A Youthful Approach to Alzheimer’s Prevention

Alzheimer’s may be a neurodegenerative disease most commonly found in elderly victims, but its prevention must engage the mind and body from a young age.

If you think you’re too young to start taking precautions against such “old people problems,” don’t be so sure – in order to prevent a disease, you have to be one step ahead of it. A common misconception about Alzheimer’s disease is that it preys only on the elderly, but this is not always the case. A small percentage of those affected by the disease have an early onset form that can reveal itself in people in their 40s, more than 20 years earlier than the average case, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. Recent findings from studies published in The Lancet Neurology, November 6, 2012 issue also indicate that the inherited form of the disease may be detectable more than 20 years before symptoms begin. So no matter who or how old you are, taking preventative measures against Alzheimer’s disease now can help prevent you from becoming one of more than five million Americans suffering from it. 

Solid defense against Alzheimer’s disease requires three main players, according to the Alzheimer’s Research & Prevention Foundation: a healthy diet, stress management, and ample exercise.

1. Diet

Our brains may not be the first thing on our minds when evaluating our diets, but the foods that feed our bodies feed our brains, too. Two easy but crucial dietary changes that will greatly decrease your risk of developing Alzheimer’s are increasing your intake of Omega-3 and antioxidants. You can easily stock up on Omega-3, a type of good fatty acids that are essential to healthy brain function, by eating fish on a regular basis or taking a fish oil supplement. Antioxidants, such as Vitamins C and E that can be found in many green and orange fruits and vegetables, help eliminate unstable cells called free radicals from your body and prevent them from damaging healthy cells.

2. Stress

Stress is a part of daily life, but high levels of prolonged stress can have negative effects long after your problems are gone, causing brain damage and other health issues linked to Alzheimer’s. The first step in this solution is eliminating unnecessary sources of stress in your life, such as anxiety-inducing people, activities or responsibilities. A little stress is necessary and even good, but don’t overexert yourself to the detriment of your mental health. To deal with necessary sources of stress, such as family or career demands, find and practice a relaxation technique that fits your personality, which may include practices like meditation or calming exercise.

3. Exercise

Just as regular exercise is key to maintaining a healthy body, it also benefits your brain. In fact, following an exercise program can reduce your risk of developing Alzheimer’s up to 50 percent, according to the Alzheimer’s Research and Prevention Foundation. And it doesn’t matter much what you do as long as it gets your heart pumping for about 30 minutes three times per week, so go for a bike ride around the neighborhood, participate in a balance training class or join your local community center. You can also watch for opportunities in your community to practice prevention while raising awareness and join a local fundraiser such as an Alzheimer’s 5K run.

These practices are not only key elements in the prevention of Alzheimer’s, but they also help fight other serious diseases such as cancer and heart disease. The earlier you begin taking preventative measures, the easier it will be to turn them into habits and the more effective they will be.