How can we avoid memory loss, as well as dementia?

Dementia is not normal with aging. It is a disease of cognitive decline where brain cells have been damaged, which causes difficulty communicating with other cells. Dementia is the umbrella of cognitive decline under which several diseases are identified, such as Alzheimer’s. 

3 things to help avoid and restore cognitive decline:

The Heart Health Brain Connection

Every organ of our body needs oxygen and nutrients delivered by a healthy blood flow. Our brain uses about 25% of the oxygen we breathe in. Having good heart and circulation health will lead to good brain health. Anything we can do to enhance heart and circulation fitness will enhance brain fitness.

1. Physical “Get Moving”

Do exercises we enjoy that get our heart rate up and our blood flowing. If you’re not active right now, explore activities and find one or more that you enjoy. Then, make those exercises a regular habit. It is ideal if you involve others and get out in nature. The most important exercise you can do to improve your health is walking. 

Here are some others: 

• Brisk walking
• Jogging
• Swimming
• Biking
• Hiking

Anything that gets us moving and our heart rate up will help; stay active. If you have physical concerns, see a medical practitioner first.

“The most impactful and established way to feed your brain is to exercise. While anything is better than nothing when it comes to movement the more you do, the more your brain will thank you.” (From Bottom Line Health, October 2023, page 7)

If you are not doing at least some exercise, the hardest part is getting started and being consistent. It is helpful to join with a friend or friends with common goals.

2. Vitamin D and  Early-Onset Dementia.

Research has come out from the UK and the Netherlands that identify the deficiency of vitamin D as a risk factor in the development of early-onset dementia. Vitamin D supplementation provided greater protection for women, though it reduced dementia in both sexes.

This is a lifestyle factor that can be corrected not only with supplements, but also by getting out and taking in some sunshine. Avoid midday sun, and take the necessary precautions of sun exposure. It’s just important to get out and soak up some sun.

Some researchers suggest that more research is needed to confirm the vitamin D and dementia connection as some of the research had mixed results. (See Epoch Times, January 19, 2024. Vitamin D Deficiency Linked to High Risk of Early-Onset Dementia. By George Citroner

3. Stop and Smell the Roses.

There is growing evidence that our sense of smell is linked to our thinking and memory. A 2018 study found that olfactory (smell) enrichment improved verbal fluency in Parkinson’s disease. It was found in a study completed in 2021, that three to six months of olfactory stimulation significantly improved cognitive abilities in people with early onset dementia.

This last study used a diffuser that dispersed smell for up to two hours during sleep. Various pleasant orders were used with significant improvement in memory over a six month period of time. This diffuser with oils is now available commercially. 

(See Bottom Line Health, April 2034, p. 4: A New Reason to Stop and Smell the Roses, by Chis IIiades,, MD)

Do it all with one activity — A NATURE HIKE. Here you can take your walk and get some sunshine, and remember to smell the roses and every other pleasant odor. This is my favorite activity, even though it may take travel time and is weather sensitive. 

**Visit my website, goodremembering.com and take the online course to develop your memory skills for everyday living. Students from Junior High through college can increase their learning and memory skills as well. The course manual is the complete course and can be studied along with the live presentation, or on its own.