As worrisome as memory loss sounds, understanding more about how smoking affects your brain’s ability to remember could help you make better decisions now so you can protect your brain health down the road. In this blog post, we look at why cigarette smokers are more likely to experience cognitive decline earlier in their lives and what steps you can take immediately to reduce these risks.
The Ohio State University study is the first to analyze the relationship between smoking and cognitive decline using a self-reported questionnaire. The analysis included 136,018 people 45 and older and was a mixture of current smokers, recent former smokers, and those who had quit years earlier. Approximately 11% of all participants reported subjective cognitive decline (SCD).
The prevalence of SCD among smokers was almost 1.9 times that of non-smokers in the study. Those who had quit smoking less than 10 years ago were 1.5 times more than of nonsmokers. Those who quit more than a decade before the survey had an SCD prevalence just slightly above the nonsmoking group.
“The association we saw was most significant in the 45-59 age group, suggesting that quitting at that stage of life may have a benefit for cognitive health,” Wing said. A similar difference wasn’t found in the oldest group in the study, which could mean that quitting earlier affords people greater benefits,” said senior author Jeffrey Wing.
To help catch cognitive issues early, researchers believe this simple assessment could be done routinely at a younger age than cognitive decline is typically seen, and that tends to rise to the level of Alzheimer’s disease.
This study is a helpful reminder that quitting smoking is not only good for reducing the risk of conditions such as respiratory or cardiovascular diseases, but it can also help to preserve neurological health and reduce the risk of dementia.
Protecting Brain Function
While some degree of cognitive decline is nearly inevitable as you age, other numerous factors can take a toll on the ability of the brain to function at peak potential. This can affect memory, concentration, and overall brain function.
The Smart Pill can help to enhance cognitive function and memory through 9 ingredients that help to support, nourish, and maximize brain health. These include ginkgo biloba, huperzine A, bacopa extract, rosemary extract, and a B vitamin complex. This unique formula helps to boost circulation, fight free radicals, and provide nutritional support to assist with cognitive function.