Few conditions strike fear in the heart of men and women everywhere more than Alzheimer’s disease. For many people, it is more feared than cancer. After all, people do recover from cancer. The same cannot be said of Alzheimer’s disease, a condition affecting 5.7 million Americans and the people who love them.
There are people who believe it is possible to prevent the onset of Alzheimer’s disease as well as preventing the progression, when specific treatments begin early enough. While it may not be surprising that medical professionals guard against defining a single preventative action for avoiding Alzheimer’s disease, many factors associated with healthy living are believed to reduce Alzheimer’s and dementia risks.
One of the surprising notes, according to Mayo Clinic, is evidence supporting a reduced risk of developing both dementia and Alzheimer’s disease when following a Mediterranean diet. This diet is rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, fish, and olive oil. All of which promote heart health as well.
Incidentally, the Alzheimer’s Association also suggests that heart health plays a significant role in the development of Alzheimer’s with roughly 80 percent of patients diagnosed with the disease also having cardiovascular disease.
Since prevention is the best cure, it makes sense that preventing heart disease is a great step in the right direction for preventing Alzheimer’s disease. This includes things far beyond a healthy diet, however. People should also consider never smoking or quitting if they do.
Additionally, regular exercise and physical fitness are essential for preventing both conditions. Exercise is great for getting the blood flowing and moving oxygen throughout the body, especially to the brain. It is known to boost productivity, creativity, energy, and mental alertness, making it an excellent choice for keeping the brain healthy along with the rest of the body.
Even people who have mobility impairments continue to need daily exercise to prevent the development of heart disease and Alzheimer’s disease. This can be accomplished with the use of various mobility aids and through local exercise programs that utilize hydrotherapy.
Another brilliant move you can make to help prevent Alzheimer’s disease is to exercise your brain. Just as your body needs a good workout to get your juices flowing, so does your brain. The only thing that is different are the types of exercise that net the best responses. When it comes to exercising the brain, it is essential to work on boosting cognitive skills.
Everyday Health recommends learning to play an instrument, playing memory games, taking cooking classes, or even learning foreign languages to help exercise your brain. Other things you can do involve things like crossword puzzles, math problem solving, jigsaw puzzles, etc. Even activities like knitting, painting, playing video games, and drawing can help refine fine motor skills while exercising the brain in different ways.
While we struggle to find a cure for Alzheimer’s disease that will work for everyone, there are things you can do that may play vital roles in delaying the onset of the disease or slow its progression when caught in early stages. These things are among them.
Author, Freelance writer