Alzheimer’s disease is a major issue for people when they grow old. The situation is indeed frightening. You might have to keep your fingers crossed and await a pharmaceutical remedy. However, you might heave a sigh of relief when you know that Alzheimer’s disease can be prevented. Of course, it’s an encouraging piece of news.
As per several researchers, you can reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s by introducing some effective lifestyle changes. Abiding by them can bring around a lot of improvement in the conditions, thus helping the affected lead a normal life. The following points will discuss these in detail.
Regular Workouts
The Alzheimer’s Research and Prevention Foundation emphasizes regular workouts. According to experts, physical exercise can cut down the risk by almost 50 percent. Workouts can even decelerate the deterioration in people who have started to display cognitive issues. Exercise boosts the brain’s ability to recall the old connections, maintain them, and make new relationships. Aim for two and a half-hour of exercise sessions a week. Include strength training and cardio.
For beginners, swimming and walking are the two best exercises. Muscle building has a direct effect on your brain. Weight training and resistance training on moderate levels boost brain health. Above the age of 65 should include two to three strength sessions in their routine every week. Aside from these, head injuries can prove to be fatal in old age. The injury can go on to accentuate the risk of Alzheimer’s. The head should always be protected while working out. For balance and coordination workouts, you can try Tai Chi or yoga.
Social Engagement
Humans are social creatures. Therefore, it becomes difficult for human beings to live in isolation. The brains, too, won’t allow that. Keeping oneself engaged is an excellent remedy to ward off the symptoms of Alzheimer’s in the later stages of life. Therefore, it’s mandatory to develop and maintain strong connections with people you strike a chord. To stay socially active doesn’t imply that you have to be a social butterfly or bring life into a party.
All you need is to make a face-to-face connection with people you consider close to you and who have true intentions of listening to you whenever you want to share something. While many of you start to live a life of seclusion as you grow older, it’s time for you to meet people and also find new friends. How can you do that?
You can sign up for a social group, attend group classes at a community college, or even a gym. It would also help if you communicate with your neighbors more, drop in at a center for seniors or a community in your locality, volunteer, and meet your friends at least once a week. Besides that, visiting public places often would be a great way to keep your social life active too!
Healthy Diet
Healthy food and proper nutrition can heal any disease, including Alzheimer’s. When someone has Alzheimer’s, brain cells fail to communicate with each other. Medically speaking, Alzheimer’s is just like diabetes in your brain. Lack of nutrition and metabolic disorders are the factors responsible for the brain cells not being able to communicate and send signals. Good eating habits can help in reducing inflammation and keeping the brain healthy.
To prevent Alzheimer’s, one must cut down on sugar consumption. Refined carbs and sugary items can lead to inflammation in your brain. Keeping a tab on your weight is necessary as being overweight and obese can accentuate the risk of Alzheimer’s up to three times. A Mediterranean diet is apt as it decreases the risk of developing Alzheimer’s. It is important to include omega-3 fatty acids in the daily diet.
Mental Stimulation
Always aim to learn new things. You can learn a foreign language, learn how to play a musical instrument, learn how to paint, etc. These can keep your brain active. Challenge your brain as much as you can. Solving puzzles and riddles or playing card, number, or word games tend to stimulate your brain cells.
Aside from that, you can practice techniques to memorize as much as you can. All in all, you need to allow your brain to work. The more it is in action, the less will be the risk of developing Alzheimer’s.
Getting at least 6 to 8 hours of sound sleep is essential. Additionally, stressing your mind and having negative thoughts is a strict no-no. Healthy and active living truly has its benefits.