Sydney, May 7 (ANI): A new study has found that dementia may be kept at bay as there is growing evidence that proper diet, exercise, learning, socializing and medicines can help a healthy, ageing and impaired brain replenish cells and reconfigure its functioning.
The study was conducted by a team of researchers led by David Burke at St Vincent's Hospital in Sydney, Australia.
Neurogenesis, the potential of the brain to make new cells and neural plasticity - the brain's ability to reconfigure itself and create new connections - has been proved by scientists to take place at any age.
Although, majority credit is taken by proper medications, but according to specialists, lifestyle has been held equally responsible for inducing these processes.
"There's been a historical tendency for general negativity about dementia and what can be done about it, but that's now out of step with the science," Sydney Morning Herald quoted Burke as writing.
"We suggest that it's time doctors, patients and the public in general adopt a cautious new optimism that we actually can do something to combat it," he said.
"Exercise, in particular, has been shown to stimulate new connections and new brain cells, making a person sharper and better able to make decisions. It does this in healthy people but it seems fairly clear that people with dementia can do this too," Burke added.
It has been proved that any kind of formal learning elevates a person's cognitive competence and the brain's capacity to build or repair itself. Also socialising and close relationships are of help as they assuage stress which is 'toxic' for brain cells.
Eating properly and staying slim and diabetes-free, avoiding fag and controlling alcohol also keeps the body and the brain fit.
"We thought these were good for vascular (blood flow-related) dementia but it seems they help in Alzheimer's too," Burke said.
Low-calorie diet high in Omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, Vitamin C and B12, and folic acid are of particular benefit according to the researchers.
The findings of the study were published in the British Journal of Psychiatry. (ANI)