Ways You Can Prevent Alzheimer's

Alzheimer's disease affects over four million people in the United States alone. It’s a disease that destroys a person’s life by taking away their memory and their ability to live on their own and care for themselves. There is no known cure for this debilitating disease right now, although scientists are researching new treatments all the time in hopes of discovering a way to prevent Alzheimer’s altogether. It’s one of those diseases that strikes fear in the hearts of us all. Are we at risk for the disease? Is there a way to prevent Alzheimer’s?

Current research shows that there are several proactive things we all can do to increase our chances of not getting Alzheimer’s. While no one can say for sure, we can take some healthy precautions to prevent Alzheimer’s. Lifestyle and environment can play a significant factor in staying healthy, regardless what our genetic makeup may be. Think of it this way, a healthy lifestyle helps promote a healthy brain.


What You Should Avoid

There are several known things to avoid if you want to prevent Alzheimer’s disease. Even though Alzheimer’s is a very complex disease and knowing how to prevent it is a major challenge, a number of factors do increase your risk for the disease and these you’ll want to be aware of and avoid. A diet high in fat and carbohydrates has been shown to increase your risk of getting heart disease or stroke, and these have a connection to an increased risk for Alzheimer’s. Smoking is another bad habit that can increase your chances of Alzheimer’s. A sedentary lifestyle should also be avoided. And don’t let your mind grow dull either. Stay active by planning social activities with your friends, joining clubs, and attending concerts and museums.


What You Should Do

One way to prevent Alzheimer’s is to commit yourself to lifelong learning. Trying out a new recipe for dinner or learning how to knit, playing a new game, or studying a foreign language are all ways to keep your mind vital and alive.

Your diet and exercise habits are two very proactive ways you can prevent Alzheimer’s. Try to include fish in your diet weekly, especially those high in omega3 oils. Taking a fish oil supplement too has been shown to have a positive impact on brain health and function. Eat lots of fruits and vegetables and get the right kinds of protein.

Your thoughts have incredible power – thinking positively has a positive physical effect while negative thoughts can lead to depression (which is thought to be a risk factor in developing Alzheimer’s). Don’t underestimate the power of your mind and the importance of faith in preventing Alzheimer’s.