What you do Now Matters!!!

Lately I have been wondering as I watch older relatives having health problems, and risks, if there is something I can do NOW, to prevent diseases, problems, and risks later in life. One of the biggest diseases has been dementia, which is still on the rise in our country.Dementia is a very expensive disease, between health care, home care, medication, etc, you are spending lots. But research has found that dementia is a life-style disease, which means you can help prevent it. How you manage stress, how active you are and what you eat can all contribute to your risk of dementia. 

• Being Active-Put on those running shoes and get moving! Turns out that the recommendation from the American Heart Association to take 10,000 steps a day isn't just good for your heart: It’s good for your mind as well. A study published this winter in the Annals of Internal Medicine found that participants who exercised in their middle age could reduce their risk of later developing dementia.
• Eating Right-Brain food is good food. Specifically, foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids are great for your brain. Yet another reason to eat salmon and nuts, especially walnuts. Food choices also impact your stroke risk, which can affect your risk of vascular dementia. (Dementia is not just a code word for Alzheimer’s. There are actually different kinds of dementia.) A diet high in sodium, for example, is known to increase your stroke risk. So to minimize that risk, plant some yummy herbs this spring and sprinkle those into your meals instead of reaching for the salt shaker.
• Relax-Take your pick: Maybe it’s yoga or meditation or the New York Times crossword puzzle. Do whatever makes you feel connected and engaged. A growing body of research suggests that leisurely activities that keep you busy, body and mind and help decrease your risk of cognitive decline. Relaxing fun now, health later. That is a win win to me!!

Staying healthy later means being healthy now. Your body only knows what is it feed, and how is used. So being overweight and over-stressed will not only have damage now, but damage later. Its important to get your health, mind, body, and spirit health now, so you can enjoy your life for years to come!!