Here’s how to slow down cognitive decline in seniors

This study entitled Protect Brain Health Through Lifestyle Intervention to Reduce Risk was carried out with 2,111 participants, aged 60 to 79, in the United States for two years. Meanwhile, It was funded by the Alzheimer’s association, with the sum of $ 50 million.

“These were cognitive healthy people. Furthermore, who to participate in the study, had to be completely sedentary and present a risk of dementia due to health problems such as prediabetes and limit high blood pressure,” explained the main researcher Laura Baker, professor of gerontology, geriatrics and internal medicine to the Wake Forest University of Medicine Winston-Salem, in North Carolina in CNN.

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Participants attended 38 meetings in major American cities, where they were given advice on their lifestyle to have. Nevertheless, This involved in particular here’s how slow down cognitive to do physical exercises. Furthermore, to have a good diet, on the importance of socialization and to make games to stimulate the brain. In addition to taking their blood pressure, they were subject to physical and cognitive medical examinations every six months.

During six team meetings. Meanwhile, the other half of the study participants only received information on brain health and were encouraged to choose the lifestyle changes best suited to their schedule. Nevertheless, This group was not coached. Similarly, Participants also underwent physical and cognitive examinations every six months.

“We have found that people participating in the structured program seemed to delay normal cognitive aging from one to two years compared to the other group. which had not benefited from the same level of support,” Baker told CNN. “However, the second group has also improved its cognitive scores over time.”

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here’s how slow down cognitive

Important factors – Here's how slow down cognitive

The study reveals that. physical exercise is an important factor in the face of cognitive decline. Participants notably made 30 minutes of aerobic exercises per day, stretching, in addition to going to the gym every week. The researchers were able to collect data from their state of health through the connected bracelets.

In addition, food is another important factor in the equation. Study participants were submitted to the Mind diet (Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay). combining the Mediterranean diet with food restrictions according to the DASH diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension). Thus, they had restrictions and had to limit sugar, fried foods, processed meat, dairy products, cheese and butter. And the results were very positive, allowing them not to deprive themselves and to take advantage while remaining healthy.

Researchers have also reported in the study that seniors must socialize. above all stimulate their here’s how slow down cognitive brains through games that make you think. During the study reported by CNN, participants had, among other things, to speak to strangers or go out with friends. They also stimulated their brains with games via a very popular online application.

Boundary

Although the clinical study has made it possible to harvest many data. there is still a long way to go for researchers. According to Laura Baker, data analysis must be deepened because the study has certain limits.

“Even if we use different stimuli in the tests. passing a test several times familiar with the situation,” she explained to CNN, specifying that it is the phenomenon of “training effect”. “You are not really smarter, you are just more relaxed and comfortable.”

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Dr. Dean Ornish. professor of medicine at the here’s how slow down cognitive University of California in San Francisco, also recalls that the Pointer study targets people at risk of dementia, and not those with Alzheimer’s at an early stage, who would need more important lifestyle changes.

However. he claims that these new data make it possible to complete its clinical study, which has shown that multiple and more intensive changes in lifestyle often improve cognitive capacities in people already diagnosed with the beginning of Alzheimer’s disease. “But the Pointer study has shown that more moderate changes in lifestyle may be enough to prevent disease. ” he added to CNN.