Bengaluru: What’s good for the heart is good for the brain as well, goes the saying. Women with a heart-healthy diet in midlife are 17% less likely to develop cognitive decline in older age, says a new study conducted by New York University’s Grossman School of Medicine.
Seconding the study’s findings, Dr Pratima Murthy, director, Nimhans, says there is little awareness about brain health and the importance of heart health for brain health.“Conditions that affect heart and blood vessels such as high blood pressure can aggravate cognitive decline. High BP can increase the risk for stroke and heart disease,” explains Dr Murthy, adding that many of these risk factors are preventable.
The NYU study of a cohort of 5,116 women published in the journal Alzheimer’s & Dementia underscores the benefits of a DASH (dietary approaches to stop hypertension) diet that limits saturated fat, cholesterol, sodium and sugar and helps reduce BP. According to the study, women account for more than two thirds of people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.
The brain has a vast network of blood vessels that carry nutrients, oxygen and glucose to cells. “Uncontrolled high BP or narrowing of the vessels due to atherosclerosis can contribute to damage to the vessels. While blockage of such vessels can cause stroke, when small strokes or microinfarcts occur, they can lead to progressive cognitive decline,” explains Dr Murthy.
Juggling roles on both personal and professional fronts, middle-aged women often have no time to pause, listen to their body and give themselves the nourishment they require, says Rajani Vaidya, homemaker and nutritionist. However, taking care of health at this crucial stage helps one remain fit through later years. “Make sure to eat as many vegetables as the rest of the family at each meal instead of giving up your portion for someone else. Add a raw salad to meals as often as possible,” suggests Vaidya.
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