Alzheimer's disease is not a disease of aging as many people still think. According to experts, the foundations for cognitive decline and nerve cell damage can begin to form decades before symptoms appear.
Neurologist Robert Love (working in Florida, USA), specializing in Alzheimer's disease prevention, shared 3 leading risk factors that can accelerate the aging process of the brain, including vitamin D deficiency, poor sleep and chronic inflammation.
1. Vitamin D deficiency
Vitamin D plays an important role in protecting nerve cells and supporting blood circulation to the brain. However, most people today are deficient in this vitamin due to low exposure to sunlight.
Just spending about 20 minutes a day in the sun or supplementing vitamin D has helped your brain function better and significantly reduced the risk of Alzheimers, says Robert Love.
2. Not getting enough sleep
Sleep is the time when the brain self-healthy, eliminates toxins and arranges memories. When you sleep poorly, neurological waste gradually accumulates, causing long-term damage to brain cells.
S sleep is like a natural cleansing system of the brain. When you don't get enough sleep, your brain can't eliminate amyloid protein, which is a major factor in Alzheimer's disease, Robert explained.
He recommends sleeping at least 7-8 hours a night, avoiding electronic devices before bedtime to maintain a stable circadian rhythm.
3. Chronic inflammation
Inflammation in the body, especially inflammation of the nervous system, can go silently for 20-30 years before symptoms of dementia appear.
Robert Love emphasized: Inflammation comes from stress, a diet high in sugar, ultra-processed foods and a sedentary lifestyle. Reducing inflammation is the best way to protect the brain.
He recommends that everyone should maintain a healthy diet, exercise regularly and spend time on positive relationships to keep the young brain long.
According to Robert Love, preventing Alzheimer's is not just a concern for the elderly, but a lifelong journey of brain care. Small changes every day such as getting enough sleep, eating properly, and getting in the sun regularly can make a big difference for your brain in the next 30 years.
(The article is for reference only, not a replacement for professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor if you have health questions).
