One of the main worries that many of us have as we age is Alzheimer’s disease. It can be frightening to consider getting the illness, especially if you’ve seen a loved one have dementia. The reality is much more reassuring than what you may have been told—that all you can do is wait and hope for a medical cure. You can take steps to lower your risk of exhibiting symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias or to slow the decline if you’ve already been diagnosed.
You can increase your chances of lifelong brain health and preserve your cognitive abilities for longer by identifying and controlling your risk factors and making simple but effective lifestyle changes. Alzheimer’s disease is a complicated condition with numerous risk factors. Some factors are beyond your control, such as your age and genetics. However, you have control over some crucial advice for leading a healthy lifestyle for your brain.
- Maintaining a healthy mind and social life
People who are mentally and socially active throughout their lives have lower rates of dementia. By reading, picking up a foreign language, trying out new hobbies or activities, and keeping a busy social life, you may be able to lower your risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia. Moreover, interventions like brain training computer games can improve cognition over a short period, but it is unclear whether this can help prevent dementia.
- Daily aerobic exercise
Aerobic exercise helps older adults with AD reduce their psychological and behavioral symptoms. Evidence supports the idea that getting 30 minutes of exercise each day is essential for preventing Alzheimer’s. Six thousand women aged 65 and older participated in an eight-year study examining the relationship between mental capacity and physical activity. It was found that more active women had lower rates of cognitive function deterioration than less enthusiastic women.
- Keep a balanced diet
A Mediterranean diet may lower your risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. This diet emphasizes whole grains, fruits, vegetables, fish, shellfish, and other healthy fats while consuming little red meat.
Antioxidants may influence the brain’s aging-related changes. Berries have been shown to enhance cognitive function in rats and mice in both healthy-aging and AD-affected animals. Turmeric, a yellowish spice used in curry, contains curcumin as its primary component. It is an effective antioxidant. Rodents’ brains have been shown to develop harmful amyloid plaques less frequently when curcumin is present.
- Quality sleep
There are several connections between irregular sleep patterns and the onset of dementia and Alzheimer’s. The significance of getting enough rest to clear the brain of toxins. Others have connected inadequate slumber to increased brain levels of beta-amyloid, a sticky protein that can further thwart the deep sleep required for memory formation. You may be more susceptible to developing or worsening Alzheimer’s disease symptoms if you experience sleep deprivation every night, which slows your thinking, affects your mood, or both.
