Healthy Living Tips that Cure Dementia

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You can’t stop the aging process, but you can prevent early symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. Studies show that the best cure for dementia is living healthy.

For now, you can keep wearing deodorant

Remember when people thought that Alzheimer’s disease was caused by aluminum in underarm deodorant?  Well, thank goodness the Alzheimer’s Association has debunked that myth.  But one thing we do know for certain: by leading a healthy lifestyle, you have the ability to prevent early onset dementia, and delay the symptoms of memory loss in the elderly.

Live healthy, live longer

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Here are 12 practical healthy living tips that scientists believe help to prevent the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease:

1. Quit smoking. According to research, smoking cigarettes increases your chances of developing Alzheimer’s disease, even more than lack of exercise.
2. Lose Weight. People who gain substantial weight in their 40’s are more likely to suffer dementia earlier than their thinner peers are.
3. Avoid type 2 Diabetes. Diabetics who fail to maintain their blood-sugar levels are more likely to experience Alzheimer’s disease symptoms than non-diabetics are.
4. Don’t worry about it. Stress, anxiety, and depression are common psychological factors that contribute to the onset of dementia.  If you suffer the loss of a loved one, or experience any other trauma, it’s crucial that you seek counseling.
5. Work your body. Exercise is one of the greatest cures for Alzheimer’s disease, according to a study published by The National Academy of Sciences.
6. Work your noodle. The more you use your brain, the longer it stays in tip-top condition.  According to a study by York University, bilingual individuals have greater control over the executive control center of the brain, the part responsible for time-awareness, formulation of plans, problem solving, and self-awareness.  As a result, bilingual Alzheimer’s patients experience the first signs of dementia approximately 5 years later than non-bilingual adults.
7. Get to know your neighbors. A study by Rush Medical School found that elderly people with the greatest “lifespace” fared better than most in regard to Alzheimer’s disease symptoms.  Basically, people go out for walks, mingle with others, and lead a healthy social life are 75% less likely to suffer from early onset dementia than those who remain indoors all day.
8. Avoid high voltage. Although living by a low-voltage power line is not dangerous, a study conducted in Switzerland confirms that proximity to a 220-380 kV power line increases your chances of getting Alzheimer’s by over 200%.
9. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association published a report proving that people who eat a healthy diet of vitamin-enriched fruits and vegetables are less likely to experience memory loss than people who don’t eat fresh plant-based foods every day.
10. Increase Omega-3, but decrease Omega-6. Your brain loves Omega-3 fatty acids, and absorbs it better than other oils.  Omega-3 oils from fish, flax seeds, and walnuts boost brain power, while vegetable oils that contain Omega-6 have the opposite effect; studies by the Gladstone Institute of Neurological Diseases in San Francisco suggest that Omega-6 oils may contribute to the onset of Alzheimer’s disease.
11. Protect your cranium. This seems like common sense, but in your old age, it is more important than ever to avoid falls that may lead to head injuries, which often lead to dementia in the elderly.
12. Increase vitamin B12 intake. A high correlation exists between vitamin B12 deficiency and early signs of dementia, such as Alzheimer’s disease.  Vitamin B12 helps the nervous system by protecting the nerve sensors, in addition to preventing brain atrophy in the elderly.  To prevent B12 deficiency, the elderly should include vitamin B12 supplements in their daily regimen, from either B12 pills, B12 shots, or a vitamin B12 patch.

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Related reading:

Raise your IQ with Sudoku- 10 Free Online Games for Brains

Ten Bites to Better Brain Power

Adult ADHD Could Lead to Dementia

Can Aerobics Cure Alzheimer’s Disease?

FDA Approves Brain Scan to Detect Alzheimer’s Disease

Feed your Brain Something You’ll never Forget

Sources:

Alzheimer’s Prevention – Lifestyle Changes That Protect the Brain – Health Tip – RealAge

Want to Avoid Alzheimer’s? Here’s How- FOX News

Is This Another Way to Avoid Alzheimer’s? Psychology Today

Alzheimer’s Association- Myths

Tags: causes of dementia, Cure for dementia, Dementia in the elderly, Early onset Alzheimer’s, Early symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, Signs Dementia, Stages of Alzheimer’s

This entry was posted on Tuesday, September 13th, 2011 at 5:12 am and is filed under Alzheimer's Disease. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.