As a society, Americans live relatively unhealthy lives. Many people eat to excess, get very little exercise, smoke tobacco and drink alcohol, all of which can have negative impacts on overall health and stand in the way of spiritual growth and development. Now, a new study has shown that these excesses may also impair mental function.
A team of researchers from the University of California, Davis wanted to assess the degree to which smoking, high blood pressure and diabetes affect cognitive function. They took various biometric measurements from a group of 1,352 participants, then continued to assess individuals' mental function for several years.
The results showed that those who had high blood pressure, diabetes or smoked at the outset of the investigation were more likely to develop what are known as white matter hyperintensities. These are areas of blood vessel damage in the brain that contribute to loss of planning and decision-making ability.
"These factors appeared to cause the brain to lose volume, to develop lesions secondary to presumed vascular injury, and also appeared to affect its ability to plan and make decisions as quickly as 10 years later," said study author Charles DeCarl.
He added that the findings have important implications, as many people continue to live lifestyles that involve tobacco and foods that contribute to high blood pressure and diabetes. Future generations could struggle with a heavy burden of cognitive impairment, particularly among older individuals.
Ilchi Lee says that the key to spiritual growth and enlightenment is to maintain healthy mental function and to learn how to access areas of the mind that may have previously been inaccessible. While accomplishing this can lead to significant spiritual benefits, it is nearly impossible when a person's mind is not functioning at its peak.
