Three Ways to Avoid Alzheimer's Disease

Few days pass without us hearing something new about Alzheimer's Disease. This dreaded disease generally strikes the older population as they enjoy the years of their retirement. The disease generally causes a person to forget. You may know your grandchild today and enjoy their companionship.

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!