Alzheimer’s is a disease that dramatically affects the lives of individuals and their families. This disease destroys a person’s memory as well as other functions of the brain, and it affects over three million individuals in the United States alone.
This disease can not be cured, but you can take steps to prevent it from occurring. Implement these simple lifestyle changes to prevent Alzheimer’s and live a full, active life!
1. Make Your Sleep Schedule A Priority
Getting enough shut eye gives your brain the chance to recuperate and recharge. A Swedish study found that a lack of sleep makes a person especially vulnerable to Alzheimer’s, especially men who suffer from sleeping disorders. Make sure to get the recommended amount of sleep every night!
The following tip stresses the importance of sunlight.
2. Soak Up Some Sun
There’s a link between a vitamin D deficiency and the development of Alzheimer’s. A U.S. study performed in 2014 revealed that the presence of a vitamin D deficiency increased an individual’s chances of developing Alzheimer’s by 125 percent.
Try to catch as much sunlight as possible during the summer months, and take a vitamin D supplement during the winter to combat the lack of natural sunlight.
3. Add A Dash Of Cinnamon To Your Meals
Consuming the spice cinnamon can help you to combat Alzheimer’s disease. The compounds that the spice is comprised of—cinnamaldehyde and epicatechin—prevent the tangling of the brain protein tau, which is linked to Alzheimer’s. These clumps of protein are believed to cause the disease, and cinnamon can help prevent this from happening!
4. Keep Alcohol To A Minimum
Excessive alcohol consumption increases the risk of developing Alzheimer’s, so you should limit how many cocktails you consume. Although a glass of wine per day has been linked to lowering the chances of developing the disease, drinking too much can cause damage to the brain.
The next tip is crucial to your brain health!
5. Complete Brain Exercises To Stay Sharp
If you are constantly stimulating your brain, it will remain alerted in shape, just like any other muscle. Daily brain exercises such as crossword puzzles and other mental games can greatly decrease your chances of developing the disease.
Mental tasks can help boost your memory and enhance all other brain function!
6. Put Out Your Cigarette Habit For Good
Other than lung cancer and other deadly health risks, smoking can greatly increase your chances of developing Alzheimer’s. Those who smoke regularly are 45% more likely to develop the disease, which is one more reason to kick the habit permanently!
You can be doing your brain a big favor by quitting, and your entire health will improve! The next tip will also improve every aspect of your health.
7. Stay Active And Exercise Regularly
Exercise is extremely beneficial to your heart, and it allows the blood to flow easily throughout your body. This can combat heart disease, and middle-aged people with high blood pressure are more at risk of developing Alzheimer’s.
Doing a light workout for at least 30 minutes per day can help prevent heart disease and lessen your chances of developing Alzheimer’s.
8. Bond With Your Grandchildren
An Australian study has proven that spending time playing with your grandchildren can significantly lower your chances of developing Alzheimer’s. Spending time with them can increase memory and keep you active, which are big steps in maintaining brain health.
Not only will spending time with your grandchildren protect your brain, but it will help form a loving bond that will last forever!
9. Enjoy A Morning Cup Of Coffee
Coffee serves as an antioxidant, and it contains a ton of magnesium to promote brain health. Indulging in a cup of Joe can decrease your chances of developing Alzheimer’s by 50 percent, making this beverage a big help when it comes to brain health!
The following tip can really help your preserve the power of your brain!
10. Eat Foods Rich In Vitamin B12
A study on dementia completed in Finland revealed that vitamin B12 can help prevent an individual from developing the disease. Increasing your vitamin B12 intake can help you prevent Alzheimer’s, and eating foods rich in this vitamin such as eggs, meat, and fish can help you combat any vitamin B12 deficiency and the disease!
11. Grab A Handful Of Berries
Choosing to snack on juicy berries provides you with important vitamins and minerals, and it can also prevent you from developing Alzheimer’s disease. Anthocyanosides—a type of compound found in berries—is known to fight the deterioration of memory.
Eat some type of berry every day to promote the health of your brain!
12. Avoid All Injuries To Your Head
Receiving a significant injury to your head is directly correlated to your chances of developing Alzheimer’s. You have four times the chance of developing the disease if you receive a traumatic brain injury, so it’s important to always wear a helmet when participating in activities such as skiing or riding a bike.
13. Keep Your Social Life Alive
Maintaining connections with friends and family is vital to your overall health. Socialization is especially important for brain function, and keeping a close group of friends can prevent you from developing Alzheimer’s disease.
The following tip is an easy way to decrease your risk of Alzheimer’s every single day!
14. Get Your Daily Dose Of Nuts
Consuming a type of nut every day can reduce your risk of Alzheimer’s, due to the vitamin E content of the nuts. Vitamin E is an antioxidant that has been linked to Alzheimer’s prevention, and it is a simple way to decrease your risk every time grab a snack!
15. Be Careful What You Cook With
Using aluminum pots and pans to cook can negatively impact your cognitive abilities later on. Some studies suggest that the ingestion of aluminum in excess can lead to cognitive impairment, so it’s suggested to use stainless steel or cast iron when you are in the kitchen.
This simple switch can easily protect your brain function!
