Tips for keeping the brain sharp and warning signs of dementia

Prof. Dr. Nipon Puangwarin, a specialist neurologist and former head of the Neurology Department at Siriraj Hospital, shares good tips for keeping the brain clear and memory strong even as you get older, reducing the risk of Alzheimer’s by drinking hot cocoa (not chocolate). He emphasizes 100% cocoa with no added sugar.

By sipping hot cocoa in the morning instead of coffee. But if you want it to taste good, heat fresh milk until hot, then add cocoa powder and stir until well mixed. Try it for about a month—there’s no harm.

The doctor said he tried drinking it for 6 months and his memory improved.

An easy way to make fresh-milk cocoa

1. Pour boxed fresh milk into a glass, 3/4 of the carton.

2. Heat in the microwave for 50–60 seconds. The milk will boil but won’t overflow the cup if you fill it to 3/4 of the carton.

3. Take the warmed milk and mix it with cocoa or Ovaltine powder, 3–4 teaspoons. Stir until well combined.

4. Add the remaining milk from the carton and mix well. You’ll get warm fresh-milk cocoa that’s just right to drink.

Or you can use Vitamilk J instead of fresh milk; it’s good for strict vegetarians.

You gave interesting advice—try reading and considering it. The key points about warning signs to know regarding dementia or Alzheimer’s were summarized as follows:

1. If anyone’s nose starts losing the sense of smell even without having a cold, hurry to get checked, because it may affect the memory part of the brain later on. Be aware that Alzheimer’s is starting to come for seniors.

2. Brain cells fully develop only up to about age 2. After that, cells begin to die more than new ones are created. Therefore, raising and caring for infants is very important during the first 2 years.

3. In the next few years, Alzheimer’s will become the disease most common among the elderly, surpassing cancer. Do not be careless about dementia.

4. Alzheimer’s affects not only memory, but also thinking, decision-making, and emotions. At present, people over 60 have an increasing chance of developing Alzheimer’s or having dementia-related conditions.

5. Lack of sleep affects memory. Seniors should get enough sleep. If you sleep too little, the chance of Alzheimer’s moving in is high. You should sleep from 22:00–05:00 or until 06:00; that is, if you can sleep 7–8 hours per night, that would be very good, and dementia conditions will be kept at bay.

6. The brain has 2 kinds of “food”: glucose and oxygen. If glucose is lower than 60, you may die within 6 hours. If it is higher than 120, it is diabetes. In older adults, normal blood sugar is around 100–120. If your blood sugar is more than 80 and not over 110, it is considered that you are lucky and blessed. Seniors (all older adults) should practice long inhalations/exhalations whenever they think of it; it helps add oxygen and expel old stale air that has accumulated in the lungs. The brain will feel refreshed and bright; Alzheimer’s will stay far away.

7. At present, there is still no cure for people with Alzheimer’s. There are only preventive methods that help reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s.

7.1 For those in the risk group: control diabetes, lower blood pressure, and increase oxygen to an adequate level.

7.2 For the general public: practice mindfulness by any method—chanting, walking meditation, seated meditation—and do activities/try new things so the brain gets to work (but don’t start thinking about investments you’ve never done and aren’t good at, or you’ll go broke first).

8. Cocoa (not chocolate) is the best food for humans. It contains antioxidants / substances that reduce the rate of cell death / substances that reduce hardening of blood vessels, etc. There are many research studies on the benefits of cocoa. They found that drinking enough cocoa can improve blood flow to various parts of the brain (especially the anterior cingulate cortex).

The doctor recommends drinking hot cocoa every morning, using 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder. You should add honey to make it easier to drink. “Two spoonfuls of cocoa a day keeps Alzheimer away.” Cocoa doesn’t taste very good, but it has enormous benefits and can drive Alzheimer’s far away. Those whose blood sugar is not high (not over 100) may add milk/sugar to enhance the flavor. (According to overseas research, if you use less than 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder per serving, it won’t be very effective at warding off Alzheimer’s.)

Prof. Dr. Nipon Puangwarin

Source: Tritibune.org | Arokaya column | 13 Jun 2019

……………………………………………………………..

Facebook: Aunt Sri Jamnongsri Hanjanlak
:https://www.facebook.com/ChamnongsriAwareness