Alzheimer's disease is a type of dementia that affects memory, thinking, and behavior and develops over time. Factors that increase the risk of Alzheimer's include:
- Diabetes
- High cholesterol
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Obesity
- Hypertension
- Depression
- Low cognitive activity
- Alcohol consumption and smoking
However, there are steps you can take to combat Alzheimer's . This can prevent cognitive decline and, therefore, delay the onset of this mental disorder.
Exercise your memory to reduce Alzheimer's symptoms
- Maintain a healthy diet. Include omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, vitamin B12, and vitamin D. Also, include fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Limit your intake of sugars and saturated fats.
- Avoid chronic physical and mental stress. This causes damage to cells in the hippocampus and brain, while also triggering other health complications.
- Meditate! Practice techniques like:
- Spiritual fitness . It is important to cultivate high levels of psychospiritual well-being. These involve acceptance, independence, and socialization, and reduce Alzheimer's symptoms.
- Have a sense of spirituality . That is, discover and understand your life's purpose. A heightened level of awareness and cognition reduces and delays the onset of Alzheimer's.
- Yoga . It's as effective as memory training. It improves connections between brain regions and can improve memory in older adults.
- Do physical exercise. Exercising several times a week improves mental health and maintains cognitive function in older adults. This is because it improves blood circulation, oxygen supply, and increases protective brain chemicals. It also prevents cardiovascular disease, helps strengthen bones and muscles, and reduces stress. Obviously, it can help keep Alzheimer's at bay.
- Mental stimulation. Engage in challenging activities that involve multitasking, communication, interaction, and organization. For example, learn a new language or how to play an instrument. Read newspapers, books, or magazines. Memorize words or short stories. Also, put together puzzles, solve riddles, and play strategy games. These activities can help manage Alzheimer's.
- Social commitment. Build a network of friends. Direct contact and social and mental stimulation strengthen the connections between nerve cells in the brain. Join a club or social group. Attend group classes. Volunteer. Organize outings with your friends to the movies, museums, or public places.
In addition to feeling happier and more active, the benefits of incorporating these activities into your daily life include:
- Positive changes in brain and memory function, cellular health, gene expression, and well-being.
- Reversal of memory loss in subjects with subjective cognitive impairment and mild cognitive impairment.
- Improve and increase concentration capacity.
- Free your mind from habitual limitations, fear, and anger, and reshape it toward positive thoughts.
- Positive effects on the nervous system, because neural connections are developed.
