Unmasking the Biggest Brain Aging Threats
Accelerators for Premature Aging of the Brain's Vulnerable Area
In a groundbreaking international study, the team of researchers zeroed in on a brain weak spot that suffers accelerated degeneration in old age, making it susceptible to Alzheimer's. To dig deeper, the research crew analyzed the brain scans of 40,000 UK Biobank participants aged 45 and above, focusing on the genetic and environmental factors affecting the vulnerable brain network.
After assessing 161 dementia-related risk factors and accounting for the influences of both age and sex, they discovered the top three hazards that significantly speed up brain aging:
- Diabetes: People with untreated diabetes tend to develop early signs of Alzheimer’s almost twice as fast as those who manage their diabetes.
- Traffic-related Air Pollution: Long-term exposure to air pollution caused by traffic can raise blood pressure and increase the risk of diabetes, which both contribute to dementia and brain aging.
- Alcohol: Moderation is key when it comes to alcohol consumption, as both excessive drinking and abstaining can heighten the risk of dementia.
Anderson Winkler, a co-author from the National Institutes of Health and The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, explains that this study is unique because it took into account the combined impact of each modifiable risk factor, giving insights into some of the most critical factors for dementia and paving the way for dementia prevention and targeted interventions[1][2].
Skirting These Brain-aging Perils
If you're looking to minimize your risk of dementia, focusing on these three main risk factors is a good starting point.
- Alcohol poses the easiest challenge, as moderate consumption reduces the risk of heart troubles (a risk factor for dementia)[3]. If you choose to drink, maintain moderation by following the guidelines set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
- Men: Limit alcohol consumption to two drinks or less per day
- Women: Limit alcohol consumption to one drink or less a day
- Diabetes control and prevention are essential. Besides losing weight and regular exercise, adopting a Mediterranean-style diet is optimal, as it's loaded with fiber, brain-supporting nutrients, and glycemic-improving spices.
- Traffic-related Air Pollution may prove to be the hardest hurdle, given most urban dwellers are exposed to some level of air pollution. To minimize the ill effects of air pollution, start with a vitamin B supplement high in folic acid, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12. Although living in a rural area is ideal, maintaining healthy nutrition and taking proactive steps to detoxify will help defend your body against pollution-induced damage[4].
Editor's Note: Keep your heart in tip-top shape by discovering the secrets of long-lived hearts: The Hushed-Up Natural Heart Cures and Common Misconceptions of Popular Heart Treatments!
Sources:
- Risk factors for faster aging in the brain revealed in new study - EurekAlert!
- The effects of genetic and modifiable risk factors on brain regions vulnerable to ageing and disease - Nature Communications
- Alcohol and Public Health Frequently Asked Questions - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- The impact of air pollution on human health and the environment - World Health Organization
- The discovery from the international study suggests that inflammation, a common factor in medical-conditions like diabetes, could be a significant contributing factor to brain aging and the risk of dementia.
- Science suggests that adopting a detox regime, such as a Mediterranean-style diet rich in fiber, brain-supporting nutrients, and glycemic-improving spices, could help manage diabetes and reduce the risk of brain aging.
- In line with environmental-science research, taking a vitamin B supplement high in folic acid, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12 may help protect against the ill effects of traffic-related air pollution on the brain.
