(PCM) Today, more than 5 millions Americans have Alzheimer’s disease, and it is now being estimated that 11 million to 16 million people will have it by 2050.
The U.S. government says it will discover how to prevent and treat the disease by 2025, with one focus on the role of beta-amyloid plaques in the brain – a leading suspect in the form of dementia. That’s far off, and with no solid leads towards a cure, it may be a good idea to start taking preventative measures now. How do you keep your brain young and healthy? With exercise, stress management, and eating healthfully.
“Physical exercise is showing more and more promise,” says Reisa Sperling, head of the Center for Alzheimer Research and Treatment at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. “I don’t think there are definitive studies yet, but research does suggest that being in shape throughout life is helpful. And similarly, some exercise studies in patients who already have dementia show it seems to slow the rate of decline. There is some evidence that lower midlife cholesterol may be protective. And there’s more and more evidence that early-life cognitively stimulating activities may be helpful. So one thing we can do is make sure we stay intellectually, socially, and physically active throughout our lives and help our kids start these habits early.”
– Control your blood pressure and cholesterol by eating healthfully and exercising
– Manage stress the best you can. Exercise, meditate, socialize…whatever makes you calm and happy!
– Take omega 3s, eat walnuts!
– Take care of your dental health. Blocking the immune system’s reaction to gum disease helps your brain.
– Drink moderately!
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