In my previous blogs, I coined the term Super-Seniors💚 referring to all THD residents who will be 90 years old this year or over. I wrote that there will be 4 seniors here at THD who will joined the Nonagenarian Club this year. I am one of the 4 who will turn 90 before the end of 2024. However, I learned that the true definition of super seniors is:
💚Super-Seniors are individuals aged 85 years and older who reported never being diagnosed with cancer, cardiovascular disease (CVD), diabetes, dementia, or major pulmonary disease. I do not qualify of this definition since I have diabetes.
Another term I learned today is Super Ager. Here's what I learned about SuperAgers?
A SuperAger is someone age 80 or older who exhibits cognitive function that is comparable to an average person who is middle-aged.
Additionally, SuperAgers show less brain volume loss than is typical for someone their age. Using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), scientists measured the thickness of the cortex in 24 SuperAgers and 12 members of a control group. Normally aging adults lose roughly 2.24% in brain volume per year, but the SuperAgers lost around 1.06%. Because SuperAgers lose brain volume more slowly than their peers, they may be better protected from dementia.
Common Habits of SuperAgers
1. SuperAgers live an active lifestyle.
Staying active is one of the best things you can do as you age. Even exercising twice a week will help lower your chances of getting the disease later in life. Physical activity results in increased oxygen intake, which helps your body perform optimally. Exercise helps your heart, and muscle-strengthening exercises specifically reduce the risk for falls.
Regular exercise also helps you maintain a healthy weight. The risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease triples in individuals with a body mass index (BMI) over 30.
2. SuperAgers continue to challenge themselves.
Mental activity can be just as important as physical activity. If Sudoku doesn’t speak to you, no need to fret. Mental activity comes in many forms. Try reading an article on a subject with which you’re unfamiliar, or take classes that put you outside your comfort zone. These will help stimulate and engage the brain in new ways.
3. SuperAgers are social butterflies.
SuperAgers tend to report strong social relationships with others, says Dr. Lindquist. To support this, the attention region deep in the brain is larger in SuperAgers. This region is packed with large, spindly neurons called von Economo neurons, which are thought to play a role in social processing and awareness. Dr. Lindquist states that autopsies on SuperAgers revealed they have more than four to five times the number of such neurons compared to the average person in their 80s.
"While we can’t guarantee that you’ll never get Alzheimer’s disease if you have a strong social network, it’s an important part of the lifestyle decisions we can make — like diet and exercise — that can contribute to living better, longer,” says Dr. Lindquist.
4. SuperAgers indulge.
Yes, you read that correctly. Dr. Lindquist says SuperAgers span individuals who are fitness buffs and those who indulge in a nightcap every evening. They also indulged in an occasional glass of alcohol; people who drink moderately were 23% less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease or signs of memory problems than those who don’t drink alcohol.
The key here is moderation. It’s equally important to note that drinking more than the recommended amount would be considered a risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease.
For Complete Details visit: https://www.nm.org/healthbeat/healthy-tips/4-habits-super-agers#:~:text=A%20SuperAger%20is%20someone%20age,typical%20for%20someone%20their%20age.
Meanwhile enjoy this photo of what I had for appetizer last night celebrating Daughter's Dinah 63rd Birthday at the Walnut Creek Yacht Club, Downtown WC.
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