Reducing Dementia Risks, Part I

Anyone who has witnessed someone deal with Alzheimer’s disease knows how cruel it can be. Although it can strike anyone and there isn’t a cure,  there are steps one can take to minimize the odds of developing the disease. There are factors under our control that are linked to a higher likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia. By looking at published research, we can adopt healthy lifestyle changes that may decrease our chances of developing dementia. Simultaneously, we are also improving the quality of our lives. There is always contradictory advice available about diet and lifestyle.  For instance, we see articles that proclaim eggs should be avoided because they cause heart disease. You can also read that eggs are the greatest food since vegetables because they contain all 20 protoeogenic amino acids. It can be hard to make sense of it all, but one shouldn’t tune out entirely.

Let’s look at some easy steps you can take to reduce your risk of developing Alzheimer’s or at least help you live a healthier life.
1. Heart-Healthy Lifestyle
The leading cause of death in America is heart disease. However, risk factors such as smoking and eating a high-fat diet are under an individual’s control. A heart-healthy lifestyle also lowers your risk of developing memory loss, particularly vascular dementia. Research suggests that vascular dementia can be caused by high blood pressure and heart disease. With that in mind, here’s the first advice:
Exercise regularly
Eat a healthy diet (low fat, low sugar, lots of vegetables)
Don’t smoke
Simple enough, but it’s not always easy. It is hard to break longstanding habits, and our hectic lives often aren’t conducive to healthy eating and exercise. Knowing this, try to incorporate increased activity into your daily routine. Take a walk at lunch and use the stairs instead of elevators. Simply parking at the rear of a parking lot is a great way to squeeze in more walking. And stay away from the couch & TV.
2. Use Your Brain
Research has shown that higher education levels are linked to decreased risk of cognitive decline.  This doesn’t mean you have to return to college!  Reading, puzzles, crafts, etc., activities that make you think help to exercise the brain.
3. Head Protection
The Alzheimer’s Association is very clear here: “There is a strong link between future risk of Alzheimer’s and serious head trauma, especially when injury involves loss of consciousness.” While you may not be involved in contact sports, that doesn’t remove all possibilities of injury. To minimize head injury risk, always wear a seat belt in a car and a helmet when cycling. Falls are also a cause of head injuries. If you or a loved one have limited mobility or vision problems, take extra precautions that assure the home is without fall-hazards.
To be continued in Part II.
Bringing useful news to educate our clients is one more way that Home Helpers has been making life easier for over a decade.  Call us today at 704-909-7958.  And as always, you can find us on our website,  Facebook and Google+!