Health experts at one of the world’s top universities have explained how making six changes – including to your diet – could reduce the risk of diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, MS or having a stroke. The experts at Harvard Medical School in the US have explained a concept called cognitive reserve and how it is linked to slashing the risk of such conditions.
They said it could be thought of as “your brain’s ability to improvise and find alternate ways of getting a job done. It reflects how agile your brain is in pulling in skills and capacities to solve problems and cope with challenges. Cognitive reserve is developed by a lifetime of education and curiosity”.
The idea originated in the late 1980s, the experts said, when researchers described individuals with no apparent symptoms of dementia who were nonetheless found at autopsy to have brain changes consistent with advanced Alzheimer’s disease. They had shown no symptoms of the disease because they had a large enough cognitive reserve to offset the damage and continue to function as normal.
The expert added: “Since then, research has shown that people with greater cognitive reserve are better able to stave off symptoms of degenerative brain changes associated with dementia or other brain diseases, such as Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, or a stroke. A more robust cognitive reserve can also help you function better for longer if you’re exposed to unexpected life events, such as stress, surgery, or toxins in the environment. Such circumstances demand extra effort from your brain—similar to requiring a car to engage another gear.”
Six ways to boost your brain and stave off dementia
Stressing that good brain health means lifestyle changes, researchers at Harvard Medical School recommend six “cornerstones” to brain health. They made it clear that to achieve the best results, all six things needed to be done together.
Eat a plant-based diet
Exercise regularly
Get enough sleep
Manage your stress
Nurture social contacts
Continue to challenge your brain
The researchers concluded: “These factors are equal parts of a cohesive plan – they don’t work in isolation. Simply eating more fibre or adding a morning walk to your routine isn’t enough to forestall mental decline. Instead, exercise, diet, sleep, stress management, social interaction, and mental stimulation work in concert to yield results.”
More information can be found in A Guide to Cognitive Fitness, a Special Health Report from Harvard Medical School.