Irrespective of your APOE4 status (cue Chris Hemsworth), you can absolutely slow your memory decline by incorporating these 5 lifestyle changes now. Science says so.
Abiding by six health-conscious lifestyle behaviors appears to be linked to a decelerated decline in memory among older adults, as indicated by a substantial population-based study.
The researchers discovered that:1. Maintaining a healthy diet2. Engaging in cognitive activities3. Regular physical exercise4. Refraining from smoking5. And abstaining from alcohol were all notably associated with a slowdown in cognitive decline, irrespective of APOE4 genetic status.
Upon accounting for health and socioeconomic variables, the investigators observed that each individual healthy behavior was correlated with a memory decline slower than the average rate over a decade. Among these behaviors, maintaining a healthy diet demonstrated the strongest protective effect, followed by cognitive activities and physical exercise.
Dr. Jianping Jia and the team from the Innovation Center for Neurological Disorders and the Department of Neurology at Xuan Wu Hospital, Capital Medical University in Beijing, China, emphasized in their report, “A healthy lifestyle is linked to a decelerated memory decline, even in the presence of the APOE4 allele.”
They further emphasized the potential significance of their findings, stating, “This study might provide crucial information for safeguarding older adults against memory decline.”
The study, published online on January 25 in The BMJ, underscores the role of a healthy lifestyle in preventing memory decline among aging individuals.
The investigators noted that age-related memory decline is not necessarily indicative of dementia but can be a manifestation of forgetfulness, which may be reversible or stabilized instead of progressing to a pathological state.
Various factors impact memory, including aging, the APOE4 genotype, chronic diseases, and lifestyle choices. The study underscores the increasing attention given to lifestyle as a modifiable behavior affecting memory.
The researchers conducted a longitudinal study known as the China Cognition and Aging Study from 2009 to 2019, assessing genetic risk alongside lifestyle factors. The participants, numbering 29,072 with an average age of 72.23 years, were required to have normal cognitive function initially. Those progressing to mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia during the study were excluded.
Global cognitive function was assessed using the Mini–Mental State Examination, while memory function was evaluated using the World Health Organization/University of California–Los Angeles Auditory Verbal Learning Test.This is an area I’m super dooper interested in, and can most definitely help you with in-clinic.I’m currently seeing clients in student clinic (under the supervision and guidance of a qualified Naturopath), for $25. Get in contact with me via my contact page on this website if you’re keen to find out more.Love, Erin, x