Dr. Andrei Elnitsky, a geriatrician, pointed out that a protruding belly (accumulation of visceral fat), poor eyesight, and a lack of time spent in nature can accelerate cognitive decline.
According to him, many people fear developing dementia, but they only start thinking about preventing it after the age of sixty-five, while healthy brain habits should be adopted from an early age, and it is not limited to nutrition and sleep only.
He said: "It is best to exercise or walk with another person, as this promotes social interaction and communication. Individual physical activity is also beneficial, but exercising with a partner or within a group provides a greater protective effect on the brain."
The doctor also recommended monitoring body indicators such as body mass index, blood pressure, heart rate, cholesterol and blood sugar levels, and the need to deal with any abnormalities in them quickly and gradually.
Living in green areas as much as possible: High levels of pollution (such as fine particulate matter and hydrocarbon combustion byproducts) are a risk factor for dementia, as they contribute to stimulating inflammation and oxidative stress in the body.
Weight loss of 3–5%: because visceral fat accumulates around internal organs and releases cytokines that may harm the brain.
Regular eye exams: Poor eyesight reduces the amount of information that reaches the brain, which is a risk factor for cognitive decline.
He also stressed the importance of conducting regular checkups for hearing, blood pressure, blood sugar, weight and mood, as these checkups help to detect health problems at early stages and take the necessary measures in a timely manner.
