How To Ward Off Dementia: Keep The Brain Active

It has been known that doing crossword puzzles and Sudoku helps reduce the risk of Alzheimer's, but scientists have found that it can also help stave off the broader spectrum of dementia.

Around 800,000 people in Britain suffer from dementia (62% of those have Alzheimer's), and scientists said that unfamiliar mental stimulus (like a puzzle) can stimulate neuron growth in parts of the brain.

A new study, published by Neurology, explains that this also can extend to reading books and writing letters. It adds further evidence to the belief that lifestyle factors can affect how soon you get dementia, if at all.

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In a US study, reported by the BBC, 294 people over the age of 55 were given tests that measured memory and thinking, every year for about six years until the died. They were asked extensive questions about their lifestyle, whether they read, did puzzles, how active they were and whether they took part in other activities that were mentally stimulating. They then examined their brains to see the physical evidence of dementia.

The study found that after factoring out the impact of those signs, those who kept their brain busy had an estimated 15% slower rate of cognitive decline than those who did not.

However, keeping the brain active is also something that should be done by people who aren't in their fifties and sixties yet, According to the Alzheimer's Society, around 17,000 younger people also have dementia in the UK.

Dr James Pickett, head of research at the Alzheimer's Society, said: "More research and bigger studies are needed, but in the meantime reading more and doing crosswords can be enjoyable and certainly won't do you any harm.

"The best way to reduce your risk of developing dementia is to eat a balanced diet, exercise regularly and maintain a healthy weight."

Great brain food ideas from HuffPost US:

Healthy Food Habits For Optimum Brain Health

Make Your Meals A Rainbow(01 of08)

That doesn't mean you should pour out a bag of Skittles at each meal. Try to eat foods of a variety of natural colors to gain antioxidants, said Dr. Amen. (credit:Getty)

Avoid These Fruits(02 of08)

Just because something is a fruit, doesn't mean you should chow down on it, according to Dr. Daniel Amen, author of "Use Your Brain To Change Your Age." For brain health, Dr. Amen recommends food with a low glycemic index -- which measures how quickly food increases blood sugar -- and a lot of fiber, which benefits your intestinal tract. Certain fruit like pineapple and watermelon have high glycemic indexes and should be avoided, advises Dr. Amen. Instead, incorporate fruits like blueberries, apples, oranges, cherries, kiwi, strawberries and raspberries. When it comes to fiber, consider adding coconut to your diet.Correction: In a previous version of this slide, "blood pressure" was incorrectly inserted where "blood sugar" is. (credit:Getty)

You Need Fat(03 of08)

Don't eliminate all of the fat in your diet. Instead, focus on incorporating good fats. In fact, if your cholesterol drops too low, you may be at greater risk for depression, according to Amen and several studies on low cholesterol. So what exactly are "good fats"? Dr. Amen advises people to eat foods rich in omega-3s to promote brain health, including almonds, walnuts, brazil nuts, fish, lamb, avocados and green leafy vegetables.Another added benefit of eating good fats? "Your vitamins are actually absorbed better when you eat them with a little bit of fat," said Dr. Amen. (credit:Getty)

Choose Your Meat Wisely(04 of08)

While you generally want to avoid bad fats, if you choose to eat steak, "you want to go with grass-fed, hormone-free, free-range meats" rather than grain-fed meats, said Dr. Amen. "When you feed the animals the high-glycemic foods, they actually produce less of the good fat and more of the bad fat. So they're not as good for you."In other words, what your food eats affects your health too, according to Dr. Amen. Photo courtesy of mdid (credit:Flickr:mdid)

Herbs And Spices Don't Just Add Flavor(05 of08)

Next time you're whipping up some grub, turn to your spice rack for an extra brain boost. Spices and herbs may do more for your health than you realize. According to Dr. Amen, cinnamon balances blood sugar; garlic, oregano and rosemary increase blood flow to the brain; curry acts as an anti-inflammatory; and saffron can have anti-depressant effects.Photo courtesy of S. Diddy (credit:Flickr:S. Diddy)

Pour Out That Juice(06 of08)

Next time you're craving a cold glass of juice with your breakfast, think again. "Juice is sugar that is unwrapped from its fiber source, and whenever you unwrap sugar from its fiber source, it can turn toxic in your body," said Dr. Amen. Photo courtesy of Leonid Mamchenkov (credit:Flickr:Leonid Mamchenkov)

What You Eat For Breakfast Matters(07 of08)

You may be dreaming about that delicious breakfast muffin all night, but you should probably steer clear of the breakfast pastries. "There's way too much bad fat and sugar," said Dr. Amen. Instead, he recommends a protein-heavy breakfast like a few boiled eggs, nuts and an apple. While Dr. Amen suggests eating lean protein at each meal, he believes it is "especially important in the morning because it helps you focus," he said.Photo courtesy of Nicola since 1972 (credit:Flickr:Nicola since 1972)

Find Supportive Friends(08 of08)

The last thing you need when you're trying to eat healthy are friends who try to coerce you to be unhealthy. "You have to deal with the food pushers in your life because they'll steal your health," said Dr. Amen. "The health of the people you spend time with will often determine your longevity." Make sure your friends understand and support your decision to eat healthier, and try to find other people who who are on the same healthy path as you. (credit:Alamy)

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