With Alzheimer’s being the sixth most common cause of death in the US, many may wonder if the condition can be avoided. Whilst there is no cure for Alzheimer’s, there are certain lifestyle changes you can make to reduce your risk of the condition.
Exercise
This is likely not surprising, because like other aspects of your health, exercise also heightens brain health and helps to reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. In fact, the Alzheimer’s Research & Prevention Foundation found that regular exercise can reduce your risk of Alzheimer’s by up to 50%. Now, this doesn’t mean you need to be a fitness guru. It is recommended to fit in 150 minutes of exercise each week, and ensure you get a bit of cardio along with strength training in.
Healthy diet
A healthy diet is imperative to keep a healthy brain and body. Ensuring your brain gets the right food is so important that we dedicated a whole blog to the ‘best brain foods’. In short, a balanced diet with fruit and vegetables is a must. Oily fish should also be added into the meal plan since its high omega-3 content improves blood flow to the brain, which is great for brain health.
Sleep
Again, it is no secret that sleep is important for your health, and regular, good quality sleep is crucial for brain health and reducing your risk of alzheimer’s. However, we know getting a good sleep is easier said than done, so we made a guide to get a good night’s sleep, which you can see here.
Keep Cognitively Active
Just like it's important to exercise your body, it is also important to exercise your brain. Learning a new instrument, reading, and playing board games are all good ways to keep your brain active, which helps to reduce the risk of Alzheimer's. For example, scientists at Hong Kong’s Elderly Health centres investigated the influence of reading on dementia by observing 15,000 people over the age of 65. The patients were observed for five years, and had no signs of dementia when entering the study. At the end of the study, it was found that those who read or played board games had a significantly lower risk of dementia compared to those who did not read.
How can the MindMate app help your brain?
Based on world-leading science, the MindMate app helps stimulate the brain with fun & interactive games. The games are designed to challenge the four core cognitive areas: problem-solving, speed, memory, and attention. Great for individuals who make healthy aging a priority, anyone living with memory problems like Alzheimer's or Dementia, and those with a family history of cognitive decline.