A healthy diet and regular exercise have been found to help lower a person’s risk of Alzheimer’s disease by protecting the brain from the changes that result in mental deterioration.
The study looked at 44 patients with mild memory problems. The researchers found that those who followed the Mediterranean diet and were more physically active had fewer brain tangles, compared to those who consumed an unhealthy diet and weren’t as physically active.
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Lead researcher Dr. David Merrill said, “Alzheimer’s disease is known to be incurable, but it was not thought until recently that it can be preventable.”
Although previous studies have pointed to a connection between healthy eating, exercise, and the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, the present study is the first to demonstrate the direct impact of lifestyle factors on the levels of abnormal protein deposits in the brain associated with Alzheimer’s disease. “The fact that we could detect this influence of lifestyle at a molecular level so early in a patient’s symptoms surprised us,” Dr. Merrill added.
Meanwhile, here are the so-called 10 ways to love your brain from the Alzheimer’s Association:
- Exercise your body
- Exercise your brain (take a class, for example)
- Don’t smoke
- Control your blood pressure and diabetes
- Eat a healthy diet
- Sleep well. Treat insomnia and sleep apnea
- Seek help for mental issues, such as depression and anxiety
- Be socially active
- Challenge your mind with games, art, and hobbies
- Protect your head. Wear a seat belt, use a helmet when cycling, and avoid falls.
Also, read Bel Marra Health’s article: Why your diet could be blamed for failing memory
Mohan Garikiparithi got his degree in medicine from Osmania University (University of Health Sciences). He practiced clinical medicine for over a decade before he shifted his focus to the field of health communications. During his active practice he served as the head of the Dept. of Microbiology in a diagnostic centre in India. On a three-year communications program in Germany, Mohan developed a keen interest in German Medicine (Homoeopathy), and other alternative systems of medicine. He now advocates treating different medical conditions without the use of traditional drugs. An ardent squash player, Mohan believes in the importance of fitness and wellness.
