Preventing Alzheimer's: 4 Life Changes To Make Today

By 2050, it is expected that the number of American individuals that will be diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease will have tripled. It is anticipated that roughly 14 million Americans will have the disabling disease, as opposed to the nearly 5 million that had the disease in 2010. This number is alarming, but there is something that can be done about it. There are four changes that you can make in your life right now that will help prevent you from developing Alzheimer's disease in the future.

1. Focus on Your Nutrition.

Research has shown that there are certain foods, vitamins, minerals and nutrients that may help the body fight off Alzheimer's disease. According to the Alzheimer's Association, your diet should consist of fruits and vegetables with dark skins. This is because they have the most antioxidant properties. Some of these fruits include blackberries, raspberries, strawberries and raisins. Some of these vegetables include spinach, broccoli, red bell peppers and onions. It's also important to increase your intake of vitamin C, E and B12.

2. Get Active.

If you lead a busy life, it can be hard to find the time to partake in physical activity. However, it doesn't take much to keep your brain and body healthy, which is important since studies show that exercise can help prevent Alzheimer's disease. All you really need to do is take a 10-15 minute brisk walk each day to stimulate your brain cells. Exercising will also help your body produce and release endorphins, which will elevate your mood and help you improve your concentration.

3. Stimulate Your Mind.

Numerous studies show that mental exercising can help to prevent Alzheimer's disease. There are a numerous ways you can stimulate your mind and get your creative juices flowing. You can start with an intellectual conversation with a co-worker or you could opt to put together a puzzle at home. You want to find a middle ground with fun and stimulation when challenging your mind. You don't want to go the easy route, but you also don't want to make things too difficult where you put more strain on your brain than anything else.

4. Learn to Manage Your Stress.

In order to keep inflammation in the body at bay and prevent Alzheimer's disease, it is important to manage stress wisely. Research shows that this is key to preventing mental decline. You need to start by ensuring you get a restful night of sleep every night. Exercising can also help prevent inflammation and keep your stress levels low. You may also want to consider taking yoga or meditation classes to help improve your focus and mental performance.

For those who do develop the disabling condition, it may be necessary to have help around the house or to be placed into a facility that focuses on senior care for those with Alzheimer's. The important thing is that you do what you can now to help prevent the disease and understand what options are available should memory problems come into the picture in the future. If problems arise, contact a company that specializes in senior care in your area.

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