There are no cures for Alzheimer’s disease at this time, and just a handful of possibly promising medications on the horizon that will take years to test, perfect, and get on the market. So what can you do to prevent it?
The lifestyle modifications that I will discuss have all been scientifically proven to delay or decrease the chances of dementia. Actually, the better way to say that is there are studies that show links between these modifications and a lower rate of dementia. No causations, just associations.
The interventions I describe are also beneficial for your loved one who already has Alzheimer’s disease or another type of dementia. They can help the patient retain as much function as possible for a longer period of time.
Harvey actually lived into all of these lifestyles his entire life, and still he developed Alzheimer’s disease. So these modifications aren’t guarantees, but they’re the best that medical science has to offer today.
Too, you’ll notice that all these interventions are suggestions made for all people to have a healthy, full life. Optimally managing your diabetes, hypertension and coronary artery disease decreases your risk of dementia. What’s good for the heart is good for the brain.
Sleep: This is a relatively new suggestion for overall good health and Alzheimer’s disease prevention in particular. Though we have known for years that sleep is important, we now have studies that prove good sleep is linked to better health. The recommendation is for 7-9 hours of good sleep per night. A healthy brain needs restorative sleep to maintain its best functioning, and deep sleep actually clears toxic amyloid from the brain. Too, research is telling us that you cannot “catch up” on sleep on the weekends.
Engage your brain: Learning new things is one of the best ways to keep your brain healthy. Optimal activities for this include learning a musical instrument or a new foreign language. A job that requires a high level of mental acuity can be protective. Even patients with dementia should be encouraged to keep their brains active using games, conversation, and puzzles. This should not be a chore.
Engage in social activities: Isolation is actually associated with dementia. One form of isolation that makes patients particularly vulnerable is hearing loss. Too, as dementia progresses, a patient and their caregiver may retreat further into isolation.
Diet: The diet recommended for prevention of Alzheimer’s disease is the Mediterranean diet. This diet has also been shown to lower the risk of heart disease and diabetes.
Exercise: Your physician has probably told you at some point that moderate exercise is good for your health. Of course! Moderate exercise is defined as at least 150 minutes a week, divided any way you want. Choose something you enjoy doing, and it is less of a chore. Challenging yourself to go longer or stronger can also make it a game. You should also include weight training, stretching, and balance training in your exercise routine.
And remember to be very wary of products that claim to prevent or slow down the progression of Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias.
3 Responses
Love and miss seeing you. WhenT to your office for a visit. Saw the PA for a upper respiratory infection. Liked her. The off looks nice but really don’t know any one any more. You can’t even call the office like before. I had to call some office guy that scheduled everything.
I hope you are enjoying retirement and enjoying your blog😍
In order to get 8 hours of sleep at night I have to take an over the counter sleep aid (Z-quil). Otherwise I can only sleep 3 and maximum 5 a night. I do not nap in the daytime at all. I have tried to nap but doesn’t happen for me. Z quil does not leave any aftereffects the next day.
Anne, I wish there was a sure-fire way to get the 7-8 hours a sleep we need. Without medication. Talk to your doctor, but there are concerns even about products like Z-quil. Which is more important? Sleep or avoiding these products? I really don’t have the answer.