With the number of people living with dementia in the UK expected to rocket in the coming years, experts are urging people to do certain things to protect their brains.
Around one million people currently suffer from the debilitating brain disorder and that figures is expected to climb to 1.6million by 2050. However, advances in medical science are leading to earlier detection of the disease and associated conditions like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
And, the Mirror reports, experts have found there are things people can do to ward off the devastating condition.
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Professor Paul Matthews, head of brain sciences at Imperial College and director of the UK Dementia Institute, says the genes we inherit are not the only risk factor in developing the disease. He said: “Lifestyle accounts for about one-third of all cases."
With that in mind, he has shared some helpful dos and don'ts on how to reduce his risk of dementia – and one is an item commonly consumed at breakfast time. The professor said coffee could be extremely beneficial because of its polyphenols.
The compounds, which are also found in foods such as blueberries, can reduce inflammation. Prof Matthews says he always has a couple of strong cups each day so put the kettle on and enjoy a brew of polyphenols when you can.
He also recommends getting plenty of fresh air, citing that people in cities who are exposed to higher levels of pollutants, appear to have a higher likelihood of dementia – though that doesn't mean you need to move away.
The professor added: “It’s not quite as simple as all people in urban areas have a higher incidence of dementia. There are various factors that distinguish each person.”
Binge-drinking is a no, as alcohol consumption is associated with smaller brain size, and people should exercise twice a week.
This is because there is growing evidence that signals from muscles and the immune system influence the brain. Prof Matthews goes to the gym twice a week and also recommends long walks at the weekend.
You should also protect your head, for example, wearing a helmet while riding a bike – and do things such as crosswords and puzzles to "work the grey matter".
The professor also recommends getting plenty of sleep, eating plenty of Omega-3 and fibre, and avoiding smoking altogether.
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