Walk with the Doc – Chapter 10

Some fear dementia more than death. While death is certain, dementia, including memory loss, need not be in every instance. There are measures which can be taken to either prevent or mitigate the disease. The Latin phrase mens sana in corpore sano means “a sound mind in a sound body.” A primary focus should be taking care of the body, which provides oxygen and nutrients to the brain. Vascular dementia is a result of the same disease process that causes decreased blood flow in the heart. The same measures to reduce heart disease apply to the brain. Hence, what’s good for the heart is good for the brain. Walking promotes circulation, and reduces risk of coronary heart disease and vascular dementia. Fear of dementia can be substantially reduced by understanding the disease and pursuing measures, such as walking, that can prevent or delay the onset of age-related cognitive impairment or dementia.