Do Cats Affect Health?

If you are already a cat owner or lover, then you already know about all of the intangible benefits that owning a cat brings to your life. The constant companionship and entertainment are something that most cat owners would tell you they would prefer to never live without. However, in addition to all of the warm and fuzzy memories that cats can bring you, there is a long list of health benefits that make owning a cat a great investment in a healthy lifestyle. 

Cats Lower Your Stress Level


If you are looking for a way to improve your heart health, owning a cat just might be what the doctor ordered. Studies show that petting a cat when you are feeling stressed or anxious can almost instantly lower your anxiety level. 


Cat Owners Sleep Better


Stuides in the UK have shown that women who sleep with their cats in bed at night are more likely to get restful sleep for longer. Cats can give you a sense of calm and companionship, which helps you to relax and fall asleep faster. Getting an adequate amount of sleep at night is important for a wide range of health conditions. 


Cats Might Boost Your Immune System


From getting exposure to cat hair and other associated dander, you can reduce your risk of developing asthma. In addition, you may increase your resistance to allergens later in life. 


Cats Reduce Your Risk of Stroke


Studies have proven that cat owners are less likely to suffer from a stroke. Because cats require relatively little maintenance as pets, cat owners are able to get all of the benefits of companionship from cats without having to invest significant time and energy into caring for them. This is one of the reasons why cats make for sure a great pet for elderly people or those who have limited mobility.


Cats Can Improve Your Socialization


It is very important to stay connected to others as you age. Owning a cat is a common bond that you can nurture with new friends to give you a natural conversation starter. Making sure that you seek out the company of others is important because it keeps you mentally stimulated and helps prevent depression. This can be difficult for adults with social anxiety. Cats may help to reduce social anxiety in group situations. 

How BMI Can Affect Brain Function

It may come as a surprise that your BMI could have a serious impact on your brain function as you age. The main reason for this is that having a higher BMI means that your overall inflammation levels are much higher than average. This has been shown to have a negative effect on brain activity. Right now, there has only been a correlation demonstrated between higher levels of body mass and lower cognitive function, and a causal link has yet to be fully established. 

In order to test for the true link between a higher BMI and impaired cognitive function, a study would also need to be conducted on whether reducing overall levels of inflammation in the body can also improve cognition. This remains to be seen in human trials. If this proves true, then more anti-inflammatory drugs would be prescribed to adults to manage systemic inflammation and to improve brain function at the same time. 

While the field of research on the effect of BMI on brain function is still in a state of flux, there is no denying that maintaining a healthy weight is a very positive thing to do for your health. We have known for years that a healthy BMI can reduce your risk of developing many life-threatening diseases, such as cancer, type-2 diabetes and stroke, but we now have even more reason to be mindful of overall BMI. 

In general, cognitive function is expected to decline as you age. However, this does not mean that you should simply succumb to allowing your brain to slow down at a faster rate than absolutely necessary. There is plenty of research that shows you can slow this process down by consuming a diet that is high in antioxidants, such as berries, in order to increase brain activity. Also, diets that are full of whole foods are better suited for helping you maintain a healthy weight and BMI. By getting physical exercise on a daily basis, you can also encourage your brain to function at a higher level. Studies have shown that your brain responds positively to intense exercise, which can be incorporated into your daily routine to make sure that you are slowing down cognitive decline as much as possible. At the same time, you will be helping yourself maintain a healthy weight.