Lifestyle Diseases

Introduction

As people get older, they typically experience some decline in cognitive function. It is thought that at least a portion of this cognitive change that has previously been attributed to the aging process is actually due to medical diseases that are common in older adults. Important, though, is the finding that medical diseases (and other biological and lifestyle factors that promote illness) can negatively affect the brain and therefore cognitive function in people of any age, and may exert cumulative effects over time. Similarly, certain good health habits can help protect cognitive function at any age.

Examples of the types of factors related to health and illness that can affect cognitive function include lifestyle factors, hormones, genetics, medical diseases, exposure to toxic substances in the environment, and medical and surgical treatments for disease. These factors typically do not disable the brain and associated cognitive abilities to the same extent as do the neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. However, even the more mild to moderate effects of these factors on cognitive function can impact people's lives and can predispose to more serious impairments further on down the road if the diseases are not treated properly (Emery, 89).

Discussion

Several lifestyle factors or health habits are known to affect cognitive function. For example, health-compromising behaviors such as smoking, heavy alcohol consumption, drugs of abuse (e.g., opiates, cocaine), and physical inactivity have been associated with poorer cognitive function. In addition, dietary insufficiencies, such as vitamin B6, vitamin B12, thiamine, folate, and zinc, have been related to cognitive difficulties, as has high caloric consumption. In contrast, health-enhancing behaviors have been associated with better cognitive functioning. For example, greater intake of antioxidants such as vitamin C and greater levels of physical fitness or physical activity have been associated with higher levels of cognitive function. In addition, cognitive function can improve with aerobic exercise training in both healthy people and people with chronic medical diseases. For example, Dr. Charles F. Emery and his colleagues at Ohio State University found that patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who participated in a structured aerobic exercise group for 10 weeks showed improvements in cognitive function as compared to patients who did not (Haan, 19).

Prevention strategies, such as lifestyle modifications, are the first step to decreasing the risk of heart disease. Recommendations to a healthier lifestyle include 30 minutes of moderate physical activity four or more days a week, smoking cessation, and ...