Over the next several weeks, I’ll be focusing on what scientific research is telling us about preventing or staving off the onset of Alzheimer’s. This is an important topic, because while we may think of Alzheimer’s as an old person’s disease, Alzheimer’s may actually start many decades earlier; only to fully manifest in old age. Alzheimer’s has been described as a tsunami about to roll over us, if we don’t take action. Today close to five million people suffer with Alzheimer’s, and that number is expected to triple by 2050. There is no cure for Alzheimer’s, but like heart disease, there are ways we can live better to fight Alzheimer’s…Healthy Lifestyle, Healthy Brain.
Diet and exercise are the hallmarks of a healthy lifestyle. As we move through the next several weeks, I’ll talk with scientists and researchers about the latest findings on maintaining a healthy brain. For example, on the question of diet, is the Mediterranean Diet the way to go? As for exercise, what type of exercise is best for the brain? You may be surprised what some scientists believe is the absolute best exercise for brain health. And what about those brain-training games we hear so much about; are they a rip-off or for real?
The research on Alzheimer’s is wide-ranging and certain aspects of it may surprise you. For example, scientists are looking at marijuana and the possible positive effects it could have on Alzheimer’s.
A cure for Alzheimer’s is the goal, but until that happens, research tells us there are steps we can take, on a personal level, to fight mental decline. In coming weeks, we’ll talk with the experts about those steps in detail. And we’ll tell you what they say is the “super power” when it comes to retaining mental capacities.
If you are ready to begin your journey to better brain health right now, go to alz.org and check out their list of 10 Ways to Love Your Brain.