Health · Fitness & Nutrition · 5 hrs ago
Everyday habits may support memory and long-term brain health
A neurologist at New York University outlined everyday habits that may support cognitive health as people age.
They include regular aerobic exercise, such as brisk walking or swimming, along with strength training.
The World Health Organization recommends adults get at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity each week, or 75 minutes of vigorous activity, plus two strength-training sessions.
Masurkar also recommends a heart-healthy eating pattern, including vegetables, fruit, whole grains, legumes and fish.
Research cited in the story linked Mediterranean-style eating with lower chances of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, but this does not show that the diet prevents either condition.
Persistent short sleep was linked to higher dementia risk in a study that followed nearly 8,000 adults for 25 years; sleeping six hours or less was associated with 30% higher risk than sleeping seven hours.
The advice matters because exercise, food and sleep can affect memory, attention and other brain functions over time.
Everyday habits involving exercise, diet, sleep and stress management may support memory, attention and long-term cognitive health.
Neurologist Arjun V. Masurkar said measures that benefit cardiovascular health may also benefit the brain.
Recommendations include aerobic and strength exercise, a heart-healthy eating pattern and adequate sleep.
The World Health Organization recommends adults get at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous activity each week.
A 25-year study of nearly 8,000 adults linked persistent sleep of six hours or less with a 30% higher dementia risk than sleeping seven hours.
- Who
- Adults seeking to support memory and long-term cognitive health.
- What
- The article presents six routine changes that may support memory, attention and cognitive health.
- When
- The recommendations concern everyday habits over time. A publication date is not stated in the article text.
- Where
- Not stated.
- Why
- These habits may help preserve cognitive abilities; the article says measures that benefit cardiovascular health may also benefit the brain.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
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- Aerobic activity
- At least 150 minutes of moderate activity or 75 minutes of vigorous activity per week, according to WHO recommendations
- Strength exercise
- WHO recommends two days per week involving the major muscle groups
- Sleep and dementia
- Persistent sleep of six hours or less was linked to a 30% higher dementia risk than seven hours
- Mediterranean diet
- A review of 21 studies linked it to 11% lower odds of dementia and 27% lower odds of Alzheimer’s disease
- Expert
- Arjun V. Masurkar, associate professor of neurology at New York University’s Grossman School of Medicine