The biggest risk factor for developing Alzheimer’s is simply getting older. Most people diagnosed with it are age 65 or older, and by the time you’re 85, you have a one-in-two chance of having it.
But Alzheimer’s is less inevitable than you might fear, with evidence mounting that diet, exercise and nutritional supplements all play a role in its prevention. New research also suggests that
Alzheimer’s takes a longer time to develop than previously thought, with early brain changes seen in middle age. So the best advice for prevention is to start early by age 50 and stay at it,
especially if you have a family history of the disease. But even people in their 60s, 70s and 80s can benefit tremendously from our expert recommendations
Antioxidants
Takes vitamins A, C, and E. They're antioxidants, which prevent cell damage and are believed by some to slow down diseases of aging.
Vitamin D Boosts Mood and Memory
Vitamin D affects virtually all body tissues, including the brain, and a new study suggests that getting enough D can improve some mood and memory problems.
B12 keeps nerves working properly
B12 is needed to keep nerves working properly throughout the body and it works with folic acid and vitamin B6 to neutralize neurotoxic homocysteine.
Fish oil supplements
Aging brains show signs of inflammation, and fish oil has anti-inflammatory properties. Eating fish regularly decreases your chances of developing Alzheimer’s, and research shows that it’s the DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) in fish that’s offering the protection.
Folic Acid Adds Years to Your Brain
Dark leafy greens contain folic acid, which protects your brain two ways: it helps to reduce inflammation, by lowering neurotoxic homocysteine levels, and it seems to interfere with expression of the genes involved in dementia.
Green Tea’s EGCG Slows Brain Aging
Green tea can slow brain aging, helping to prevent declining memory, cognitive impairment, dementia and Alzheimer's. Green tea's main protection comes from EGCG, a powerful antioxidant that researchers say helps detoxify beta-amyloid. EGCG also removes toxic iron from brain cells and EGCG even reverses brain cell degeneration by spurring new growth.
Curry
Alzheimer's is linked to the build up of knots in the brain called amyloid plaques. Turmeric reduced the number of these plaques by a half. Curcumin also appeared to reduce Alzheimer's-related inflammation in the brain tissue. Turmeric is found in everything from mild Kormas to the hottest Vindaloos. Therefore, A spicy ingredient of many curries may be an effective treatment for Alzheimer's disease.
Phosphatidylserine supplements
Consumption of phosphatidylserine may reduce the risk of dementia and the risk of cognitive dysfunction in the elderly. Traditionally, PS supplements were derived from bovine cortex (BC-PS); however, due to the potential transfer of infectious diseases, soy-derived PS (S-PS) has been established as a safe alternative.
Cross-training your brain
Our brains can be made stronger through exercise. In the same way physical exercise can delay many of the effects of aging on the body, there's some evidence cognitive exercise can at least delay the onset of Alzheimer's. Music can be a positive force for mental health, calming, relaxing, intellectually stimulating. Listen to soft music and rock Songs alternatively may change the way the human brain is wired.
Aerobic Exercise
As little as three hours of walking a week over a period of six months can increase neurons and neuronal connections in the brains of older adults, research has found.