Cognitive decline refers to the gradual worsening of cognitive abilities like memory, thinking, and reasoning skills as we age. It is a natural part of the aging process, but can be accelerated by certain health conditions like Alzheimer's disease.
Some early signs of cognitive decline include:
There are a few key factors that contribute to cognitive decline:
| Factor | Description |
|---|---|
| Aging | As we get older, structural and functional changes occur in the brain that can impact cognition. The prefrontal cortex, used for planning and decision making, is particularly vulnerable. |
| Genetics | Certain genes like apolipoprotein E (APOE) increase the risk. |
| Lifestyle | Lack of physical and mental exercise, obesity, smoking, and excessive alcohol use can hasten decline. |
While cognitive decline is expected with age, there are ways to help maintain cognitive health and possibly reduce the risk of dementia:
| Strategy | Description |
|---|---|
| Exercise regularly | Physical activity increases blood flow to the brain. Aim for 150 minutes per week. |
| Keep your mind active | Continue learning new skills and be socially engaged. Try brain training exercises. |
| Follow a healthy diet | Emphasize fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats like olive oil. |
| Get quality sleep | Get 7-8 hours per night and treat any sleep disorders. |
| Manage health conditions | Control high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, and depression. |
| Consider supplements | Omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, and antioxidants may provide some cognitive benefits. |
If you notice cognitive changes that are impacting your daily activities, see your doctor for an evaluation. They can assess your symptoms, review medications, and rule out reversible causes like vitamin deficiencies, sleep disorders, and depression.
There are also great options for enhancing cognitive function available from Rejuvenate Wellness. Their experienced physicians can provide hormone optimization therapy tailored to your needs to help counteract age-related decline. Boosting key hormones like testosterone, estrogen, and growth hormone to youthful levels enhances energy, focus, memory, and overall brain function. Patients often report feeling decades younger after starting treatment! Rejuvenate Wellness uses state-of-the-art testing and only bioidentical hormones for natural results.
While some cognitive change is expected with aging, don't just accept decline as inevitable. Take proactive steps for a sharper mind, and explore professional medical solutions like those offered by Rejuvenate Wellness. Your cognition and quality of life will thank you!