There’s no question that many households in America and across the globe are affected by Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. In the United States, alone, there are more than 5.1 million Americans who have Alzheimer’s disease. The rate of Alzheimer’s disease and other cognitive disorders have risen steadily as our population has aged. As Will Mitchell, DOM, wrote in his book, The Unbreakable Brain, Alzheimer’s disease and dementia are age-related disorders as you are more likely to get a cognitive disorder if you are older. He notes that 90% of diagnoses of Alzheimer’s disease occur in people who are over the age of 60.
However, doctors and medical researchers still don’t know what exactly causes Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. The statistics show that women are more likely to become afflicted if they have a certain gene variation. African-Americans have twice the risk than Caucasian-Americans. However, these don’t answer the question of why, which is why Will Mitchell wanted to go over some risk factors so people can make their own lifestyle choices to protect themselves. The book was published by Primal Labs™, an organization founded in 2012 that provides publications from the leading medical experts. Primal Labs™ also reviews the world’s finest natural ingredients for its line of all-natural supplements.
What Are Some Risk Factors for Cognitive Disorders?
Medical Issues: Mitchell cautions people that cognitive issues often stem from medical disorders. We know that strokes can cause dementia, arterial fibrillation can lead to sharp mental decline, and hypertension can increase the risk of cognitive impairment. Therefore, it’s important to have any medical issues treated as quickly as possible, and individuals should take any preventative steps whenever possible.
B12 Deficiency: B12 is a crucial vitamin that our body needs for cognitive health. Unfortunately, many people, especially the elderly, do not absorb B12 well. Others do not get enough B12 in their diet. For example, if you are a vegan or vegetarian, you may need to supplement as B12 is only available in animal products and fortified plant foods. A simple blood test can tell you if you’re deficient in B12.
You Are Stressed Out: If you lead a stressful life, you may want to speak with your doctor about ways to effectively manage it. Stress leads to the production of cortisol, which in high levels, can damage the hippocampus. Stress also shortens telomeres, which protect our chromosomes from the effects of aging.