MEMORY AND HOW TO KEEP IT AND LIVE TO BE 100

Many people think that as one gets older it is perfectly normal to lose the memory and in many cases end up with dementia and Alzheimer disease. Whilst it is true that heredity plays a part in memory retention, most people can reduce the possibility of poor memory and dementia, even those with an inherited disposition. Even if you are already experiencing some memory loss you can dramatically reduce any further loss and very possibly arrest any further loss.
Research about longevity has revealed that the main thing that people who live for more than 100 years have in common is that they sleep well for at least seven hours per night. The second is that a very low percentage have any measurable dementia.
The third commonality is that they have all kept in good health and the majority of us can do the same. It is interesting that what is good in health terms for the heart is generally good for the brain, and the brain is of course the most important feature in avoiding memory loss, dementia and Alzheimers. All three are caused by the deterioration of the brain due to mainly controllable factors. If you are young your mental destiny is almost entirely in your hands. Even if you are elderly like myself and already have dementia due to avoidable things like high fats, alcohol excess and smoking, you can like me adopt the correct lifestyle and at the very least reduce the advance of dementia. In fact in my own case I have had dementia for many years but stopped its advance.
So, apart from good sleep, which incidentally can be improved by sufficient exercise, rejection of depression, meditation and positive thinking, the next step is a good diet. This means the Mediterranean style diet, low in fats and high in fruits and vegetables etc. Also a vitamin supplement should be taken, especially omega 3.. Alcohol should be limited to one glass of red wine per day and smoking completely eliminated as blockage of the arteries caused by smoking negatively affects the brain as it does the heart..And the final magic ingredient is plenty of good pure water. This is God's medicine and apart from green tea  Roibos tea and cocoa most other drinks should be avoided.

Lots of rain here in Paarl and quite a bit colder as Autumn advances, but still very pleasant. We are all well and my book grows by the day and no further deterioration in memory or cognitive abilities.
Keep taking the tablets.
David Barnato.
Paarl. South Africa.
barnatod.@blogspot.com