Health News Desk, Aging of people is a natural process, which continues continuously. Along with the body, our brain also ages. Some people have brain atrophy i.e. premature aging. There can be many reasons for this. Factors such as mental health problems, serious illnesses and disordered lifestyle can also cause premature aging of the brain. You may be surprised to know that poor heart health can make the brain ‘age’ prematurely. This has been revealed in a recent study. It has been found that there is a direct relationship between heart health and the aging process of the brain. By keeping the heart healthy, you can make the brain healthy.
In a recent study, researchers found that brain predicted age differences (brain PAD) are associated with heart health and neurodegeneration, Medical News Today reports. The study included data from 456 people born in one week in 1946. Each person underwent 24 separate assessments on various factors from birth, after which the study was completed. Researchers found that brain age was associated with greater cardiovascular risk and poorer cognitive performance. They also found that brain age was associated with higher levels of neurofilament light protein (NfL). Even in healthy individuals, NfL levels increase with age, leading to nerve damage. However, no association with Alzheimer’s disease has emerged.
This is how the heart affects the brain
The researchers of the study say that any damage to the vascular system, including the heart or blood vessels, affects the supply of oxygenated blood to the brain. If this supply is reduced, our brain health will be adversely affected. If oxygenated blood does not reach the right amount, the risk of many diseases in the brain increases.