How to Avoid Senility
Whether a result of Alzheimer's disease, stroke, or simple aging, senility or dementia robs families of their loved ones. By affecting a person's mind, personality, and emotions, senility complicates a person's later years by destroying his independence in its later stages. Living with senility is not inevitable as a person ages. People of all ages retain mental acuity by eating a healthy diet, exercising both mind and body, and maintaining a positive attitude.
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Things You'll Need
- Fish, especially fish high in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon
- Fresh fruits and vegetables
- Healthy fats like walnut oil and soy oil
- Books, board games, activities
Instructions
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How to Avoid Senility
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Eat raw or cooked fruits and vegetables every day. According to WebMD, dementia is 28% less common in people over age 65 who eat fruits and vegetables daily.
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Eat fish once per week or more. In a study reported on WebMD of people over 65 without the Alzheimer's ApoE4 genetic glitch, 40% fewer cases of dementia were reported in people who ate fish at least once per week--- in comparison to people who did not eat fish.
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Replace fats like sunflower oil and grape seed oil with fats higher in omega-3 such as walnut oil and soy oil. Senior citizens who eat foods high in omega-3 fatty acids experience fewer incidents of Alzheimer's disease.
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Maintain a healthy body weight. In May 2008, an issue of "Obesity" reports on a study finding that obese people are 80% more likely to develop Alzheimer's disease than people of normal weight, and underweight people face an increased risk of 36%. Since senility comes not only from Alzheimer's disease but also from vascular changes in the brain as a result of high blood pressure or high cholesterol, two conditions linked to obesity, getting to and keeping a healthy body weight prevent a variety of conditions that harm mental function later in life.
Eating a healthful diet like that listed above in reasonable portions, along with exercising moderately on a regular basis help keep body weight manageable.
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Enjoy leisure activities that keep the brain working. Dr. Joe Verghese at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and others at Syracuse University studied the effects of leisure activities in senior citizens on their development of dementia and found that people who engage in activities like dancing, reading, playing board games, or learning a musical instrument experienced less decline in mental function than those who did not.
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Tips & Warnings
Please see a doctor for advice before beginning any new diet or exercise program to make sure it is safe for your needs. Senility can be a sign of a serious illness such as Alzheimer's disease, a vitamin deficiency, drug toxicity (from prescribed or illicit medications), or cardiovascular disease. See a doctor for diagnosis if symptoms are troublesome or progressive, since many of these conditions can be treated medically.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Meelin: sxc.hu
