What can you do in your 30s to prevent memory loss?

Memory loss is probably not something you think about very much yet. But research has shown that making some positive changes now could help keep your memory in good shape later

Could this be you?

Your main concerns at this age probably centre around working your way up the career ladder, buying or upgrading your property or settling down and having children.

But scientists believe that this is also the prime time to boost your brain health and reduce the risk of memory loss as you get older.

Here’s how:

Look after your gums

While brushing your teeth twice daily is probably second nature, remembering to floss should also be part of your routine. That’s because plaque on your teeth can produce a bacteria that attacks arteries. We need healthy arteries throughout the body so that they can deliver vital nutrients to all parts of your body, including your brain.

Flossing is the best way to remove bacteria and plaque from between your teeth and near to the gum line, so remember to floss twice a day after brushing.

Work out your brain and your muscles

Doing exercise is a great way to boost your overall brain health – a study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found aerobic exercise (the kind that gets your heart pumping) can increase the size of your hippocampus, an area of the brain needed for memory.

However, an even more effective way to boost your memory is to use your brain and your muscles at the same time. Take a book or crossword to the gym and read while you’re on the treadmill, or download an audible language class and listen to it during your morning jog. Activating as much of your brain as possible will help to keep it healthy.

Give up smoking

The longer you smoke for, the harder it can be to give up (and the greater amount of damage it will do to your body). If you’re a smoker, give up now, and your body will be able to recover more easily than if you’re older.

The benefits of giving up start almost immediately after you quit, but you’ll really start to notice the difference a year after you stop, which is when your risk of heart disease drops by 50 per cent. Heart disease is a major risk factor for vascular dementia.

Find out what you can do in your 40s to help slow down memory loss.