Shaun Dmello
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Written By: Shaun Dmello | Published : July 25, 2014 6:34 PM IST
Alzheimer's disease has no known cure to date, which is what makes preventive care so much more important. Keep in mind that there are no proven methods of prevention, but medical experts agree that certain lifestyle changes can help to minimize the risk of developing Alzheimer's or at the very least delay the onset and progression of the disease.
While researchers continue to investigate and gather supporting evidence here are some steps that you can take to lower your risk of developing Alzheimer's:
Stay active Regular exercise and physical activity can go a long way to keeping you healthy and fit as you age. Some studies indicate that physical activity helps to boost endurance of cells and tissues tooxidative stress and other processes that are important in neurogenesis and memory improvement.
Mental stimulation Make it a point to engage in intellectually stimulating activities, whether solving puzzles at your coffee table, or debating philosophical and political conundrums!
Healthy eating Increase your intake of fresh fruits and vegetables, while cutting down on unhealthy foods like red meats, fried food and junk food. The Mediterranean diet is widely regarded as one of the healthiest and most balanced diets. Claims that have been backed by several studies suggest that it could help lower the risk of Alzheimer's.
Optimal weight Obesity may not be a direct cause for Alzheimer's but it does increase the risk because of other health conditions that develop as a result of obesity.
Kick the butt Smoking poses a variety of health risks, so it's only logical to assume that it ups the risk of Alzheimer's as well. Either way, quitting smoking will improve your general health, reducing the risk of various health complications and conditions that would otherwise increase the risk of Alzheimer's.
Most of these changes may not have a direct bearing on your risk of Alzheimer's, but they do have a definite impact on your general health and well-being, which will reduce the risk of various health conditions that would otherwise make you more susceptible to Alzheimer's.
As the end-goal with all of these lifestyle changes is the betterment of your health, it should go without saying that you need to actively monitor your health with regular check-ups and seek treatment for any health condition as soon as it surfaces. Diabetes, high cholesterol or hypertension can put you at risk of developing Alzheimer's. Psychological problems like anxiety disorders and depression can also greatly increase the risk, so it's important to seek help when needed.
Image source: Getty images
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References:
Radak Z, Hart N, Sarga L, Koltai E, Atalay M, Ohno H, Boldogh I. Exercise plays a preventive role against Alzheimer's disease. J Alzheimers Dis. 2010;20(3):777-83. doi: 10.3233/JAD-2010-091531. Review.PubMed PMID:20182027.
Wilson RS, Mendes De Leon CF, Barnes LL, Schneider JA, Bienias JL, Evans DA, Bennett DA.Participation in cognitively stimulating activities and risk of incident Alzheimer disease.JAMA. 2002 Feb 13;287(6):742-8. PubMed PMID:11851541.
Scarmeas N, Stern Y, Tang MX, Mayeux R, Luchsinger JA. Mediterranean diet and risk for Alzheimer's disease. Ann Neurol. 2006 Jun;59(6):912-21. PubMed PMID:16622828; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3024594.
Naderali EK, Ratcliffe SH, Dale MC. Obesity and Alzheimer's disease: a link between body weight and cognitive function in old age. Am J Alzheimers Dis Other Demen. 2009 Dec-2010 Jan;24(6):445-9. doi: 10.1177/1533317509348208. Review.PubMed PMID: 19801534.
