10 Ways To Reduce The Risk Of Getting Alzheimer’s
Despite constant scientific research on Alzheimer’s, today there are no treatments that can cure or curb the disease; at best, it is only possible to delay its development. For this reason, prevention is very important.
Can Alzheimer’s Really Be Prevented?
Of course, there is no type of treatment or vaccine that prevents the onset of this degenerative disease, but several studies have identified some methods that reduce the risk of getting Alzheimer’s.
Scientifically, it cannot be said that these methods always and in any case work 100%, but they certainly help. In any case, the more prepared we are, the better we will react: since there is no cure, we can at least cling to the hope of being able to avoid or delay the disease.
Behaviors that help prevent Alzheimer’s
- The intellectual exercise
It is essential to exercise the brain to keep it functioning well, as if it were a muscle like any other. Mental activity has been associated with an increase in cognitive reserve, which in turn leads to a lower risk of senile dementia.
- Cognitive training
Cognitive training requires one more step than the exercise in the previous point: it involves spending a certain amount of time organized for brain training. Studies show that cognitive training is an effective tool for improving memory, reasoning and language skills.
- Not smoking
This is nothing new: smoking increases the risk of developing various types of cancer and other cardiopulmonary diseases. However, it is not as well known that tobacco can severely damage the brain : according to the World Health Organization, 14% of Alzheimer’s cases worldwide can be caused by tobacco. Even secondhand smoke can increase the risk of senile dementia.
- To study
According to the research, studying reduces the risk of cognitive impairment. In this case, by “studying” we mean university courses, learning a foreign language or learning to play a musical instrument.
- Check your blood sugar
According to studies, there is an important relationship between high blood sugar levels and the risk of developing senile dementia; not surprisingly, Alzheimer’s is also called “type 3 diabetes”. Despite not having diabetes, people with a lot of blood sugar are more likely than others to suffer from senile dementia.
- Check blood pressure
Studies claim that maintaining the right blood pressure level through exercise and a heart-healthy diet can reduce the risk of suffering from Alzheimer’s. Even in cases where efforts to exercise and stay on a diet are unsuccessful, using medicines to regulate blood pressure can reduce the risk of developing the disease in question.
- A healthy diet
A healthy diet, including berries, apples, nuts, wine (in moderation), caffeine, chocolate, fish, olive oil, improves brain functioning; the Mediterranean diet in general provides this important benefit.
- Maintain adequate weight
Maintaining a correct weight is essential to enjoy good health, not only physical, but also the health of brain functions. We must be careful with this aspect throughout life and not only during the third age: maintaining an adequate weight during middle age significantly reduces the risk of suffering from senile dementia.
- Do exercise
Exercise is strongly linked to a low risk of developing diseases such as Alzheimer’s.
- Take vitamins B12, D and E
The deficiency of these three vitamins is often accompanied by a cognitive malfunction : the lack of vitamin B12 can cause considerable memory loss and severe confusion; with the intake of vitamin B12, vitamin D and vitamin E the risk of getting Alzheimer’s can be lowered.
