It’s Never Too Late – Or Too Early – To Implement Healthy Brain Lifestyle

Palos Heights – Most Americans recognize that creating a long, healthy life begins decades before we enter retirement. Over 26% of adults, an all-time high of 81 million people, now belong to a health club or fitness center and about half of Americans say eating a healthy diet is important or very important. Not smoking, avoiding alcohol and exercising help prevent heart disease, cancer and stroke, especially when these conditions run in the family.

Wendy De Leon says that all these habits are not just good for your body; they also have a positive effect on the health of your brain.

De Leon, a mobile care consultant with Alzheimer’s Association, is coordinating a presentation “Building Brain-Healthy Habits” in conjunction with Pathlights on Thursday, September 24. She says, ““We’re always told, watch your heart, watch your weight, watch your lungs. Your brain is just as important. The things that are good for your cardiovascular health are also good for your brain.

While there is no one way to prevent Alzheimer’s or dementia, you can reduce the risk of developing it by implementing lifestyle habits as early as possible.”

De Leon notes that “Building Brain-Healthy Habits” was created in response to the U.S. Pointer Study, which identified interventions to improve cognitive function in older adults.

One of those interventions, and one that De Leon feels is often neglected, is healthy sleep. There are four stages of sleep, and De Leon says it’s not necessarily the numbers of hours a person sleeps each night, but that they cycle adequately through all these stages. “You need to sleep until you feel good, whether that’s 6 hours or 10 hours. Healthy sleep is necessary to get your brain to thoroughly rest and recharge each night.”

The diet recommended for brain health is very similar to that recommended for cardiovascular health. Recommended diets can include eating habits based on the Mediterranean diet, emphasizing vegetables, fruits, whole grains and lean proteins such as fish. The DASH diet is also recommended, which limits red meat such as beef, pork and lamb, full-fat dairy products, coconut and palm oils, and sugar.

De Leon is particularly concerned about promoting brain healthy habits in minority populations. “African-Americans are 2 times more likely and Latinos are one time more likely than non-Hispanic white older adults to develop memory loss. Experts believe this is based on diet and exercise habits, because communities of color are also more likely to have high instances of high cholesterol, diabetes and cardiovascular disease,”

Beyond diet and exercise, there are other significant habits that can delay the development of Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. New research shows that this can’t happen too early, with healthy habits formed as early as the age of 6 affecting memory loss in adulthood. The study, published in the American Journal of Preventative Medicine, notes that being read to and having access to resources like a globe or maps in early childhood is linked to a delay of about 5 years in Alzheimer’s development and seven years for signs of cognitive impairment.

Keeping the mind actively engaged throughout life is vital, says the research. This should include mentally demanding activities such as learning new skills and languages, reading, solving puzzles, dancing, singing and playing a musical instrument. For example, it’s better for your brain to read a book than to watch TV. It’s better to solve a crossword puzzle than scroll on your phone, at any age.

Even better, notes Lily Becker, Senior Manager at Pathlights, is doing these things with another person or in a group. “Loneliness has been proven to accelerate the development and advancement of memory loss and cognitive decline. Joining a book club at your local library, taking a class at your park district, or just going for a brisk walk with a good friend and engaging in conversation is brain-healthy.”

Pathlights itself offers many opportunities for older adults and caregivers to socialize and combat loneliness each month. The organization provides support and resources to older adults in Bremen, Lemont, Orland, Palos, Rich and Worth townships, helping them navigate the journey through aging with compassion and innovation. Programs include home-delivered meals, in-home services, protection from abuse and assistance with SNAP, health care benefits and other financial help. Pathlights hosts a variety of educational events and support groups each month.

Becker says, “We’re very pleased to bring “Building Brain-Healthy Habits” to the Chicago Southland. The information and lifestyle habits Wendy and the Alzheimer’s Association will detail can help participants understand how changing simple things in their lives can help them maintain and improve their brain health to stay independent for years longer.”

“Building Brain-Healthy Habits” will be held at the Orland Park Public Library at 14921 Ravinia Drive on Thursday September 24 at 6 pm. To register, call 708-361-0219 or visit pathlights.org.

“This evening time will also help younger people attend the program, as building healthy habits early is very important to delay memory loss,” says De Leon. “It’s never too early – or too late - to take care of your brain.”