Genetic Factors
As medical technology advances, we have more preventative and screening measures as options for our loved ones and ourselves. The need for this technology is also becoming greater because our genes are progressively deteriorating from the compounded hazards of modern life. The levels of pollution, toxic materials, and nutritionally inferior foods are at an all-time high that were perhaps unimaginable a century ago. As more diseases are included in our family history, the inevitable question is: “Am I genetically predisposed to dementia?”
Specific to Alzheimer’s disease, the ApoE4gene (apoliprotein E4 allele) is the culprit for degenerative brain disease and it can be passed down genetically. Other genes could be possible for non-trauma causes of dementia. While the ApoE4gene test is available (because Alzheimer’s is the best-known form of dementia), it isn’t always available for everybody who is worried about developing dementia. One way to change this would be to support genetic research and lobby for the testing to be made more readily available.
But there are other factors that influence our genetic “destiny”. For those legitimately worried about having dementia-prone genes, no amount of available genetic testing will actively change their destination. In other words, the testing itself will only inform the individual about what could happen but won’t actually stop it. What does actually change things, even at the cellular level, are lifestyle practices that could prevent or at least significantly delay the onset of dementia.
Nutrition is a major factor for influencing how genes play out their role. Feeding living food to living cells is a way to prevent deterioration – and deterioration (of brain cells) is ultimately what causes dementia, in all its forms. There are plenty of superfoods being touted as “smartbombs” that target certain parts of the body, and brainfoods are gaining popularity as the latest food trend. Be wary of manufactured or processed brainfood products, and look for whole foods such as avocado, blueberries, kale, mussels, and salmon. There are many more to look for, and here’s the secret: actively researching and finding those brain foods is another way to prevent dementia.
Completely Controllable Risk Factors
Dementia has taken on legendary status and is the “scary disease” that most people think of when confronted with the possibility of developing an illness. In fact, many people mistakenly think that dementia is a natural part of aging (that it comes with old age), which is not true at all. Or at least, it doesn’t have to be. There are seven proven risk factors that have entirely to do with behavioral choices, and actively working to choose healthier options in each of those areas will significantly delay, if not outright prevent, dementia. Those seven factors are:
1. Mid-life hypertension: High blood pressure, especially chronically, can eventually lead to strokes. There are two types of strokes, ischemic (clotting) and haemorrhagic (bleeding), and while they are very different, the important thing to remember is that any stroke has the capability of damaging the brain. This physical harm, even after recovery, can leave permanent consequences that can directly lead to dementia. Controlling blood pressure levels can not only prevent strokes, they can ensure blood vessels in the entire body (but especially in the brain) to remain healthy and functioning.
2. Diabetes: While Type I is genetically inherited, Type II is very much brought on by lifestyle choices. Even those who are genetically predisposed still have the responsibility to maintain treatment because diabetes itself is no longer a death sentence the way it once was. What diabetes does is that the failure of keeping blood sugar levels eventually damages all major organs, including the brain. Read more about diabetes to see what changes can be made to stop blood vessels from becoming brittle.
3. Mid-life obesity: Obesity in general has never been the bearer of good news for any health issue, but many who previously had no weight problems suddenly become obese in their 40s and 50s. The secret to this sudden change is in hormones. Menopause (and “manopause”) is essentially the sudden decrease of estrogen/testosterone levels that shocks the body into throwing all other hormonal levels into a state of panicked imbalance. This imbalance disrupts sleep, metabolism, blood pressure, and a host of other functions that up until then hasn’t been a problem – and when the body isn’t functioning properly, the brain will jump on the bandwagon and begin to deteriorate. Another culprit is often the thyroid, both hyper- and hypo-thyroid issues have wreaked havoc on the body’s ability to sustain itself, often leading to weight fluctuations that lead to other problems.
4. smoking
5. depression
6. cognitive inactivity/low educational attainment
7. physical inactivity