Alzheimer’s disease is a brain pathology that affects nearly 900,000 French people (from the age of 60). Even if there is no curative treatment to stop it, there are common sense rules to follow to prevent it. We will rediscover them together…
Alzheimer’s disease is a degenerative brain disease that causes gradual decline in memory and cognition. For 88% of French people, it is considered a real disease and not a normal cause of aging.
Among the cases that we find, 10% concern a hereditary form of Alzheimer’s disease. Today in France, approximately 900,000 people suffer from this terrible disease.
Given the increasing life expectancy, it is estimated that 1.3 million people (mostly women) will be affected by this brain disease in the coming years.
Here are 7 common sense rules to prevent Alzheimer’s disease and increase your chances of not being a victim one day…
1. Have a healthy diet
Prevention of Alzheimer’s disease begins with diet. You have to eat organic. We can stop eating industrial foods that contain chemicals and can affect the proper functioning of the brain. This will prevent inflammation that can destroy the brain due to certain acid additives.
You can also limit the consumption of refined or fast sugars such as white rice, bread and sodas. Whole grains, fats rich in omega 3 and vegetable oils are recommended for the brain.
2. Practice a regular sporting activity
Exercising for at least 30 minutes every day (walking, climbing the stairs or running) helps keep blood vessels healthy and promotes optimal brain function.
Sport is scientists’ prescription for a healthy brain. It ensures good blood circulation and therefore better oxygenation of the brain. It has an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effect on the whole organism. Sport promotes the release of neurotrophins which stimulate neurogenesis in the hippocampus.
3. Stimulate your brain to avoid this brain disease
To maintain the memory in good condition it must often be solicited. Alzheimer’s disease can be prevented by engaging in a variety of stimulating mental activities. Reading, learning and games like chess, bridge, sudoku, scrabble are activities that will reduce the risk of the disease. Long schooling has been proven to protect the brain against the development of Alzheimer’s disease.
4. Check your health regularly
Risk factors for cardiovascular events such as hypertension, obesity, diabetes and high cholesterol can lead to Alzheimer’s disease.
A good follow-up of his health considerably reduces the risk of an attack of the disease. Strict control of high blood pressure for five years has been shown to halve the risk of dementia caused by this brain disease.
5. Protect your head to better prevent Alzheimer’s disease
The skull protects our brain against external aggressions and shocks. It is important to avoid trauma to the skull because the brain can be affected and the individual is at risk for Alzheimer’s disease. You can wear a helmet to protect your head when riding a motorcycle, bicycle or skiing. In the car you must remember to always wear the seat belt.
6. Sleep well
Sleep rests the brain and promotes the elimination of toxins produced by the activity of neurons during the waking state. These toxins play a role in triggering Alzheimer’s disease.
Stress triggers the body to produce hormones and neurotransmitters that affect brain function. We then observe an over-solicitation of the central nervous system, which produces long-term harmful effects. To protect the brain, we must learn to manage stress using health tools. Good sleep helps to limit the accumulation of nervous fatigue.
7. Maintain a social life
To keep the brain healthy, having social connections is essential. It is not beneficial to isolate or set yourself apart in society. Social interactions have a preventive effect.
You have to be surrounded by positive and jovial people, go out and relax. These practices may seem innocuous but they keep the brain awake. We must avoid staying in an environment that pollutes the mind.
In conclusion
The prevention of Alzheimer’s disease requires a healthy lifestyle and regular monitoring of your state of health. If you have already been, through your loved ones, confronted with Alzheimer’s disease, share your experience in the comments…
