Predict Your Future Health with a Tape Measure
Research shows that in some cases, all you need is a tape measure to predict if you’re at risk for conditions like Alzheimer’s, dementia or even a stroke! Here are some clues to look for, according to Prevention magazine.
- Keep track of your jean size. A study found that adults whose waistline increases dramatically between their 30s and 40s are more than three times as likely to develop dementia, compared to adults who maintain the same size. Why? The visceral fat packed around your organs is dangerous and known to secrete hormones associated with cognitive decline! The fix? Manage your portions, and replace unhealthy fat - from foods like cookies, burgers and ribs - with “healthy fat” – from foods like olives, avocadoes, nuts, and dark chocolate. Research shows those will help prevent the build-up of visceral fat. If you can’t fit into a 10-year-old pair of jeans, you need to slim down.
- Measure your calves. Research shows that people with calves measuring 13 inches around or less have a high risk for stroke! That’s because plaque in the blood can settle in your legs, and if there isn’t enough fatty tissue in your calves to draw that plaque from your blood, you’ll be more likely to develop blood clots, which can spread to your brain. The fix? Sip more green tea. A Japanese study found that people who drank five cups of green tea each day had the lowest risk of dying from a stroke. Also, stay active. Sedentary people have the biggest risk of blood clots.
- Measure your arm-span. That’s the length of your arms from fingertip to fingertip. A recent Tufts University study found that people with an arm span measuring less than 60 inches are one-and-a-half times more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease. The theory here is that a smaller arm span is a sign of nutritional deficits during childhood, which can affect brain development. The good news is that you can ward off mental decline by keeping your brain as active as possible. Studies have shown that adults who spend the most time challenging their brain are nearly three times less likely to develop Alzheimer’s