Jane Thrall

The Alzheimer Society of Canada reports that roughly one in twelve Canadians aged 65 and over are currently living with dementia— by 2030, it’ s expected that nearly one million Canadians will be affected.

Researchers have examined a number of plausible contributors to dementia, including medical history, lifestyle factors, and socioeconomics. It seems that every few months another study has published a warning against some variable in our diet or environment that may increase our dementia risk.

Equally thought-provoking are the studies that show how partaking in certain activities, taking a specific supplement, or eating an abundance of a particular food can drastically reduce the risk of dementia.

Scientists have long known the importance of mental stimulation in preventing cognitive decline— it’ s been proven that an active mind is less susceptible to neurodegeneration. It’ s the slow atrophy of cortical tissue that accounts for the memory loss, disorientation, and changes in behaviour associated with dementia.

Results from the Mayo Clinic Study of Aging published in Neurology( 2015)* found that people who engaged in artistic activities, both in mid-life and late life, showed a seventy-three per cent lower risk of late-stage dementia compared with those who did not. While neuroplasticity can decline with age, those who participate in creative activities show increased structural and functional connections within areas of the brain associated with mental agility.

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