At the very least two-thirds of the 5.8 million People with Alzheimer’s illness are girls. “It’s Time to Act: The Challenges of Alzheimer’s and Dementia for Girls,” a report from AARP and the Girls’s Alzheimer’s Motion, carries a sobering message: Women are far more likely than males to endure from Alzheimer’s — and never simply because girls reside longer. A raft of information element the ways in which girls’s our bodies and brains might predispose them to dementia.
“Crucial discovering has been the invention that Alzheimer’s shouldn’t be a illness of previous age,” says Lisa Mosconi, affiliate director of the Alzheimer’s Prevention Clinic at Weill Cornell Medical Faculty. “The illness begins with damaging modifications within the mind that may occur years, and typically even a long time, earlier than the medical signs emerge.”
That is very true for girls, who develop Alzheimer’s illness sooner than males. “Hormone declines that result in menopause can speed up mind growing older in girls and doubtlessly kick-start the predisposition to Alzheimer’s illness,” Mosconi says.
The upside: Science is revealing methods for girls to forestall Alzheimer’s and different types of dementia. On the subject of meals, the Mediterranean diet — which emphasizes lean protein, significantly fish, entire grains, loads of vegatables and fruits, nuts, seeds, and olive oil — appears to work greatest for girls. “We’ve got proven that the mind of a 60-year-old girl on the Mediterranean food regimen seems 5 years youthful than that of a 50-year-old girl on the Western food regimen,” Mosconi says.
Bodily exercise helps each women and men forestall dementia, although it appears extra helpful for girls. Consistency is vital, significantly for girls after menopause, so it is necessary to discover a pleasurable, sustainable exercise and keep it up. Attempt yoga, Pilates and strolling.
Take a mind well being evaluation, play video games, uncover new recipes and extra with AARP’s Staying Sharp.
This content material is supplied for informational functions solely and isn’t meant to supply any skilled, skilled or specialty recommendation or suggestions. Readers are urged to seek the advice of with their medical suppliers for all questions.
