MensHealth
  • News
  • Health
  • Fitness
  • Sex
  • Nutrition
  • Style
  • Weight Loss
  • Life
  • Podcasts
  • Motoring
  • Video
MensHealth
  • News
  • Health
  • Fitness
  • Sex
  • Nutrition
  • Style
  • Weight Loss
  • Life
  • Podcasts
  • Motoring
  • Video
Bjornsson Deadlifted 1,026 pounds On The Elephant Bar To Win 2020 Arnold Classic
Watch 0:10

Bjornsson Deadlifted 1,026 pounds On The Elephant Bar To Win 2020 Arnold Classic

{headline}

{headline}

A New Hope For Curing Dementia

A New Hope For Curing Dementia

Everyday Ingredient Linked To Reduced Brain Function

Everyday Ingredient Linked To Reduced Brain Function

Massage And Music Therapy Can Help Manage Dementia Symptoms

Massage And Music Therapy Can Help Manage Dementia Symptoms

Want To Improve Memory? Try Doing This While You're Sleeping

Want To Improve Memory? Try Doing This While You're Sleeping

{headline}

{headline}

Want To Excel At Work? You Might Want To Loosen Your Tie

Want To Excel At Work? You Might Want To Loosen Your Tie

The Simple Trick To Tell If You're Brain Is Still Healthy

The Simple Trick To Tell If You're Brain Is Still Healthy

WTF! Your Brain Will Start To Eat Itself If Without Enough Sleep

WTF! Your Brain Will Start To Eat Itself If Without Enough Sleep

{headline}

{headline}

How Your Lifestyle Affects Your Risk Of Dementia

How Your Lifestyle Affects Your Risk Of Dementia

Boost Your Brain With A Food That Is Actually Something You'll Want To Eat

Boost Your Brain With A Food That Is Actually Something You'll Want To Eat

Holding Hands Could Be Your New Go-To Painkiller

Holding Hands Could Be Your New Go-To Painkiller

Anxiety Can Apparently Be A Good Thing, According To Scientists

Anxiety Can Apparently Be A Good Thing, According To Scientists

High Protein Diet Good For The Brain, Says Science

High Protein Diet Good For The Brain, Says Science

Healthy Body, Healthy Mind Say Research

Healthy Body, Healthy Mind Say Research

4 Ways To Boost Memory And Concentration

4 Ways To Boost Memory And Concentration

  1. Home
  2. Health

How To Protect Your Brain

The five practices that will boost your brain health. - by Lottie Dalziel
  • 12 Jun 2018
How To Protect Your Brain
Jose A Thompson

Dementia is the second leading cause of death in Australia, contributing to 5.4% of all deaths in men. In 2018, it is estimated that 191,367 Australian men suffer from dementia with 250 people being diagnosed every day.

The term dementia is used to describe illnesses that cause a loss in memory, intellect, rationality, social skills and physical functioning. There is currently no cure for dementia with more than three-quarters of cognitive decline was accounted for by lifestyle and environmental factors alone.

So why is one of Australia’s biggest threats to men not getting any airtime? Traditionally, dementia is seen as an “older disease” with risk and prevalence significantly increasing after the age of 65. But mounting evidence proves that lifestyle choices can reduce the risk of dementia. It’s time to make changes today to protect your future.

So how do you boost your brain health? Here are our top tips.

1\ Brain fitness

A study published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease found that older adults with poor fitness levels had higher levels of deterioration in comparison with their fitter peers. Exercise helps increase blood and oxygen flow to the brain and has been proven to slow cognitive decline. So don’t snooze through your next alarm and aim to work up a sweat 3-5 times a week for between 30-60 mins.

2\ Nip it in the butt

Smokers are at higher risk of developing heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, cancer and Alzheimer’s. Studies have also shown that smoking increases the risk of cognitive decline. Talk to your GP about how you can nip your smoking habit in the butt early to reduce your risk.

Exercise
Getty

3\ Heart brain connection

It might come as a surprise but there is a lot of research that demonstrates a strong link between heart and brain health. Studies also show that patients with high blood pressure, diabetes and cholesterol are at a high risk of developing dementia later in life. But it’s not all bad news high blood pressure treatment mid-life has been found to reduce the risk of dementia. The Heart Foundation recommends laying off the sugar, salt and saturated fats and loading up to the fruit, vegetables, wholegains and healthy proteins 8.

4\ A healthy social life

Joining a club or team sport, volunteering and hanging out with your friends and family has been seen to help increase cognitive function and boost your brain health. Better yet it has also been linked to improved vascular conditions and mental health.

Taco

5\ Mind games

In the fight against dementia mental wellbeing is just as important to be mentally strong as physical. Research by The Heart Foundation shows that “being physically active, maintaining a lively social life and keeping mentally stimulated can all contribute to reducing the risk of developing dementia.” Reading a book, learning a new language or skill and completing puzzles or crosswords are great ways to challenge the brain.

Your Brain Matters is Dementia Australia’s dementia risk and reduction education program, head to their website for more information. 

Lottie Dalziel
Lottie Dalziel
Lottie Dalziel, is a 4AM riser and coffee-addict who lives and breathes the MH brand. When she isn't reading up on the latest health studies or stalking the fittest celebs on Insta, you can find her by the beach, cooking up a storm or adding to her abundant (some would say out of control) plant collection.

Subscribe Now-

Subscribe Now
Subscribe Now

Subscribe Now-

Subscribe Now
Subscribe Now

Recommended to you

Bjornsson Deadlifted 1,026 pounds On The Elephant Bar To Win 2020 Arnold Classic
Watch 0:10

Bjornsson Deadlifted 1,026 pounds On The Elephant Bar To Win 2020 Arnold Classic

{headline}

{headline}

A New Hope For Curing Dementia

A New Hope For Curing Dementia

Everyday Ingredient Linked To Reduced Brain Function

Everyday Ingredient Linked To Reduced Brain Function

Massage And Music Therapy Can Help Manage Dementia Symptoms

Massage And Music Therapy Can Help Manage Dementia Symptoms

Want To Improve Memory? Try Doing This While You're Sleeping

Want To Improve Memory? Try Doing This While You're Sleeping

{headline}

{headline}

Want To Excel At Work? You Might Want To Loosen Your Tie

Want To Excel At Work? You Might Want To Loosen Your Tie

The Simple Trick To Tell If You're Brain Is Still Healthy

The Simple Trick To Tell If You're Brain Is Still Healthy

WTF! Your Brain Will Start To Eat Itself If Without Enough Sleep

WTF! Your Brain Will Start To Eat Itself If Without Enough Sleep

{headline}

{headline}

How Your Lifestyle Affects Your Risk Of Dementia

How Your Lifestyle Affects Your Risk Of Dementia

Boost Your Brain With A Food That Is Actually Something You'll Want To Eat

Boost Your Brain With A Food That Is Actually Something You'll Want To Eat

Holding Hands Could Be Your New Go-To Painkiller

Holding Hands Could Be Your New Go-To Painkiller

Anxiety Can Apparently Be A Good Thing, According To Scientists

Anxiety Can Apparently Be A Good Thing, According To Scientists

High Protein Diet Good For The Brain, Says Science

High Protein Diet Good For The Brain, Says Science

Healthy Body, Healthy Mind Say Research

Healthy Body, Healthy Mind Say Research

4 Ways To Boost Memory And Concentration

4 Ways To Boost Memory And Concentration

MensHealth
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Terms
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Statement
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Terms
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Statement

Brands

  • Women's Health

Our Network

  • Paragon Media Pty Ltd
© 2021 Are Media PTY LTD
Get more from Men's Health

Magazine Subscription Offer

Subscribe Now-

Shop This Offer
Subscribe Now