thoroughly cleaned.

 

A diet to prevent dementia is also important. The MIND diet, based on the Mediterranean diet, is

It is known to be good. Eat plenty of mixed grains, beans, vegetables, and include nuts and olive oil.

A diet centered around fish as the main source of protein, accompanied by vegetables.

If I were to emphasize one thing there, it would be that eating foods high in dietary fiber is beneficial.

 

Finally, the importance of aerobic exercise cannot be overlooked.

Aerobic exercise actually helps maintain the volume and function of the shrinking hippocampus and white matter that occurs from middle age.

It greatly helps in making improvements. Especially in situations where you are short of breath but can still carry on a conversation to some extent.

Running or walking while maintaining your heart rate strengthens the brain and heart.

 

Science clearly shows that middle age is a crisis for brain health.

But at the same time, it also indicates an opportunity for reversal.

 

=============================

 

The main factors contributing to dementia are hearing loss, traumatic brain injury, hypertension, alcohol consumption, and obesity, in that order.

 

If you have difficulty hearing, it is essential to undergo a hearing test and wear a hearing aid.

 

You should never consider hearing loss as a trivial matter.

 

And you must ensure that there is absolutely no impact or shock to the head.

 

High blood pressure, alcohol consumption, obesity...

 

These days, there are many young dementia patients as the world advances.

 

There are many loud noises, and also many people who hurt their own ears by wearing earphones and playing music loudly.

 

Ultimately, the only way to prevent dementia seems to be to cherish your own body.

 

Always keep in mind the prevention of hearing loss, traumatic brain injury, hypertension, alcohol consumption, and obesity.

 

By combining a healthy diet with aerobic exercise, you can maintain a healthy and youthful brain ^^