Sanjana Mahendru
Alzheimer’s disease is a brain disorder that can reduce your thinking and learning abilities as well as destroy your memory and ability to perform the simplest functions. Alzheimer’s disease causes can be genetic or based on lifestyle and environmental factors.
Can you prevent Alzheimer’s disease? There is no permanent prevention or cure for Alzheimer’s disease. Aerobic exercise, brain training, a healthy diet, and other measures have all been shown to reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Dementia, the first stage of Alzheimer’s disease, can also be prevented. Here are 5 ways to prevent Alzheimer’s disease:
Quit Smoking- Smoking is one of the major causes of Alzheimer’s disease. In a study, it was found that people who smoke have an 80% higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease or dementia than those who have never smoked. When you quit smoking, it improves blood circulation in the brain and reduces inflammation, preventing Alzheimer’s disease and cognitive decline.
Perform Aerobic Exercises Daily- According to the Alzheimer’s Research & Prevention Foundation, physical activity, especially aerobic exercise, can prevent or delay Alzheimer’s disease by up to 50 percent. In a small study from 2017, people with Alzheimer’s disease who performed aerobic exercises such as cycling, running, and walking for 6 months were later found to experience improvements in their thinking, learning, and doing certain activities. Additionally, aerobic exercise is also an effective treatment for Alzheimer’s disease because it reduces the buildup of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in the brain—two major Alzheimer’s disease symptoms.
Eat a Nutritious Diet- Protection from Alzheimer’s disease and other chronic health issues like diabetes, arthritis, heart disease, and others is just one benefit of eating a nutrition-rich diet. Eat leafy green vegetables like bok choy, kale, broccoli, and whole grains, as well as fruits, for Alzheimer’s disease treatment. They are rich in vitamins, minerals, lean protein, and antioxidants, and they can help in the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease. According to a study, a Mediterranean diet lowers the risk of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) by 28% and the risk of Alzheimer’s disease by 48% after MCI.
Increase Your Social Engagement- Maintaining good social connections helps in the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease or reduces the risk of it. A 2018 study found that the risk of dementia was lower among the 7511 individuals who maintained social connections over a period of nine years. Connecting with people and socializing helps the brain exercise more by developing mental skills. These include better memory, verbal communication, listening skills, and much more.
Go for Cognitive Training- An active brain can help with better memory processing and the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease. According to studies, older adults who practiced accuracy and speed for 10 hours became faster at processing information and comprehending it. This type of exercise improves cognitive abilities, thinking, and learning, which prevents dementia. Brain exercises to prevent Alzheimer’s disease include solving crossword puzzles, learning a new language, reading newspapers, etc.
Although there is no medication for Alzheimer’s disease, there are things one can do to stop or postpone cognitive decline. Aerobic exercise, controlling your blood pressure and cholesterol levels, maintaining a healthy body weight, and many other factors can all help your brain cells work better. This will protect your brain from such destructive brain disorders and keep your brain active. Build strong social connections and start performing mental exercises so that you can lower your risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
