Want to keep as mentally healthy as possible as you age? Don’t worry, you don’t have to go to great lengths.

Experts say that maintaining a healthy brain is an important part of aging—and will get even more critical as the number of older Americans double to 70 million by 2030.

However, you can avoid much of the illness and disability linked to aging through known preventive measures.

Dr. William Shankle, a dementia specialist and chief medical officer of Medical Care Corporation in Irvine, Calif., offers these tips:

•  Exercise at least three times a week, 30 minutes each time;

•  Read, write, learn new things as mental exercises;

•  Eat foods high in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, walnuts, green leafy vegetables;

•  Follow a low-calorie, low-fat diet;

•  Control your cholesterol;

•  Control your blood pressure;

•  Control your weight;

•  Relax and sleep well;

•  Manage anxiety;

•  Maintain a socially active lifestyle.

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Nubella News, a division of Marketing Technology Solutions, Inc., offers content intended for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We encourage our readers to seek prompt medical care for health issues and consult their physicians before starting a new diet, fitness regimen, or medical treatment.