Research scientists in the UK have recently identified a vulnerable area in the brain which over time is subject to a number of adverse events which increase dementia risk. These include blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, weight, alcohol consumption, smoking, depressive mood, inflammation, pollution, hearing, sleep, socialization, diet, physical activity, and education. Three of these; traffic-related air pollution and alcohol consumption have an enhanced detrimental effect.
In some senses this is good news as diabetics can regulate their blood sugars with current technologies and routine blood tests can inform us if we have high blood sugars which we can control. Consuming cruciferous vegetables like kale, spinach, cabbage, broccoli and broccoli sprouts can help to eliminate the noxious chemicals generated by exposure to car fumes. Limiting alcohol, which is not only harmful to our brains but also weakens our immune systems and compromises our hormone function is always a practice I’ve advocated in this newsletter.
