Simple Advice for Healthy Aging

(Newswire.net — August 22, 2017) Darien, CONNECTICUT — Have you started to notice that commercials are starting to speak to your fears? I have and quite frankly, I am scared to look at the future as a senior citizen. Spend an afternoon visiting a relative in a heightened state of dementia and you will be scared as well. Rather then waiting for dementia to set in, there are a number of steps you can implement now to help minimize or prevent dementia.

 The first thing you can do for yourself is to give up or scale back your use of alcohol. Sure there are reports that say moderate alcohol use can offer a few health benefits. However, the benefits do not outweigh the negative health effects of alcohol use, especially if you are concerned about diminished brain capacity in your golden years. If you can’t get past the idea of moderation when it comes to alcohol, put this down and turn the TV back on.

 Since you are still reading, here are some supplements that can help you keep your wits about you: vitamin B12, vitamin D, and DHEA. How hard is it to include these supplements into your daily diet?  When it comes to B12, it cannot hurt to take 50 mcg’s, which may seem like a lot. Consider that B12 is water soluable, meaning that your urine will be brighter yellow so it does not stay in your system. More is better, your aging brain will thank you later.  What is DHEA you ask? DHEA stands for dehydroepiandrosterone, which is is a hormone that’s naturally produced by the adrenal glands. Here are just a few benefits of DHEA, it lowers inflamation, it protects against depression, cognitive decline and mood swings, decreases sexual dysfunction and can improve libido. Do you need any more reasons to take it? You will need about 400 milligrams a day. Vitamin D gets a little tricky because there are several types. The most beneficial is D3, also known as cholecalciferol. There is conflicting advice as to how much is enough Vitamin D to get. The range is 500 I.U. to 2000 I.U. depending on who’s advice you are most comfortable with. You can produce Vitamin D naturally with sun exposure, in moderation of course. Is it going to hurt you by taking these supplements? Probably not.

 But wait there is more, good sleep can help your brain in so many ways. Here is a major consideration, your brain cleans itself out at night. Glial cells are contracted and a lot of brain waste is pumped out via glymphatic drainage during deep restful sleep. An aging brain needs to get the garbage out on a nightly basis. Try and get more rest, this is where less alcohol helps . Everyone sleeps better when they do not drink. I have provided just a few things you can do for yourself right now to help your brain. So put down that drink and go to bed and pray that you keep your marbles. Now is the time to think about healthy living.