During the interim, they monitored blood pressure and alcohol intake closely. The data showed that dementia is associated with things you can't control, like a family history of heart disease, advancing age, and low intelligence. Fortunately, it's also linked to things you can control, such as high blood pressure. And you don't have to forgo all of life's pleasures to do it. In fact, drinking some alcohol was shown to have a protective effect in the study.
Doctors say one alcoholic drink a day is mild and two is moderate intake.
He defined a drink as a typical shot of hard liquor, an average-sized bottle or can of beer, or a glass of wine. Fortunately, mild cases can often be controlled with lifestyle changes such as a low-salt diet, weight loss, and exercise. Get your heart rate up three to four times a week, for 30 to 40 minutes. Brisk walking and slow jogging are examples of aerobic exercise that are enjoyed by many older adults. If lifestyle modification fails to lower blood pressure within three to six months, doctors often prescribe medication.