10 Ways to Help Prevent Alzheimer’s Disease

10 Ways to Help Prevent Alzheimer's Disease Exercise Regularly Completing aerobic exercise a few times a week can reduce dementia risk 40-50% Go for a 40-minute walk at a good pace 3 times a week to start 2. Eat a Healthy Diet Minimize intake of saturated and trans fats, which can elevate cholesterol levels Look for fruits and veggies that are high in vitamins and minerals like folate 3 Get Your Vitamin E Just 5 mg a day from natural foods can reduce risk of Alzheimer's Munch on nuts, seeds, avocados, tomatoes, or spinach Boost Your Omega-3 Intake Studies show people who eat diets rich in omega-3s have lower rates of Alzheimer's Find omega-3s in salmon, mackerel, tuna, flaxseeds, and chia seeds 5 Quit Smoking Smoking increases the odds of Alzheimer's in people over 65 by almost 79% Your brain benefits from improved circulation when you stop smoking 6 Keep Your Brain Active Study a foreign language, pick up a new hobby, read a book, or do a puzzle Work on your multitasking and communication skills to stay mentally fit 7 Get Plenty of Quality Sleep Regular sleep deprivation hinders your thinking and can make you irritable Set aregular sleep schedule and practice relaxation techniques before bed 8. 8 Keep Stress in Check Chronic, severe stress can shrink the hippocampus, an important area for memory in the brain Practice deep breathing and take time for relaxation or meditation every day 9. 9 Stay Socially Active Maintaining personal connections reduces chances of isolation and loneliness Try volunteering, set up a standing lunch date with a friend, or join a club Minimize 10 Alcohol Intake Heavy drinking can increase your risk for Alzheimer's Changes in the brain from alcohol abuse can only be improved in early stages Provided by: www.comfortkeeperscentralpennsylvania.com Sources: http://www.helpguide.org/elder/alzheimers_ prevention_slowing- down_treatment.htm http://www.alz.org/we_can_help_brain_health_maintain_your_brain.asp http://abcnews.go.com/Health/Wellness/ways-prevent-alzhei- mers-disease/story?id-19498458#3 http://healthyliving.msn.com/diseases/alzheimers-dis- ease/7-ways-to-prevent-alzheimers-disease