Body Health Online Magazine: Three Ways to Avoid Alzheimer's Disease

Three Ways to Avoid Alzheimer's Disease
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duallogic on 14/01/2010 04:50:00
 
Tomorrow, an Alzheimer's patient may not recognize the grandchild, or their own
child. This, of course, depends on the severity of the dementia.
Currently there are no definite links to what causes the disease. Recent
studies do show, however, that there are possible actions you can take in order
to prevent this memory killer to strike in your golden years.
Professionals agree that the first key is for the individual to maintain an
active mind. This can happen through mental stimulation. You might consider
putting this on your daily agenda, "Mind Stimulation Exercises." Most active
people do not need to worry about maintaining this part of their life, it
generally happens without any thought. However, a less active person, living
alone, needs a little extra help to continually stimulate the mind on a daily
basis. If you do not have a senior citizen center you attend, a bridge group, a
church group, friends, or other social activities where you naturally make your
mind work - stimulating it, then you need to create some activities of your own.
If you get outside and go for a walk, study your neighborhood. Look at the
house on the left. Try to remember the different families who lived there. As
you walk around town check out the different stores. Remember the days when the
big building was a Woolworth's? Try to remember all of the businesses that
followed. Do this throughout your walk. Inside, do some extra reading. If you
read a book a week, try to read two. Read the newspaper as well as magazines.
Buy some puzzle books with crossword puzzles. Try to find a new hobby, such as
oil painting, this will really cause your mind to think it more creative ways.
New activities will add enjoyment to your life as well as help you to fight the
dreaded disease.
Your second way to keep Alzheimer's Disease out of your life is to stay
physically active. When you motivate your body it also promote general mental
health. If you enjoy walking, go outside and challenge yourself to the number of
miles you will walk during the week (during the month, during the year). Go to
your local Y and swim some laps in the pool. Join an aerobics class or a popular
dance class. Do whatever you enjoy, but, the key is "to do it."
The third opponent to fight Alzheimer's is a healthy diet. Try to eliminate the
junk food - or, at least reduce them. If you insist on having a bowl of ice
cream each day, cut the amount in half. If you enjoy two candy bars - choose to
eat one today, the other tomorrow. Eat more fruits, vegetables, whole wheat,
seeds, and fish. Take your daily vitamin.
A healthy mind, a physically fit body, and a diet plan are three ways to fight
Alzheimer's!