1 in 10 people over the age of 65 will succumb to Alzheimer’s or Dementia diseases. These cognitive-impairment diseases take lively and coherent people and leave them confused and dazed, needing help from family members or assisted living programs. It’s extremely difficult for family members to see people they love become someone so different and unrecognizable because of how their mannerisms and personalities change. However, while there is no cure for these mental diseases, there are things you can do to prevent your risk of getting Alzheimer’s or Dementia. One idea is to take memory loss supplements to keep your brain fresh and focused as you age. These extra boosts may be just what you need to combat the irreversible effects of aging. However, as the saying goes, you are what you eat. Therefore, eating certain foods for an extended period of time may end up causing you to get one of these diseases, too. Here are two items you should avoid consuming to keep your mind healthy.
1. Artificial Sweeteners
With any food, natural is just better. It’s much healthier to eat fresh veggies compared to canned veggies because of all the excess salt and preservatives. The same goes for your sugar. While there are many sugar-free sweeteners, these actually do more harm than good to your body. While you do have to monitor your sweet tooth, a splurge here and there won’t hurt. However, artificial sweeteners do hurt. If you consume processed sugars, you run the risk of severely impairing your brain’s cognitive ability, especially if you eat these sweeteners regularly. Don’t fall prey to the advertising schemes about losing weight faster because you’re eliminating sugar. Here are some natural sweeteners to try the next time you need to satisfy a sugar craving.
2. Nicotine
Thankfully, nicotine and cigarettes have been widely put down and removed from mainstream society as cool and okay to use. Health officials have really hammered down on the long-lasting and lethal effects nicotine can have on your body’s organs. Your brain is no exception to this. When you have nicotine in your system, it severely damages your brain because it hinders oxygen, glucose and blood from flowing to your brain. The brain needs all three of these to function at its highest, most astute level. Smoking for an extended period of time also shrinks your capillaries which are what keep the neurotransmitters in your brain moving along. Nicotine is an addictive drug, so the more you smoke, chew or jewel, the harder it is to cut the habit. If you or someone you know is currently struggling with nicotine addiction, there are ways to get help. Check out these resources for how you can quit smoking and get your life and health back on track.
Both processed sugar and nicotine are prime examples as to why eating fresh and natural is a much better choice. You can keep your brain functioning at a high level for years to come by avoiding these foods and focusing on your health in mental, emotional and physical ways.
