Can I Prevent Alzheimer's Through Lifestyle?

The cause of Alzheimer's disease is unknown currently. There are a handful of theories but no proven cause of the disease. While we all know it is a devastating disease to everyone involved, we may not realize that we can help prevent it from occurring in our own mind! There are several simple strategies to avoid the onset of Alzheimer's disease from attacking your own brain!

The first strategy to help prevent Alzheimer's disease is to eat a healthy diet and to follow an exercise program of any sort. A healthy heart and body is a necessary foundation to age successfully. We all get older, we cannot prevent that, but we can help our bodies deal with the passing of years. Dancing, walking, hiking, swimming and various workouts allow our bodies to function at a higher pace. Blood flow is increased throughout your entire body, including your brain, while you are exercising. Increased blood flow to your brain encourages the growth of new brain cells. A healthy diet is also very important to staying healthy and may aid in Alzheimer's prevention. A diet low in cholesterol, saturated fats and sugar is key. Eat foods high in fiber and consume large amounts of fruits and vegetables that are high is antioxidants. Some high fiber foods include: oats, bean, whole grain breads and pastas, and brown rice. Vitamin E rich foods include: blueberries, cranberries, apples skins, green leafy vegetables, and squash. Omega-3 fatty acids are also important to consume. These fatty acids can be found in fish (particularly salmon), flax oil and spinach. Loosing weight if you are overweight, not smoking or drinking, and the reduction of stress will also help manage your health as you age and help ward off Alzheimer's disease.

Another important strategy to prevent Alzheimer's is to protect your brain. Jarring of the brain has been linked to several cases of Alzheimer's. To do this simply wear a helmet when necessary and always wear your seatbelt. Automobile accidents cause head trauma in many cases when no seatbelt is worn. If you are involved in contact sports, always take the necessary precautions to protect your brain.

Socializing has also proven to be an effective prevention measure to Alzheimer's disease. Being involved with family and friends lessens depression and isolation. When you are in a community of people you naturally exercise your brain through conversations. Close friends may also aid is early detection of Alzheimer's and the earlier you detect the disease the more effective treatment will be as the disease progresses.

Maintaining a healthy brain is a key in Alzheimer's prevention and that can be done through mental exercise. By stimulating your brain you increase brain cells and connections and strengthen the brain cells you currently have. Learning new information helps to keep your brain active and healthy. Games, hobbies, language development, music and reading are all simple ways to exercise your brain daily!

While so much is unknown about this scary and devastating disease known as Alzheimer's, we know we want to prevent it in our own life. By following these simple lifestyles you may decrease your chances of developing Alzheimer's in your own life. If prevention is so simple, we have no reason to not try it out. By leading a healthy, social, and mental stimulating life, you may indeed be decreasing your chances of developing Alzheimer's later in your life!