Brain health involves the optimal functioning of the brain across various domains, including cognitive function, motor skills, sensory function, and emotional health. There are many different types of brain diseases.
Dementia is characterized by a decline in overall thinking abilities, affecting problem-solving skills, memory, language, and other factors that make daily life more challenging. Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia. Depression is a mental health disorder that negatively impacts how you feel, think, and act. A stroke occurs when the blood vessels carrying oxygenated blood and nutrients to the brain are blocked by a clot or rupture. Many other types of brain diseases can significantly affect overall brain health.
Top factors contributing to decreased brain health include high blood pressure, kidney disease, elevated glucose and cholesterol levels, alcohol use, poor diet, lack of physical activity, smoking, poor social engagement, and high stress.
Ways to boost brain health and slow mental aging include exercising regularly, getting regular mental stimulation, eating a balanced diet, optimizing gut health, managing stress levels, staying socially engaged, limiting alcohol consumption, considering brain-boosting supplements and balancing hormone levels.
