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Science says these practices can lower the risk of cognitive decline as we age. Growing older is a mixed blessing. On the one hand, we finally are able to retire and enjoy the fruits of our labors. However, health challenges can slow us down as we age. And some of these health concerns — such as dementia — can be devastating. Fortunately, a growing body of evidence suggests there are steps we can take to lower our risk of dementia. Following are a few lifestyle changes that science says can lower the risk of developing this condition. Talk to your doctor Research out of the University of Michigan found that while nearly half of people in their 50s and 60s fear developing dementia, only 5% have talked to their doctor about it. Eating more healthfully Eating a more healthful diet could cut your risk of cognitive impairment by more than one-third. That finding was released at the 2017 Alzheimer’s Association International Conference. In particular, researchers lauded what is called the Mediterranean diet, which is rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Lowering your blood pressure Findings unveiled at the 2018 Alzheimer’s Association International Conference suggested that lowering the top reading on your blood pressure — the “systolic” number — to 120 can reduce your risk of developing dementia by 15%. Having a baby Women have a much higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease than men. In fact, 3.4 million of the 5.5 million Americans with the disease are women, according to AARP. Studies suggest that pregnancy might offer some protection against developing dementia. Exercising more A study published in the online journal Neurology in 2018 found that Swedish women with a high level of midlife fitness were a whopping 88% less likely to be diagnosed with dementia than women who were just moderately fit. Protecting your hearing A growing body of evidence suggests a link between hearing loss and increased risk of dementia. Scientists don’t understand the precise reasons for this association, but findings presented at the 2017 Alzheimer’s Association International Conference suggest that reducing hearing loss in midlife could prevent some cases of age-related cognitive decline. Getting more sleep A little shut-eye helps your body rest and recover — and might keep your brain purring along through old age. As we reported a few years ago, researchers have discovered that one night of poor sleep increases the brain protein amyloid beta in otherwise healthy middle-aged people. That protein is linked to brain damage in neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s.