Optimal blood pressure in early adulthood slows the brain's aging process

Keeping blood pressure to optimal levels might be key to keeping our brains young and healthy, according to new research

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The interplay between high blood pressure and brain health is one scientists continue to shed new light on, with studies increasingly linking hypertension to a decline in cognitive function later in life. New research has drilled into the details around when exactly this relationship begins to take shape, finding that it not only begins earlier than suspected, but that even those with blood pressure at the higher end of the normal recommended range can be at risk of premature brain aging.

A growing body of research is strengthening the connection between high blood pressure and mild cognitive impairment, dementia and Alzheimer's, while one study even uncovered a link with diabetes. By the same token, studies have also suggested that treating high blood pressure can slow the rate of cognitive decline, and that this could even be achieved with common hypertension drugs to boost blood flow.

But there remain many blanks to fill in, both in terms of how blood pressure affects the brain and at what stage in life it begins to do so. Seeking answers to these questions, a study led by scientists at Australian National University analyzed 2,000 brain scans of 686 healthy individuals between the ages of 44 and 76, and then combined this with blood pressure data on each subject collected up to four times across a 12-year period.

It's important we introduce lifestyle and diet changes early on in life to prevent our blood pressure from rising too much, rather than waiting for it to become a problem This allowed the researchers to determine the brain age of each person, a standard measure of brain health, and gain new insights into the influence high blood pressure can have on it. In adults, a normal blood pressure means a reading of below 120/80, while optimal blood pressure is closer to 110/70. According to the team's analysis, even those at the higher end of this "healthy" range were at risk of accelerated brain aging, and that aiming for the optimal blood pressure can make all the difference.

"It's important we introduce lifestyle and diet changes early on in life to prevent our blood pressure from rising too much, rather than waiting for it to become a problem," say co-author Professor Walter Abhayaratna. "Compared to a person with a high blood pressure of 135/85, someone with an optimal reading of 110/70 was found to have a brain age that appears more than six months younger by the time they reach middle age."

These findings have led the researchers to call for a revision of health guidelines. But because it takes some time for elevated blood pressure to begin to influence the brain, the scientists say the study also highlights the need to pay attention to these readings far earlier in life, and that the effects could begin building even when healthy people are in their 20s.

"This thinking that one's brain becomes unhealthy because of high blood pressure later in life is not completely true," says study author Professor Nicolas Cherbuin. "It starts earlier and it starts in people who have normal blood pressure."

My extremely smart Nigerian MD who went to med school there, where BigPharma does not control the schools, is not even slightly alarmed when my bp gets high, because it’s as low as a teenager’s some of the time. Fluctuates.

He told me you have to take your blood pressure once an hour for a few days and average it to really know whether or not to be alarmed. If mine gets as low as it sometimes is, I’m fine, he’s not worried and neither am I.

Exercise helps lower blood pressure. Get out, walk every day, go to the gym and run on the treadmill. Keep moving.

Of course, but if you exercise enough, you’ll be tired enough to go when it happens. I have to live to be 100 because no-one else would put up with my b@tchy kitty after I croak. Doc says I’ll get there. Some cats live very long lives.

Good advice. Big Food is pumping Americans with life shortening sugars and carbs that are robbing Americans of hundreds of millions of years of life. Big Pharma comes in to profit, of course.

I am eagerly expecting the class action lawsuits against Big Food, as their products are more deadly than tobacco.

We can wait several lifetimes for suits against BigFood and BigPharma.

Meanwhile, I consult EWG.org, Environmental Working Group in Washington, DC.
They put out lists of foods contaminated by pesticides and those that are not.
“Dirty Dozen” and “Clean Fifteen.” I send them a little money now and then, but you don’t need to in order to read their lists.

Strawberries collect more pesticide than any other fruit or veggie. It accumulates under each and every seed. Gee, those boxes look terrific, but don’t buy.

Fortunately, I live near four stores that carry lovely organic veggies. Junky old Safeway is now the best place to buy. Smart produce manager and beautiful, well-priced organic veggies. Same guy owns Albertson’s chain, so that’s probably OK too. Of course, thanks to that nincompoop Xiden, everything is getting more expensive. Good time to go on a diet if you need one.

Here’s the new list from EWG: Dirty Dozen and Clean 15

DIRTY DOZEN. (Always buy organic)
Strawberries
Spinach
Kale, collard, mustard greens
Nectarines
Apples
Grapes
Cherries
Peaches
Pears
Bell and hot peppers
Celery
Tomatoes

CLEAN FIFTEEN. (Don’t need to be organic, pesticides not used )
Avocados
Sweet corn
Pineapple
Onions
Papayas
Sweet peas (frozen)
Eggplant
Asparagus
Broccoli
Cabbage
Kiwi
Cauliflower
Mushrooms
Honeydew melon
Cantaloupe

I send a little $$ to Environmental Working Group every year. They do serious research. You can also look up cosmetic contents, cleaning products, water quality in your city. I’m serious about cosmetics and even more serious about drinking water. I get bottled water for me and also for DaisyJane, my cat.
My daughter is serious about all this too and has wonderful water filtration system in her house.

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