Once a person starts to develop Alzheimer’s disease it’s impossible to reverse the symptoms, you can only slow them down. This is a warning for everyone to change their daily habits in order to avoid developing this terrible disease. Here’s what you can do to reduce your risk:
Prevent Diabetes
Did you know that people who have type 2 diabetes are more than twice as likely to develop Alzheimer’s or some form of dementia? The main connection between these two diseases is insulin resistance. Since type 2 diabetes is preventable, an overhaul of your diet should be the first thing you make a change to. Do so by limiting the amount of processed foods and added sugars you consume.
Break a Sweat
Routine exercise will help promote the growth of new brain cells and reduce your risk of developing Alzheimer’s by roughly 50 percent. Exercising for 40 minutes per day, three times per week will help increase the size of your brain’s hippocampus (where your memory is located). While walking each day is a solid start, eventually you want to be participating in some form of aerobics, weight training, and stretching.
Be Friendly
Making new friends, joining a club, participating in group activities, and just talking to others in general can help improve a person’s mental health. When people feel like they have a sense of belonging, the risk of depression is severely reduced. Those who have depression symptoms will usually be more prone to developing Alzheimer’s. So the next time you’re feeling lonely, strike up a conversation or join a group activity to meet new people!
Making these simple changes in your life can drastically reduce your chances of developing Alzheimer’s disease down the road. For other useful tips and information, visit our blog! If you’re interested in learning more, or visiting The Arbors Assisted Living community, schedule a tour by contacting one of our five convenient locations:
Bohemia
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Islandia East
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