Follow up – Ali Mualla:
Research continues to show the impact that positive lifestyle changes can have on brain health, so the Alzheimer’s Association recently put together simple steps to take to prevent cognitive decline and reduce Alzheimer’s risk.
In this article, we will review the most prominent daily habits that protect you from Alzheimer’s disease:
1. Avoid brain injury
Be sure to wear a helmet when riding a bike or playing contact sports, seat belts in the car, and work to prevent falls.
2. Challenge yourself
Challenging your brain has both long and short term benefits for your brain, and can include anything from solving a puzzle to drawing or playing a card game.
3. Eat a balanced and healthy diet
Eating leafy green vegetables and following certain diets, such as the MIND diet, have been shown to help reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
4. Get a good sleep
People with sleep disturbances or those who don’t get enough sleep have an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia.
5. Quit smoking
Studies have shown that quitting smoking can reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
6. Set a date for cardiovascular exercise
Cardiovascular exercise, such as running or swimming, increases blood flow to the brain and raises the heart rate.
7. Staying social
Continue to participate in daily life with friends and social activities that interest you.
8. Treat depression
Those with a history of anxiety and depression have an increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s, so speak to the right doctor.
