The study looked at the brain and lifestyle of the participants. This shows that the first damage in the brain is related to the lifestyle of people. “That can also be seen in lower scores on tests of the thinking ability,” says researcher Sebastian Köhler of Maastricht University.
Limit damage
He thinks that this incipient damage can be slowed down by adjusting the lifestyle. “If you look at the lifestyle in middle age and improve it where necessary, you can still limit the damage and reduce it. If you implement a healthy lifestyle in all areas, there would be forty percent less dementia – although that is perhaps a little Utopian.”
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If people want to improve their lifestyle, it is important to do so in small steps. “That way you will all have moments of success and you will be less likely to drop out. You have to overcome, as I say, your ‘inner schweinhund’. He is lazy and stays in the comfort zone.”
Do’s en don’ts
But what exactly is the best to eat, and what should you leave out? “You should eat less sweets, biscuits and meat, while you should eat more whole grains and vegetables and fruit. This is also called the MIND diet,” says Ondine Nieuwerth-van de Rest, a nutrition expert at Wageningen University.
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Other diseases
It is not only dementia that can be prevented by living a better life. An (un)healthy lifestyle also has an influence on other diseases. For example, in diabetes, cardiovascular disease and various types of cancer.
Source: brain research.nl
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Leafy greens
According to her, it is important to eat enough green leafy vegetables, such as endive and cabbages. “In addition, blueberries and strawberries are good. They may be too expensive for people with little money, but this fruit does not always have to be fresh. Sometimes frozen is even better, because you don’t know how long fresh products have been in the supermarket. before you buy them. Canned fruit and vegetables are also fine to eat. As long as you eat them.”
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Because it is difficult for many people to change their lifestyle on their own, researcher Sebastian Köhler recommends doing it together with friends or family. “We are now going to set up a study in which we divide 1200 people into groups and try to move in the right direction for two years. We want to start with the first group in October. Sign Up.”
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Things that are good for the brain:
- healthy food
- enough exercise
- do not smoke
- staying active with your brain (learning new things)
- social contact
Bad for the brain are:
- excessive use of alcohol
- high bloodpressure
- depression
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