renee.t.edge Recent evidence has linked heightened levels of inflammation to increased risk of cognitive decline and dementia. A recent research study showed that in comparison with participants with the lowest levels of inflammation markers, those with the highest levels experienced an 8 percent steeper decline in thinking and memory skills over the course of the study. The group with the highest C-reactive protein levels had a 12 percent steeper decline in these skills than the group with the lowest levels.
People who have chronic inflammation in middle age have an increased risk for developing memory and thinking problems in the following decades. If inflammation is not controlled by innate physiologic checks and balances, chronic inflammation goes undetected creating havoc until the damage is widespread enough to surface as memory loss and cognitive decline. The things you do in your 40’s and 50’s will impact your memory and brain function in your 60’s and 70’s.
It may be that this is related to an infection in the brain. Beta-amyloid is an antimicrobial peptide produced in response to viral or bacterial infection in the brain. Beta-amyloid accumulates to produce a hard, insoluble plaque in the brain.
A few good things you can do for your body are:
* SLEEP-Sleeping well protects your brain and body from inflammation by avoiding the pro-inflammatory activity that occurs in the presence of poor, dysregulated sleep.
* STRESS- Reduce stress using mindfulness or meditation.
*EXERCISE-It only takes 20 minutes to reap the anti-inflammatory benefits of exercise.
*NUTRITION-Clean up the plate and the cup. Avoid these foods that are certain to dial up the inflammation: sugary drinks, refined carbs, trans fats, highly processed foods, aspartame, alcohol, and fish high in mercury.
What you eat can make a difference in how your body feels!
Follow along as we continue to explore diseases caused by inflammation.
Not sure if you may be dealing with Chronic Inflammation? Check out this prior blog post for more information- The Destruction of Chronic Inflammation
