Latest news with #cognitiveHealth
The Sun
09-07-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Eating more COPPER could help protect against dementia, say scientists – the 5 cheapest ways to get more in your diet
WITH 152.8 million people estimated to have dementia by 2050, it's vital people do what they can to prevent cognitive impairment. And eating plenty of foods from a specific food group could be part of that, say researchers. 1 Dietary choices can influence the risk of developing dementia. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables and healthy fats, like those found in a Mediterranean-style diet, is generally associated with a reduced dementia risk. While diets high in processed foods and certain types of meat may increase a person's likelihood of developing the disease. But now a new study has suggested specifically boosting copper in the diet could support sharper thinking in later life. Copper is vital for several physiological functions within the human body. It's essential for energy production, connective tissue formation, and maintaining healthy blood vessels, nerves, and the immune system. But until now, the relationship between cognition and copper remains poorly understood. The study published in Scientific Reports involved 2,420 participants with a mean age of 69.3 years and a BMI of 29.2. Dietary copper intake was positively associated with cognitive test scores. And test scores increased with an increase in copper intake. Signs of dementia that might be missed These associations remained significant after adjusting for various covariates, such as age, gender, race-ethnicity, smoking status, alcohol status, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease history. Copper's potential brain benefits may stem from its role in making acetylcholine - a key neurotransmitter for learning and memory. However, the researchers noted further analyses would need to be carried out to corroborate these findings. Find out the most affordable sources of dietary copper below... Cheapest sources of dietary copper Legumes - lentils, chickpeas, adzuki beans, baked beans, and kidney beans Dark leafy greens - spinach, kale, and Swiss chard Potatoes and sweet potatoes Whole grains - quinoa, oats, whole wheat spaghetti, wholemeal bread, and brown basmati rice Nuts and seeds- almonds, cashews, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, walnuts, Brazil nuts, sunflower seeds Other dietary sources of copper: Shellfish Organ meats Dark chocolate Adults aged 19 to 64 need 1.2mg of copper a day. You should be able to get all the copper you need from your daily diet. Other studies have suggested more potential benefits of copper, like improved cardiovascular health and bone density. Copper is involved in the function of enzymes that help reduce oxidative stress, which can contribute to cardiovascular disease. Some studies suggest higher dietary copper intake may be associated with lower rates of cardiovascular disease. But other studies have found mixed results. And a 2015 study found post- menopausal women with low bone density had low copper levels, and that copper supplementation might be beneficial.
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
7 Sneaky Signs You Could Have Cognitive Decline, According to Experts
Reviewed by Dietitian Jessica Ball, M.S., RDCognitive lapses aren't always linked to aging or dementia. Factors like stress, anxiety, and multitasking can mimic or contribute. Incorporating brain-healthy foods, staying physically active and engaging in mentally stimulating activities are ways to slow cognitive decline. Early consultation with a healthcare professional is crucial for proper diagnosis and happens from time to time: You start telling a story, only to lose your train of thought halfway through. Or you walk into a room and can't remember what you went in there to do. Mental glitches like these happen to everyone and are understandably scary, but aren't necessarily a sign of cognitive decline. "The feeling of your brain short-circuiting is often more likely due to psychological processes," says Sarah Garcia-Beaumier, Ph.D. Increases in stress, distractions, multitasking, anxiety or depression can be contributors. "A common consideration we have to make clinically is whether cognitive symptoms are due to early dementia, or rather due to a depressive or anxiety disorder," Garcia-Beaumier says. Cognitive decline typically involves a worsening of performance in areas such as memory, attention or language. Common signs include forgetting to call someone or struggling to recall the right word. When those symptoms appear much more than they did previously, so much so that others are starting to notice, "that's typically an early red flag for cognitive decline beyond what we expect for the normal aging process," says Garcia-Beaumier. Normal aging may cause minor delays in memory retrieval, like struggling to remember a name but recalling it later. These are not signs of dementia or cognitive impairment, per Thomas Hammond, M.D. "Forgetting conversations or important appointments, or feeling lost in familiar places, are more worrisome and concerning for significant early cognitive impairment,' Hammond explained. Garcia-Beaumier notes that some individuals with mild cognitive impairment may stabilize or improve over time. Still, unresolved psychological distress or untreated health issues could increase the risk of dementia, making it crucial to address potential warning signs early. The corticolimbic system of the brain modulates the experience of anxiety. "It also happens to be the same area of the brain that helps with processing speed, attention, planning, judgment, organization and lots of thinking skills," says Garcia-Beaumier. "So if there's a change in this area of the brain due to stress or anxiety, these cognitive skills are also affected." This overlap in brain pathways, along with the larger amount of resources devoted to modulating your stress and anxiety due to your body constantly shifting between survival and recuperation mode, will lead to a varying array of cognitive deficits. These pathways are also crucial in processing information—if you can no longer pay attention to things, your brain isn't going to be able to encode them and retain them for later memory. Cognitive decline manifests itself in almost all aspects of complex daily tasks, especially our language. "Even a simple undertaking, like naming a kitchen appliance, engages our brain networks extensively, making it a sensitive indicator of early decline," says Aubry Alvarez-Bakker, Ph.D.. A strong sign can be found in moments when you might forget a simple, specific word you're looking for, so you try to describe it instead. Over time, you might also start having difficulty keeping up with conversations, which can lead to anxiety in social situations. The specific mechanism behind why this happens isn't fully known, but research shows that language decline often originates in the left side of the brain. "We also know that low BDNF production (a protein produced by our nervous system that's crucial for the production of new brain cells) means fewer new cells to help us carry on activity across our brain," says Alvarez-Bakker. As we age, production of this protein naturally declines, so our body relies heavily on our environment to create BDNF to "fertilize" our brain and allow new cells to form. "Among the best foods to consume to boost BDNF in our body—and subsequently ward off cognitive decline—are blueberries, turmeric, green tea and dark chocolate," says Alvarez-Bakker. Because apathy is a common symptom of severe burnout, it's easy to pay no mind that it can also be a symptom of cognitive decline. "It's actually the most common symptom and perhaps the most overlooked," says Alvarez-Bakker. A sudden loss of interest in activities you used to love, or a willingness to throw in the towel easily, is a common symptom of dementia. You might lose interest in reading books, gardening or many other activities you used to enjoy. You might also find things that used to be easy for you to accomplish are now overwhelming, or that you avoid complex tasks or projects entirely. "This is unfortunate because withdrawing from stimulation is known to speed up the decline process," says Alvarez-Bakker. "Luckily, our lifestyle can help counteract this symptom to an extent." When apathy creeps in, the best step to take is to get personal by integrating things you deeply enjoy—music, art, sports, reminiscing—into daily activities that will boost your participation in life, and in turn, stimulation. Subtle personality changes are an often-missed sign of cognitive decline, primarily because of how easily they can be blamed on chronic stress (say, becoming easily angered or swearing when that isn't a regular part of your vocabulary). You might also find yourself withdrawing from social interactions and activities—and when you are around others, you may not participate in discussions, but instead stay quiet. "These are symptoms which are often written off as an individual being shy," says Hammond. "However, the person who was once talkative and garrulous will often become quiet and a wallflower as an early sign of developing cognitive decline." Regardless if stress is the cause or a variable that's augmenting the cognitive decline, "any treatment hoping to prevent or reduce cognitive decline needs to incorporate stress management," says, Isaac Tourgeman, Ph.D. Incessantly ruminating and worrying keeps your fight-or-flight response in overdrive, and symptoms of chronic stress can mimic cognitive decline, such as forgetfulness and inattention. "Uncontrolled, toxic thinking has the potential to create a state of low-grade inflammation across the brain and body over time, which can impact our cognitive health and ability to remember or recall information," says Caroline Leaf, Ph.D. "If left unmanaged, this kind of chronic cognitive upset can progress into varying levels of cognitive decline." Resolution of the underlying causes of your rumination and worry is paramount to improving current and preventing future symptoms of cognitive decline. "Cognitive dulling is a common feature associated with general medical illnesses, such as the flu, urinary tract infection and gastroenteritis," says Hammond. "Metabolic stress caused by minor infection will often lead to a transient cognitive decline," Hammond added. Other conditions can also lead to cognitive decline, including sleep disorders (such as sleep apnea). "Similar to psychological distress, sometimes symptoms can be resolved if it's due to one of these conditions," says Garcia-Beaumier. "But if left untreated, it does increase a person's risk of dementia down the line." Depression can result in what's called pseudodementia, where depression essentially masquerades as cognitive impairment. "Symptoms present as forgetfulness, difficulty with attention and lowered energy and motivation," says Tourgeman. This is when it's especially important to consult with your doctor to ensure the right diagnosis is made and proper treatment given. "We all experience cognitive glitches to a certain extent when going through the pressures of life, but a good rule of thumb is if anyone who knows you has noticed a consistent increase of these symptoms over time, it may be a sign that you're experiencing cognitive decline," says Leaf. Usually the person experiencing symptoms is the last to be aware of the decline, so it's important to be open to feedback and proactive about taking action. "While we currently aren't able to change our genes, we can influence how our environment impacts them," says Tourgeman. "A healthy lifestyle—eating a brain-healthy diet (like the MIND Diet), exercising regularly, reducing stress and distractions, maintaining a sense of utility and connectedness—can all go a long way." And no healthy lifestyle with the goal of avoiding or improving cognitive decline would be complete without a wide range of activities that keep your brain engaged. "Playing brain games on your phone will only go so far, though, mostly because you'll only get really good at that one thing," says Garcia-Beaumier. "Doing lots of activities that you enjoy and that challenge you is best." Things like reading, playing games, learning new skills and dancing can all contribute to optimal cognitive health when done in conjunction with other healthy habits. "Any time someone notices cognitive changes, such as memory not being as good or the brain feeling slower or foggy, they should check in with their doctor," says Garcia-Beaumier. "But it's especially important if family or friends are also noticing issues or if the issues make it hard to fulfill daily responsibilities." You can try to work on decreasing stress and improving how you take care of any other health conditions to see if that also clears up any cognitive issues, but there isn't a definitive way to know whether your symptoms are due to stress, psychological issues, another health condition or cognitive decline without talking to a healthcare provider and possibly seeing specialists for further testing. "Even getting some basic tests, early before any issues arise, can allow your doctor to compare your current cognitive performance to possible cognitive issues in the future," says Garcia-Beaumier. The occasional mental lapse, like misplacing your keys or forgetting the name of a person you just met, is a normal part of life and not necessarily a cause for concern. These fleeting moments of forgetfulness are often tied to stress, lack of sleep, or even simply being preoccupied with too many things at once. However, when these cognitive issues become consistent, noticeable to others and begin to interfere with daily life, they may signal something more significant, such as cognitive decline. Taking proactive steps to manage stress, maintain overall health, and engage in stimulating mental and physical activities can help you protect your brain's function and resilience. Understanding the difference between normal cognitive aging and more concerning symptoms is key to addressing issues early on. Consult a healthcare professional if you or those close to you observe persistent changes in memory, attention, or overall behavior. Seeking support and adopting lifestyle habits that prioritize brain health can not only slow potential decline but also improve your quality of life. By staying informed and proactive, you give yourself the best chance at maintaining your cognitive health and vitality for years to come. Read the original article on EATINGWELL
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
There's a Critical Thing We Can All Do to Hold Alzheimer's Symptoms at Bay
Deep sleep could forestall the declines in brain health that can eventually lead to Alzheimer's disease, the most common form of dementia. In their study of 62 older, cognitively healthy adults, researchers from the University of California (UC) Berkeley, Stanford University, and UC Irvine in the US found individuals with brain changes associated with Alzheimer's performed better on memory function tests as they got more deep sleep. This was irrespective of education and physical activity, two factors along with social connection known to contribute to cognitive resilience in older age. Those with similar Alzheimer's-linked changes who failed to get as much deep sleep didn't fare quite as well on the same tests. By comparison, sleep made little difference to those individuals with few deposits. Taken together, the results, which were published in May 2023, imply having a generous amount of solid shut-eye could help support the decline in memory that sets in as dementia begins to take hold. Watch the following video for a summary of the study: "Think of deep sleep almost like a life raft that keeps memory afloat, rather than memory getting dragged down by the weight of Alzheimer's disease pathology," said University of California (UC) Berkeley neuroscientist Matthew Walker. "This is especially exciting because we can do something about it. There are ways we can improve sleep, even in older adults." The study echoes previous research which has found a build-up of amyloid-beta proteins in the brains of people with disrupted sleep. But poor sleep is both a risk factor for and a symptom of Alzheimer's disease, making it tricky to tease apart cause and effect. Likewise, clumpy amyloid-beta proteins might only be a sign of Alzheimer's disease, not its root cause. Related: Even so, levels of amyloid-beta proteins are commonly used as a marker of Alzheimer's disease, as research suggests they – and another protein called tau – can start clogging up brain cells decades before symptoms of the disease arise. Past research from Walker's group found significant levels of amyloid-beta aggregating in the brains of older adults can disrupt deep sleep – also known as non-rapid eye movement slow wave sleep – and impair memory function. But some folk appear to stave off the decline that comes with Alzheimer's disease, even when levels of amyloid-beta proteins are relatively high. To find out why, Walker and colleagues monitored participants' brain waves as they slept, and then asked them to complete a memory test the next day. Among those whose brain scans revealed similarly high levels of beta-amyloid deposits, getting a good night's sleep seemed to make a critical difference in cognitive function. This effect was only seen when the researchers looked specifically at non-rapid eye movement slow wave sleep, and not at other sleep wave frequencies or sleep stages. Longer-term studies in older adults are needed to test whether increasing deep sleep over a number of years can actually help preserve a person's cognitive function in that time, even as levels of amyloid-beta increase. This research adds to scores of studies suggesting that sleep could be a modifiable risk factor for Alzheimer's disease, one that could potentially forestall molecular changes by giving the brain time to clean up waste products that accumulate during the day. It also points to sleep quality being important. "With a certain level of brain pathology, you're not destined for cognitive symptoms or memory issues," UC Berkeley neuroscientist and lead author Zsófia Zavecz said of the study findings in 2023. Although people may display molecular changes indicating a progression toward Alzheimer's disease, Zavecz says their findings suggest lifestyle factors can help buffer against those effects. "One of those factors is sleep and, specifically, deep sleep," she said. The study, though small, also hints at why getting good sleep naturally might be a better option than taking sleeping pills to get some shut-eye. Other research shows users of sleeping pills appear to have lower levels of amyloid proteins in their cerebrospinal fluid, which washes the brain clean at night. But these medications come with side effects; they may also lull people into shallow bouts of sleep rather than deep sleep phases. Instead, to set yourself up for a good night's sleep, Zavecz suggests cutting out coffee late in the day, doing some exercise, avoiding screen time, and taking a hot shower before bed. While you snooze, rest assured scientists are working hard to figure out the knotty problems of Alzheimer's disease, which affects millions of people worldwide. The study has been published in BMC Medicine. A version of this article was first published in May 2023. Ozempic Alternative Ditches The Needle And One Major Side Effect A Simple Change To Your Evening Routine Could Help You Exercise More 'Sky-High' Levels of Alzheimer's Protein Found in Newborns
Yahoo
24-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Study: Eating strawberries could prevent dementia, researchers say
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — You've probably heard the saying, 'An apple a day keeps the doctor away,' but how about strawberries? A recent study by researchers at San Diego State University suggests eating more strawberries could fend off dementia. More Health News Researchers studied 35 older adults in four visits over the course of five months and looked at whether consuming more strawberries daily improved their cognitive function and cardiovascular health. Before each visit, the participants were told not to eat or drink overnight for at least 10 hours and avoid alcohol, caffeine and strenuous exercise. They were then told to consume 26 grams of freeze-dried strawberry powder (equivalent to two cups of fresh strawberries) mixed with about 8 ounces of water for eight weeks. Then, they repeated the process with a control powder that mimicked the strawberry powder's flavor and macronutrients. According to the study, which was published in the journal Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases, the participants' cognitive processing speed improved after consuming the strawberry powder drink. They also had lowered blood pressure, the results showed. The benefits of strawberries were linked to phytochemicals that play a role in reducing oxidative stress and inflammation, researchers stated. The study was conducted by Kristin Delaney, Michelle Tsang, Mark Kern, Vernon Uganiza Rayo, Nathaniel Jason, Mee Young Hong, Changqi Liu and Shirin Hooshmand of the School of Exercise and Nutritional Sciences at SDSU. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Daily Mail
22-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
How eating strawberries each day could help keep dementia at bay
The arrival of the first British strawberries of the year is always a treat. But now scientists have shown that as well as satisfying our tastebuds, they could help to ward off dementia too. Research has revealed that the fruit can boost the speed at which older people's brains process information. Age-related decline in cognitive processing speed is known to be a symptom of dementia – a disease which affects nearly 900,000 in the UK. The findings come as Britain prepares to enjoy one of its best strawberry crops in years. Shoppers have been told to expect giant berries twice the normal size after weeks of dry, sunny weather boosted growth. This is welcome news for a country which consumes a whopping 168,000 tons a year. Previous research has already shown that the chemicals known as flavonoids which strawberries contain can bolster heart health. And in the latest study, a team from San Diego State University in the US recruited 35 men and women in their 70s to see if the same effects could be seen in the brain. The scientists gave participants a freeze-dried strawberry powder, made with a handful of fresh berries, to mix in water and drink every day for eight weeks. They then repeated the experiment with a fruit-flavoured powder which contained none of the health-boosting ingredients found in strawberries. Researchers then got the volunteers to perform cognitive tests. They found a marked improvement in the brain's processing speed following consumption of the strawberry powder but little change with the fruit drink. Although there was little improvement in scores for memory tests after consuming strawberries, researchers said the change in processing capacity was significant. Slower processing speed is known to hamper people's driving skills and make financial decisions more difficult. The strawberries also helped to lower blood pressure and led to increased levels of disease-fighting antioxidants in the blood, the results published in journal Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases showed. The researchers said: 'Strawberry consumption may improve cognitive function and there is accumulating support for its effects on brain health.'
