Introduction
The Alzheimer's Association says that Alzheimer's is the "sixth-leading cause of death in the United States." The disease kills brain cells, which leads to loss of memory and problems with thinking. While researchers aren't sure what causes Alzheimer's and there is currently no cure for the disease, there are diet changes and preventive measures that can help to reduce the chances of one day being diagnosed with this fatal and debilitating disease. Although preventing Alzheimer's disease is not possible, protecting the head, improving diet and exercising the brain can all help to keep the disease at bay.
Preventing Head Injuries
There are studies that show that brain injuries can lead to Alzheimer's. According to the Alzheimer's Association, "There appears to be a strong link between serious head injury and future risk of Alzheimer's." Protecting the head takes many forms. Always wear a seat belt when you are in a car or other vehicle. Wear a helmet when riding a bicycle, motorcycle or scooter. Also wear a helmet for sports like horseback riding and roller skating. Other head injuries can take place from falls. The bathroom is a place of frequent injuries. Bath rails around the tub can keep you safer, as can a non-skid bathtub.
Improving the Diet
According to the Alzheimer's Association, "Some of the strongest evidence links brain health to heart health." Disease like high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes weaken the blood vessels that carry blood to the brain. For example, if a person has high cholesterol, the arteries are clogged with plaque so less blood reaches the brain and the other organs. Taking fish oil or omega-3 fatty acid supplements is a great way to reduce cholesterol and get the essential fatty acids the body needs to repair and heal itself. Other good supplements are multi-vitamin and multi-mineral pills. These will give the body the nutrients it might not be getting from food. There are also herbal supplements that can help. Uva ursi cleans out the kidneys, which filter the blood every day. Milk thistle improves the function of the liver, which filters toxins form the body.
Other ways to improve your health are to abstain from alcohol, cigarettes and recreational drugs, all of which add toxins to the body that impair health. It is also a good idea to lose weight because toxins are stored in the fatty deposits. Detoxifying the body on a regular basis cleans out the accumulated wastes and debris. Drinking lots of water each day helps to flush toxins out of the cells and tissues. Exercising also helps get the body stronger and into better shape. Healthy aging may help keep the brain healthy and may even offer some protection against developing Alzheimer's or related diseases.
Exercising the Brain
Keeping the brain active is a good way to increase the synaptic connection between the brain cells. Reading books, playing chess and doing crossword puzzles are a few things to do to keep the brain functioning at high capacity. Hobbies involving hand-eye coordination like playing the piano, knitting, woodworking and similar activities also keep your brain alert and can help to delay the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease.
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