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A new study published in the journal Age and Ageing says that smoking causes not just damage to the body organs but also the mind. In a survey involving over 8000 people, those above 50 with high blood pressure and obesity registered lesser brain damage than those who smoked. They were made to memorize new words or name as many animals they could in a minute and further tested again after four and eight years to see the impact of their lifestyle over the years.
Those who registered the highest health risks were also associated with cognitive decline. The greater the cognitive decline, the greater was the health risk of a cardiac arrest or high blood pressure. Those who smoked scored the least. Cognitive decline is common with ageing said the scientists but is also affected with daily functioning from their lifestyle and habits. They concluded that it’s imperative to look after cardiovascular health from mid-life.
The Alzheimer’s Society said that it’s a known fact that smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and Body Mass Index is bad for the heart. But this study is evidence that it’s bad for the brain too. The only way to check it is through a balanced diet, regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, blood pressure and cholesterol level. What makes a huge difference is not smoking.
(Based on Bbc.co.uk)
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