Page 50 - Tropic Magazine Issue 17

TROPIC • HEALTH

THE FOLLOWING LIFESTYLE
CHANGES HAVE BEEN SHOWN
TO SIGNIFICANTLY DECREASE
YOUR DEMENTIA RISK:

Aerobic exercises reduces
brain atrophy. It has been
shown that adults who
exercised in midlife,
around the age of 40, were
less likely to develop
Reduce your risk dementia after age 65.

ADVICE The Mediterranean Diet
is associated with a
Tropic columnist Dr Alex lower risk of developing
delves into some helpful tips Alzheimer’s disease. In
for reducing your risk of particular importance for
dementia. cognitive function are the
nutrients Folate, Vitamin
WHAT IS DEMENTIA? B6 and Vitamin B12.
Dementia is an umbrella
term for a group of symptoms Education in general
including memory problems and seems to increase your
difficulties to carry out everyday “cognitive reserve” - the
activities. It has become the If you are concerned about brain’s ability to function
second leading cause of death increasing forgetfulness you should even if a percentage of
worldwide with an increasing see your GP to potentially rule out brain cells are affected.
tendency. Alzheimer’s disease other, reversible causes, establish a
accounts for the majority of proper diagnosis and modify your Optimisation of
dementia cases. lifestyle factors. If you are a person cardiovascular risk factors
Until very recently, research caring for somebody with dementia such as obesity, smoking
focused on finding a single cause or you simply want to learn more and high blood pressure
for Alzheimer’s disease, called the about it, there is a fantastic free
“amyloid hypothesis”. We now online course from the University has a positive effect on
believe that there are in fact many of Tasmania you could take - just your dementia risk.
different causes triggering the Google it. Why don’t you get that Periodontal disease
shrinkage and plaques formation bike out now and see your dentist? (gum infection) has
in the brain.
The biggest risk factor Best regards, been associated with The Healthy Hub is your hub for everything good
statistically is being aged over 60 an increased risk
to 65 years. Dr Alex of cardiovascular, and healthy in Cairns, Far North Queensland.
A very small proportion of cerebrovascular and
dementia with an early onset in Alzheimer’s disease. Fresh, local and organic produce with a focus on
life is due to genetic influences. MORE: doctoralex.com.au supporting and sourcing direct from the
region’s farmers.

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