Educate yourself with nutrition, health and fitness knowledge.

Protecting the Mind From Alzheimer’s

Protecting the Mind From Alzheimer’s
Share

Alzheimer’s disease is one of the most challenging threats to public health, especially for those older than 65 years of age. It is estimated that 4 million Americans and half a million Canadians currently have the disease. While there is no known cure for this chronic illness, there are simple adjustments you can make  that may strengthen your body’s defenses against Alzheimer’s:

 

Get Plenty of Fruits and Veggies – Yet another reason to include plenty of fruits and vegetables in your diet is their ability to help keep the mind sharp. Focus on such foods as pomegranates, wild blueberries, broccoli, spinach and apples.

Load Up on Omega -3 – Omega 3 oils can be found in seeds, such as hemp and flax. Fish oil can also be a good source of omega 3, but make sure that the fish oil you pick doesn’t contain mercury, which can cause Alzheimer’s.

Increase Your Intake of Antioxidants – Antioxidants can eliminate dangerous free radical cells in your body. They can be found in fruits and vegetables, chocolate and green tea, and are also in foods/drinks with Vitamin E and C.

Exercise – In addition to keeping you physically fit, exercise can also keep your mind sharp and protect if against Alzheimer’s. Studies have found that 3-5 hours of exercise per week can reduce your odds of getting Alzheimer’s by as much as 75 percent.

Learn Something New Everyday – Things like picking up a second language, learning to play an instrument and solving puzzles can have a very positive impact on your brain’s health. You can also tune up your brain by learning new words and telephone numbers.

Hit the Weights – Moderate weightlifting not only tones your muscles, it also strengthens your brain. According to research, lifting weights 2-3 times per may reduce the odds of stroke by 50 percent in seniors.

Lay off the Trans Fats and Saturated Fats – These fats are not only bad for your waistline, they also put you at greater risk for developing Alzheimer’s later in life. Products to avoid or limit include full fat dairy products, red meat, fast food, fried foods and packaged and processed foods.

Be a Social Butterfly – Active participation in social events – be it volunteering, attending sporting events, or just spending time with friends – might help to fend off Alzheimer’s.

Share
Scroll To Top