One of the most concerning public health challenges we face today is that of cognitive decline. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, deaths from Alzheimer’s have
increased 145% since the year 2000, 1 in 3 seniors dies with Alzheimer’s or another
disease, and it is estimated to have cost the nation $290 billion in 2019. Think about that just for a moment, 1 in 3 is a staggering number. What’s more concerning is that despite the 82% of seniors who consider it important to get cognitive checks, only 16% actually get regular cognitive assessments, thus depriving them of the chance to get ahead of the disease process. An ever increasing body of research is indicating the criticality of staying ahead of the disease process.
One such study regarding the dangers of soybean oil, the most prevalent oil in the American diet, emphasizes the hazards of long-term consumption. This particular study conducted at UC Riverside not only saw strong connections between soybean oil,
obesity and diabetes, but also neurological conditions like autism, Alzheimer’s disease, anxiety and depression. You may be thinking, “I don’t use soybean oil”. But, I can almost guarantee that you consume a lot more than you think. Soybean oil is one of the many low quality, “filler” ingredients used in packaged foods because of the low cost. Low quality fats are of particular concern because of the way these “damaged” fats interfere with many of our metabolic processes, hormone pathways and even just basic cellular function. More than ever, it is critical to read the packaging on your foods, or better yet, opt for foods with no packaging whenever possible.
Once we’ve looked into the underlying causes of a condition and established a treatment plan, our focus shifts towards educating patients on the many facets of daily life that factor into their overall picture of health. We are constantly flooded with a barrage of health trends and health foods that are simply not healthy, or perhaps are healthy only in certain contexts. I am here to help you sort through those countless trends to make decisions that will truly work for you. For example, there are many brain training games that claim to boost cognitive performance, but in reality simple social
dialogue has shown far more promise in keeping all those crucial neural networks in the brain strong. Another important recommendation for staying sharp is physical activity, but there are certain types of physical activity that send the activity of several protective, longevity related mechanisms through the roof compared to simple lower-intensity cardio.
This is an issue that is so much more important than just you feeling good; think about all of the memories and great experiences we all stand to gain with kids, grandkids, other family and friends by staying on top of cognitive health.
©2020 Vital Health
