Mild Cognitive Impairment Risk

Reduce Your Risk for Mild Cognitive Impairment

Mild cognitive impairment is a condition where you have trouble connecting the dots if you will.  Preventing cognitive impairment is not necessarily the same thing as preventing dementia or Alzheimer's but it is similar. 

According to the studies referenced below you can reduce your risks of mild cognitive impairment by drinking more coffee and decrease your risks of other physical impairments by drinking light to moderately.

Cognitive Impairment Studies

Moderate alcohol consumption in your fifties will help reduce the likelihood of suffering from a disability as you age. Research published in the American Journal of Epidemiology found that light to moderate drinkers had 25 percent lower odds of physical impairments that would prevent them from carrying out daily activities such as household chores compared with abstainers.

Chase your cocktail with a shot of espresso to get extra brain protection: A Finnish study found that drinking three to five cups of coffee a day reduces the risk of cognitive impairment by 65 percent.

Related
There are additional studies which show that drinking moderately can also increase Omega-3 levels... the key in both cases is to drink routinely but keep the volume moderate to low.  Also remember that mild cognitive impairment is not the same as sever development issues such as Rett Syndrome or other related developmental issues.  These cannot be influenced with something as simple as your diet.  Lastly, I encourage you to read up on this potential cause of Alzheimer's disease.

Source
This quote originated from the May 2009 issue of Best Life magazine:

Reduce Inflammation by Cutting Calories

Reduce Inflammation & Improve Memory

Inflammatory disease and various forms of inflammatory response is primarily responsible for a wide array of symptoms and conditions. Working with your diet by eating anti-inflammatory foods can help to improve many inflammatory diseases and conditions. More specifically it’s been shown that the reduction in systemic inflammation by following a low calorie anti inflammatory diet or a CRON diet can help improve memory. Read on for more info.

German researchers report that cutting calories can improve memory and brain function. The researchers speculate that consuming fewer calories helps reduce levels of inflammation, a known risk factor for cognitive decline. Study participants cut 30 percent of their daily calories, which is 750 calories (about five and a half cans of cola) if you are consuming 2,500 calories a day.

More Inflammation Reduction Ideas

You can also combat inflammation and increase brain function by flossing your teeth more often. Additionally, eating more fish also has the ability to help prevent dementia and stroke similar to reducing inflammation.

The calorie restriction diet on the other hand requires a bit more of a rethinking of one’s lifestyle however it can be argued that eating fewer calories is additionally a great all around approach to living a longer healthier life.

Source
This quote originated from the May 2009 issue of Best Life magazine:

Increase Brain Function by Flossing Your Teeth Every Day

The following study found a very easy way to increase brain function.

"People with gum disease have worse mental functioning than those whose gums are healthy according to a UK study. The researchers had 6,693 adults in their twenties through seventies take cognitive performance tests. They found that, regardless of age, those with bleeding gums or tooth problems caused by inflamed gums scored worse. This finding suggests that system-wide inflammation due to gum disease causes damage to white matter in the brain, resulting in deficits in mental function. Flossing every day will help keep your gums healthy and your mind sharp."

Related
Progressive brain damage via aging can also be minimized by eating fish. It's possible that the inflammation related to gum disease might be offset by eating fish... but you should probably floss anyway.

UPDATE 8/28/09: How about more reasons to floss; inflammation of the gums is also associated with an increased risk of pancreatic cancer.
Source
This quote originated from the April 2009 issue of Best Life magazine: