br 10 Strategies to Boost Your Cognitive Health and Fight Brain Aging br #CognitiveHealthbr #MentalHealthbr br Maintain Favorable Blood Pressure and Cholesterol Levelsbr br Many older people are surprised to learn that there are common risk factors between heart disease and Alzheimer’s disease. But if you think about how the vascular system supplies blood to the brain, it makes sense that impairment of blood flow could lead to brain tissue damage.br br The small arteries of the brain are sensitive to elevations in blood pressure and long-term hypertension can injure them. Several studies support the connection between blood pressure and brain health. Higher blood pressure correlates with poorer cognitive performance and damage to brain tissue.br br According to long-term studies, the risk of Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia is more than doubled if systolic blood pressure is in or above the range of 140-160 mmHg.br br br 2br Check Your Vitamin D Levelbr Low levels of vitamin D are linked to cognitive impairment. Vitamin D is involved in memory formation. Several studies have associated vitamin D deficiency with an increased risk of cognitive impairment or dementia in older adults.br br The optimal level of vitamin D is between 30 and 45 ngml.br br In addition, the vitamin is involved in regulating glucose and calcium transport to and within the brain, and may also protect cognition by reducing inflammation and increasing the availability of certain neurotransmitters.br br Why You Need Vitamin Dbr br 3br Take the Brain-Supporting Supplements Omega-3 DHA and Vitamin B12br br Maintaining sufficient levels of the omega-3 fatty acid DHA in the brain is an important measure for preventing neurodegenerative diseases later in life. Studies have shown that higher intake and higher circulating omega-3 DHA is associated with larger brain volume and a decreased risk of Alzheimer’s disease.br br The risk of vitamin B12 deficiency increases with age, about 20 percent of adults over age 60 are either insufficient or deficient.br br B12 deficiency causes problems in the brain, including confusion, depression, and poor memory. A deficiency in this important vitamin has been associated with Alzheimer’s disease.br br 4br Limit Your Consumption of Red Meat and Other Animal Productsbr Copper and iron are essential minerals present in large amounts in red meat; these minerals accumulate in the body over time and in excess, they can harm the brain.br br Instead, they can be obtained in non-dangerous amounts through healthier options such as sesame and pumpkin seeds, edamame, and other beans.br br 5br Focus on Whole Plant Foodsbr br A good rule to follow is to have 90 percent or more of your diet be whole plant foods, meaning vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts, and seeds. A diet higher in these foods and low in meat and dairy is associated with a 36 percent decrease in Alzheimer’s risk.