Sleeping, Reading Keys to Keeping Mentally Fit
Seven hours of sleep a night and lots of
reading. That seems to be the magic formula for keeping mentally alert
into old age, according to the findings of a new study out of Spain.
After analyzing the lifestyles of 245
seniors aged 65 and older, researchers from the CEU Cardenal Herrera
University in Valencia, Spain found that those who slept either too much
or too little and abstained from brain-stimulating activities like
reading were at increased risk of developing cognitive impairment.
According to their study, published in the journal Revista de Investigacion Clinica,
seniors who slept more than eight hours or less than six, were 2.6
times more likely to suffer from cognitive impairment compared to those
who got six to eight hours a night.
Likewise, the absence of brain-boosting
activities like reading also contributed to cognitive decline: Those who
admitted to not reading were 3.7 times at increased risk, while those
who said they read occasionally increased their risk by 2.5 times.
Overall, 12 percent of the participants suffered from cognitive impairment.
Researchers point out that age-related
cognitive decline affects 35.6 million people worldwide. According to
the World Alzheimer Report, that figure is expected to spike to 100
million cases in 2050.
Other known lifestyle habits that can help
seniors keep their brain sharp is to adopt a regular exercise regime
and a healthy diet that includes brain-boosting foods rich in omega-3s
and antioxidants.
© AFP/Relaxnews 2014
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