When a loved one is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, it causes us to face the uncertainty of our own future. While there is no cure or treatment for the disease, there are positive lifestyle choices we can make now that will reduce our Alzheimer’s risk later.
Learn more about how you can prioritize prevention and promote better brain health in your everyday life.
Reducing Your Own Alzheimer’s Risk
Over 5.5 million people in the U.S. have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and that number is excepted to drastically increase by 2030.
In a recent survey, 66% of people over the age of 50 admitted they were afraid they would develop dementia while only 10% said they were frightened of getting cancer. Given the lack of treatment for the disease, it is not that surprising. All drug-based approaches to treat Alzheimer’s have failed and though many studies focus on prevention, there is still no proven way to slow its progression.
Fortunately, research has shown that we can prevent Alzheimer’s in our own lives – even if a loved one or parent has succumbed to the disease.
Many of the lifestyle choices that prevent Alzheimer’s also promote good heart health and overall health. They are:
- A limited sugar intake.
- An avoidance of foods high in salt.
- Good nutrition.
- Good weight management.
- Prioritizing quality rest and sleep.
- Quitting smoking.
- Reducing stress.
- Regular exercise.
Making positive lifestyle choices every day may mean changing years of bad habits for yourself or a loved one. But, when considering the alternative, it’s well worth the cost.
What other positive changes can you make today to reduce your Alzheimer’s risk? We’d like to hear your tips in the comments below.
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