Can You Prevent Alzheimer's Disease?

 Are There Ways To Prevent Alzheimer's?

      As you age, many of you worry about developing Alzheimer's disease or related dementia. If you have a family member with Alzheimer's, you may be wondering about your family history and genetic risk. As many as 5.5 million Americans aged 65 years and over are living with Alzheimer's. More people are expected to develop the disease as they age—unless a way to prevent Alzheimer's disease is discovered. (ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)

Although scientists have done a lot of research and research, and more are in progress, so far nothing has been proven to prevent Alzheimer's disease-induced dementia. But researchers have identified promising methods and are learning more about what might—and may not—work.

You realize that changes in your brain can occur several years before the first symptoms of Alzheimer's appear. These premature brain changes point to a possible window of opportunity to prevent debilitating memory loss and other Alzheimer's symptoms. While studies can identify specific interventions that will prevent disease in many people, it's likely that many individuals may require a combination of Alzheimer's treatment based on their own risk factors.

Researchers are studying multiple approaches to prevent Alzheimer's. Some focus on treating Alzheimer's, some on lifestyle or other changes.

What Really Causes Alzheimer's?

Specialists agree that in the vast majority of cases, Alzheimer's, like other common chronic situations, may occur as a result of complex interactions among multiple aspects, including genetics, age, environment, lifestyle, and coexisting medical conditions. Although some risk factors, such as age or genes cannot be changed, other risk factors, such as high blood pressure and lack of exercise, can usually be changed to help reduce risk. Studies in this area could lead to new methods to detect those at high risk

How To Prevent Alzheimer's Naturally?

While getting older is the highest risk factor for dementia, some evidence suggests there are things you can do to help lower your risk. This includes staying active, eating healthy and training the mind.

Although there is not enough evidence that all healthy lifestyle choices can prevent Alzheimer's, you are aware that they can prevent other chronic problems. For example, reducing your alcohol intake may help reduce your risk of certain cancers, such as breast cancer. You can make as many healthy lifestyle choices as you like. They are all beneficial, and if they help you keep yourself away from Alzheimer's, all the better.

Flexing the power of the brain.

You've heard the quote "use it or lose it" before, and when it comes to cognitive activity, it's definitely true. The more you challenge yourself and your cognitive skills, the more likely you are to lessen the onset of dementia.

The good news is: you don't need to upgrade your brain health curriculum, because there is an app for that. The study, published in the Journal of Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine, cited cognitive training as a method for people to maintain cognitive function and improve several memory factors. Their research found that playing logic and memory-based games online can improve memory and logic skills, as well as help people over the age of 50 perform daily tasks such as navigating public transportation and managing personal finances.

Physical activities

Doing regular exercise is a good way to lower your risk of dementia. The best for your heart, circulation, weight and mental health.

You may find it difficult to start being more physically active, or worry that it means engaging in activities you don't enjoy. It is important to choose an activity that is suitable for you. You may find it useful to start with a little activity and then gradually grow.

There are 2 main types of exercise – aerobic activities and strength-building activities. Each kind will keep you fit in different ways. Doing a mix of these activities will support you in reducing your risk of dementia.

Schedule a dinner with your friends

New studies have given you all the other reasons to reach out and connect with your friends or forge new relationships with neighbors. For example, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that social isolation is associated with a 50% increased risk of dementia alongside other severe medical conditions.

Furthermore, research published in PLOS Medicine followed people for 28 years to see how lifestyle could affect aging, including cognitive skills. They found that having frequent social contact had a positive impact on the brain, developing a "cognitive reserve", reducing stress and encouraging other healthy behaviors.

Take this as a sign to call your friends and arrange a time for coffee or dinner.

Enough sleep

Beta-amyloid plaque is a neuropathologic feature of Alzheimer's disease. Small studies on sleep deprivation and Alzheimer's have shown that getting just one night's sleep deprivation can increase the beta-amyloid protein in your brain, recommending that sleep deprivation may increase the risk of beta-amyloid formation.

Other studies have shown that humans in their 50s and 60s who sleep 6 hours or less per night are more likely to develop dementia later in life, adding to the idea that inadequate sleep duration may increase your risk for developing cognitive impairment.

The plethora of research being conducted around how to naturally prevent Alzheimer's disease—and the emergence of better ways to assess and monitor brain health—offers a positive view of how the disease is perceived. In the future, the hope is that Alzheimer's disease and other types of dementia are found to be both preventable and treatable diseases.