Unhealthy Habits Can Ruin Your Memory
Smoking, one of the most unhealthy habits today, has been linked to memory loss and cognitive decline in the Whitehall II study. Starting in 1985 researchers led by Dr. Severine Sabia assessed health habits in over 10,000 London civil servants. Assessments were taken at 44 years, 56 years, and at 61 years.
Findings show smokers are three times more likely to have poor thinking skills and twice as likely to suffer memory loss than non-smokers. Persons who smoked at the beginning of the study were more likely to die during the 17 years of the study and the survivors far less likely to participate in the cognitive testing follow up.
People that smoked tended to be in the lowest scoring group as compared to persons who never smoked. Ex-smokers were 30 percent less likely to be in the lowest group.
Researchers also suggested that persons that individuals with cognitive impairment in middle age were more prone to develop dementia as they grow older.
People who quit smoking during the study period were also more likely to improve other unhealthful habits including getting more exercise, eating a healthier diet, and drinking less alcohol.
Low levels of physical exercise is another factor shown to decrease mental faculties. Lack of physical exercise can lead to diminished fluid intelligence and memory loss.
The phrase “Be smart, be active, and be healthy” takes on a whole new meaning in light of these findings.
Poor diet including eating too much fat and not enough fruits and vegetables is another factor in declining thinking and memory loss.
Heavy drinking has long been know to kill brain cells. Strangely enough, non-drinkers and frequent drinkers both were twice as likely to have mild thinking impairment when compared to occasional drinkers. For more see study.