- There has long been a heart-head theory. According to the Mayo Clinic, if you've sustained damage to your heart, the chances of developing AD or dementia are higher. The Alzheimer's Association contends that this is because the brain is nourished by blood vessels. When a stroke occurs or diabetes or high blood pressure ensues, the blood vessels are harmed, in turn, wreaking havoc on your brain.
- The National Institute on Aging endorsed a study that followed 1,700 seniors over age 65 for six years. It found that those seniors who exercised for at least 15 minutes, three times a week were 40 percent less likely to develop brain dementia like Alzheimer's than their counterparts who exercised less than three times a week. The National Institute on Aging believes that exercise may stimulate the blood vessels that transport the blood to the brain, and may even prompt the formation of connections between nerve cells.
- A Mediterranean diet may keep body and brain healthy, if a Columbia University Medical Center study is any indication. The study took nearly 200 Alzheimer's patients and monitored them for four-and-a-half years. Over the course of that time, 85 people died. Survivors were nearly 80 percent more likely to be those who adhered to a diet that's a departure from the typical Western diet. In other words, diets that were high in "good" fats like the Omega-3 found in oily fish such as salmon, legumes, fruits, cereals and leafy veggies proved more beneficial in preventing AD. Previous studies in mice have found that similar diets slowed the formation of the devastating amyloid plaques--the hallmark of an Alzheimer's-disordered brain.
- You can stave off AD by staying socially active--and the Chicago Health and Aging Study conducted by the University of Chicago has the data to prove it. Researchers found those seniors who engaged in group activities had higher cognitive functioning than those who were more isolated or introverted. The theory is that staying social can actually protect the brain. In other words, cognitive reserves are strengthened for use when parts of the brain begin to deteriorate with age.
- There have been numerous studies on the link between staying mentally active and Alzheimer's including the Case Western Reserve Study of more than 500 subjects. In this study, middle-aged volunteers who engaged in intellectually stimulating activities, like reading, puzzles and painting, were one-third less likely to develop AD as they got older, than those who didn't engage in these type of activities.
- The Alzheimer's Association reports there are six basic risk factors. Age, family history and genes are out of our control, but head injuries, damage to the heart and unhealthy aging brought on by things like alcohol abuse can be prevented. It's important to exercise (keep your heart rate up at least 30 minutes, three times a week), maintain a healthy weight, keep your stress in check and eliminate anything that might make you more susceptible to head trauma. That means always wearing a helmet when you ride a bike, or fall-proofing your home. Of course, the Alzheimer's Research and Prevention Foundation also encourages you to visit your doctor regularly, so you can keep tabs on your weight, blood pressure and cholesterol. The sooner a problem is detected, the earlier therapies are administered and the more effective the course of action may be.
