Does Blood Type Affect Memory?

New research was published in Neurology recently. It’s sure to shock and worry a lot of people. About 1 in 25 Americans have blood type AB. These people are twice as more likely than those with other blood types to develop dementia.Research was done on more than 30,000 participants. They found that people with blood type AB were 82 percent more likely to experience cognitive impairments and memory conditions.The different genetic variations in different blood types is due to blood clotting proteins. A hematologist at the University of Vermont explained that these proteins change the risk for vascular diseases.Naturally, the brain needs plenty of blood to function properly. There is a lot of oxygen found in blood so certain blood types are more prone to heart disease, stroke, blood clots and rare forms of cancer.Now those people out there reading this that have blood type AB, you don’t need to freak out just yet. Even though, the risk was more prevalent, overall it was still relatively low. Of course, to better decrease your chances of developing dementia later on in life is to take the necessary health precautions now.  Our Las Vegas radiology experts have some health tips for you to follow in order to prevent dementia:

• Regular exercise: Try to do at least 30 minutes a day for the best results. The exercise could be walking, swimming or any other activity that gets the heart pumping.
• Healthy diet: As we all know, some foods are just plain bad for us, but what many aren’t aware of is that there are specific foods that can actually improve brain health. These include fatty fish, berries, leafy vegetables and tea.
• Mental stimulation: As we grow older, we tend to challenge our brains less making it prone to dementia. Staying mentally active by playing strategy games and puzzles can keep your memory better intact.
• Quality sleep: Sleep deprivation not only leaves you cranky, but it isn’t good for your overall health. Sleeping at least 8 hours a night can dramatically improve your memory retention and mood. Any less sleep with affect your creativity.
• Stress management: Stress can take a heavy toll on the health of our brains. In fact, it can actually lead to the shrinkage of the hippocampus, which is the area that holds our memories. In times of stress, experts recommended people to focus solely on their breathing to calm their bodies down.
• Active social life: Naturally, humans tend to crave interaction. Isolation can actually be harmful to our brains, negatively affecting memory and cognition. Even as you grow older and lose friends, it’s important to stay involved in social activities. Even connecting to people through social networks can be helpful.

Along with maintaining a healthy lifestyle, getting routine diagnostic exams can be helpful. Though a regular CT scan can’t prevent the dementia, it can detect it early enough to take necessary precautions to avoid progression. Schedule an appointment with the radiologist Las Vegas trusts most. Contact Steinberg Diagnostic at 702.732.6300 for more information.