Habits that harm the brain

Pointing out that the brain is also affected by lifestyle, Prof. Dr. Uludüz warned, "If you cannot give up some of your habits even though they are harmful, it is inevitable that you will experience memory problems over time."    

Experts emphasize the importance of brain health at every opportunity today, when Alzheimer's is defined as the 'epidemic disease of our age'. "We should think about our brain as well as our body health and take good care of it," said Neurologist Prof. Dr. Derya Uludüz listed the habits that negatively affect the brain in daily life and therefore should be abandoned as follows:

SLEEP LESS
Sleep is the most important need for life. Sleeping less than 7 hours a day reduces brain activity. When we don't get enough sleep, our brain's appetite increases and we constantly crave sugary foods. When you are sleep deprived, your metabolism slows down the next day. We gain weight. The risk of learning disabilities, memory problems, mental problems, chronic diseases, hypertension and diabetes increases. Sleeping less than 6 hours a day increases the risk of stroke and heart attack 4 times compared to normal people. Children who cannot sleep well at night become more hyperactive, irritable and careless during the day.

INACTIVITY
A sedentary life can lead to health problems such as obesity, heart disease and diabetes. These health problems can also damage your brain and increase your risk of dementia. The most important thing we need to do to improve your brain is physical activity. For example, walking strengthens thinking ability. It makes us happier and more energetic by producing endorphin and serotonin hormones. It increases blood flow to the brain by supporting the heart's pumping of blood to the body. This positively affects the general functions of the brain. Sports activities that allow for a high heart rate play a role in neurogenesis, that is, the formation of new brain cells in the brain.

THINKING NEGATIVELY
Being constantly stressed and anxious harms your mental health. This situation; It can lead to problems such as depression, anxiety and even dementia. Scientific research shows that people who think negatively have more amyloid and tau accumulation in their brains. This accumulation is an important reason that increases the risk of Alzheimer's.

UNHEALTHY DIET
If you constantly eat unhealthy foods such as fast food, your brain will also be damaged. Too much sweets or high-glycemic foods also negatively impact brain health. Also, the more fat we have in our body, the worse it is for your brain. Obesity increases the risk of dementia and especially Alzheimer's. To protect the brain, you should consume foods rich in protein, vitamin B, vitamin D and Omega 3. Especially if you have a diet deficient in Omega-3 fatty acids, you will feel older and tired than you are.

CONSUMING TOO MUCH TEA AND COFFEE
Consuming 1-2 cups of coffee or tea a day has a positive effect on cognitive functions. However, too much caffeine is also harmful. Consuming more than 300 mg of caffeine per day begins to damage your brain. 1 glass of medium-strength tea contains 50 mg of caffeine, and 1 glass of coffee contains 75 mg of caffeine. While cognitive ability increases in those who drink 1 or 2 cups of coffee a day, the opposite effect occurs in those who drink more than 3 cups. This is a "J-shaped" mechanism in scientific terms. 1-2 cups of coffee a day has a positive effect on memory, and when more than 3 cups are consumed, the risk of forgetfulness begins. It negatively affects your sleep by tricking the brain into thinking it doesn't need sleep.

NOT DRINKING ENOUGH WATER
70-80 percent of our brain consists of water. Moreover, water carries the necessary substances to the brain for it to work. Therefore, when we drink enough water, our brain works better.

CIGARETTE
Many toxins in cigarette smoke, especially the formaldehyde in its smoke, kill brain cells. The most important reason why brain cells are damaged in smokers is the decrease in oxygen capacity and the development of oxidative stress, which causes damage to the brain. Both active and former smokers are at high risk for Alzheimer's.

ALCOHOL
It damages the liver, making it difficult for you to remove toxins from the body. Toxins accumulated in the body damage the brain and cause rapid aging. Frequent alcohol use (3 or more drinks per week) causes brain shrinkage. In particular, the regions related to planning, calculation, memory and the regions that control emotions shrink. Complaints of forgetfulness and quick anger begin.

LISTENING TO LOUD MUSIC
Listening to music is good for the brain, but it can cause hearing loss when listened to at high volume. This situation also poses a risk for the brain. Because scientific research shows that people with hearing loss are more likely to develop Alzheimer's.

EXCESSIVE USE OF SOCIAL NETWORKING
Lately, we all have smartphones and computers in our hands. We spend our day with them. However, this situation causes attention problems, difficulty in face-to-face social communication, and negative effects on co-worker relationships.