At a recent Advocate Aurora Health event, Darren Gitelman, MD, Senior Medical Director of the Advocate Memory Center, presented on Alzheimer’s disease. He focused on ways to prevent or reduce one’s risk of getting Alzheimer’s disease. Some of his recommendations are below.
Physical Exercise
Healthy Diet
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Some of the diets Dr. Gitelman recommended are the Mediterranean diet, the DASH diet, and the MIND Diet.
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Include green, leafy vegetables and brightly colored fruits and vegetables in your diet. At least 6 servings/week are suggested. Eat fish, nuts, and olive oil on a weekly basis.
Mental Exercise and Social Activities
Sleep
Sensory Deficits
Stress and Depression
Alcohol
Head Injury
Anticholinergic Medications
Supplements
Many of Dr. Gitelman’s recommendations for reducing one’s risk of getting Alzheimer’s disease have other health benefits as well. The Alzheimer’s Association notes, “While research is not yet conclusive, certain lifestyle choices, such as physical activity and diet, may help support brain health and prevent Alzheimer’s. Many of these lifestyle changes have been shown to lower the risk of other diseases, like heart disease and diabetes, which have been linked to Alzheimer’s. With few drawbacks and plenty of known benefits, healthy lifestyle choices can improve your health and possibly protect your brain.”1
References
Alzheimer’s Association. (n.d.). Prevention. Retrieved from https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/research_progress/prevention