Heart-Healthy Lifestyle, Life-Long Healthy Brain

Here at 10almonds, often say “what’s good for your heart is good for your brain” and it’s true, largely because the blood is what nourishes the brain (with oxygen and nutrients), and ultimately takes away detritus that shouldn’t be there (including α-synuclein and β-amyloid clearance, to protect you from Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, respectively).

See also: Brainwashing (but not like that)

So, you cannot have a healthy brain if your blood supply is not healthy (indeed, if you interrupt the blood supply, then the brain will shut down in seconds).

Genes predispose; they don’t predetermine

Or, more colorfully expressed: genes load the gun, but it’s lifestyle that pulls the trigger.

We explored the implications of genetics and lifestyle when it comes to vascular dementia, here:

What’s Your Vascular Dementia Risk? ← this includes the American Heart Association’s risk calculator tool!

So, time for some good news: a very large (n=365,000) study found that a heart-healthy lifestyle can protect your brain, regardless of your genetic risk factors for heart disease.

By that we mean: completely independently of the genetic risk factor.

Now, those with high genetic and lifestyle risk for heart disease also had, by default, a higher chance of getting dementia, especially vascular dementia (for obvious reasons). But those who followed a heart-healthy lifestyle (e.g. eating a heart-healthy diet, staying active, sleeping enough, not smoking, and keeping blood pressure, weight, and cholesterol in check) had a much lower risk of dementia, no matter their genetic risk.

In fact, those with the aforementioned healthy habits cut their risk of vascular dementia by up to 50%.

In short: even if you’re born with a higher risk, your daily choices really can make a big difference for your brain and your heart.

You can read the paper in full here: Genetic and Lifestyle Risks for Coronary Artery Disease and Long-Term Risk of Incident Dementia Subtypes

Want to know more?

If you’d like a simple 5-step plan to better heart health, then here you go:

The S.T.E.P.S. To A Healthier Heart

And if you think the 7 habits focused-on in the study (and the American Heart Association’s “simple 7” risk calculator tool linked further up) are just a bit too simple, then check out this excellent book that we reviewed, that has 100 heart-healthy habits, each of which can improve your heart health, and protect your brain:

Healthy Habits For Your Heart: 100 Simple, Effective Ways to Lower Your Blood Pressure and Maintain Your Heart’s Health – by Dr. Monique Tello

Take care!