How to Keep Alzheimer’s at Bay with Lifestyle Changes
The National Institute on Aging (NIA) in the US estimates that about 6 million Americans, most of whom are aged 65 years and older, have Alzheimer’s disease. This mental illness is also the country’s seventh leading cause of death. Understanding how to keep Alzheimer’s at bay has become essential as the prevalence of this disease continues to rise.
What is Alzheimer’s disease?
Alzheimer’s disease is a form of dementia that slowly impairs a person’s cognitive skills. As it progresses, people with the illness find it difficult to perform even simple, everyday tasks.
It was named after Dr. Alois Alzheimer who, in 1906, discovered several abnormal plaques and tangles in the brain tissues of a woman who died of an unusual mental illness. The patient’s symptoms included memory loss, speech problems, and erratic behavior.
Today, modern medicine knows that apart from plaques and tangles, a person with Alzheimer’s also exhibits lost connections between neurons in the brain. Neurons are nerve cells that transmit messages from the brain to the organs and muscles of the body and vice versa.
Alzheimer’s Prevention Tips: Worthwhile Strategies
While there is no known cure for Alzheimer’s, various studies indicate promising Alzheimer’s prevention tips that may help reduce the risk of this disease.
Increasing physical activity
A study found on PubMed Central, the online library of the National Institute for Biotechnological Information (NCBI), says that “the human body was designed for physical activity that challenges our resting physiologic homeostasis” — activity that benefits the brain.
In other words, bodily exercise benefits our brains too. Physical activity improves our heart health, mobility, and independence. It also reduces risks for diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, depression, high blood pressure, and stroke, which affect or contribute to cognitive decline.
“Aging individuals in good physical health can expect enhanced cognitive reserves and a slower aging process. Even when patients begin to experience cognitive decline, the decline can improve using exercise as an intervention,” stressed the study.
The paper also noted that the cognition and mood of patients with Alzheimer’s disease improved with exercise.
Training your mind
Engaging your mind in activities designed to sharpen your reasoning skills, memory retention, and processing speed can help delay or slow down cognitive decline.
A study called ACTIVE, short for Advanced Cognitive Training for Independent and Vital Elderly, found that “cognitive training improved the abilities of healthy older adults over age 65.”
The clinical trial had an average age of 73 at the start of the study. It found that participants who engaged in activities that focused on sharpening their memory, reasoning, and processing speed retained their improvements in the said areas up to 10 years after completing their training.
However, even if it’s not specific cognitive training, the National Health Services or NHS of the UK also point out that there is some evidence suggesting that “rates of dementia are lower in people who remain mentally and socially active throughout their lives.”
Activities that can sharpen the mind include learning a new language, playing musical instruments, participating in group sports, picking up new hobbies, and volunteering in community initiatives.
Embracing a Healthy Lifestyle
Alongside mental and physical activity, lifestyle choices are crucial for how to keep Alzheimer’s at bay. Abstaining from smoking, limiting alcohol intake, and avoiding other health risks can support the body and mind in maintaining their optimal functional states.
Although researchers have yet to pinpoint the exact cause of Alzheimer’s, and a cure remains elusive, we can still rely on proven practices that promote overall health and well-being. Following these Alzheimer’s prevention tips can be a proactive approach to supporting brain health and potentially reducing your risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
