5 Important Keys for the Prevention of Alzheimer’s Disease

Genetics does play a part in the risk for getting this mind wasting disease. But blaming genetics alone does not explain the rise of Alzheimer’s disease throughout the world’s population. Like cancer, diabetes and heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease can be prevented.

Alzheimer’s disease has the same root cause as those diseases mentioned above. The cause is often due to  faulty lifestyle habits combined with the toxic atmosphere in which many must live.

If you hope to stay healthy and live a long life without pain, free of disease, you need to take steps to change those bad habits that have become a part of your life. Those habits are not easy to change and many give up when they find their efforts are not producing immediate results. Unfortunately, there are no easy ways to quit smoking and lose weight.

Good health starts at the moment of birth and carries on through the growing years. Since no one can get back to living their childhood, they must take aggressive steps to curb those habits before the first sign of diseases starts to show.

When it comes to Alzheimer’s, there are some 5 preventive measures that ensure that your cognitive functions stay normal as you age:

Keep Your Blood Pressure and Cholesterol Normal

High blood pressure and high LDL cholesterol increase the risk for Alzheimer’s. But today’s diet of fast food and easy carbohydrates wreck havoc on the body’s ability to maintain its healthy equilibrium. A high fiber, low-fat diet is not something most people enjoy eating, yet these foods are the healthiest. The best foods are the ones few people ever eat. Fresh water fish contain high levels of omega-3 fatty acids. Salmon, herring, mackerel and sardines help balance the omega-3 to omega-6 ratio which is too often skewed to omega-6. Fruits and vegetables are not the staple of many diets, yet their phytonutrients can help prevent the onset of Alzheimer’s.

Raise Your HDL Cholesterol Levels

High levels of LDL cholesterol lead to clogged arteries and heart disease. Increasing your HDL level  to a level over 60 mg/d (milligrams per  deciliter) can help reduce your risk for Alzheimer’s. The best way to raise HDL is through exercise, eating more soluble fiber and avoiding the foods that contain a great deal of trans-fats.

Vitamin C for Prevention

It’s not likely your doctor will tell you to supplement with the vitamins and minerals that are lacking in many foods today. But vitamin C is an important nutrient for good brain functioning. The brain requires 15 times more vitamin C than any other organs in the body. Supplementing with 1,000 mg of vitamin C every day can help prevent Alzheimer’s

Reduce Your Homocysteine Levels

Homocysteine and C-reactive protein are better markers for a future heart attack or stroke than cholesterol alone. It’s not often talked about in medical circles, but those who have a level less than  4.5 have a greater risk of developing Alzheimer’s. A daily intake of 800Mcg of folic acid, 150mcg of vitamin B12 and 75mg of vitamin B6 help reduce homocysteine levels.

Essential Herbs for Alzheimer’s Prevention

For centuries, herbs were man’s pharmacy and many of those herbs were effective against the prevention of disease. Vinpocetine, derived from the periwinkle plant, along with ginkgo biloba help improve blood flow to the brain. The brain’s cells need oxygen and glucose to maintain healthy activity. Both of these herbs improve memory as you age. A good dose of ginkgo is 100mg and 10 mg of vinpocetine can help stave off Alzheimer’s as you age.

Alzheimer’s does not have to strike you. You can keep your cognitive function well into old age by following these guidelines. Just because you have a family history does not mean you need to fear this devastating disease later in your life.