If you’re age 65 or older, you’re considered at risk for Alzheimer’s disease. And, according to experts, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk.
The good news is that with a healthy lifestyle, you can reduce your risk for Alzheimer’s. The bad news is that with an unhealthy lifestyle, you can increase your risk.
Aging and heredity are two major risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease, both of which are uncontrollable. However, scientists warn that maintaining your brain healthy can lower your chance of Alzheimer’s. These are some of the behaviors you should avoid doing as soon as possible if you want to keep your mind bright.
Isolation
Isolation is a significant risk component for all types of dementia, but especially Alzheimer’s disease. Swedish scientists studied over 2,000 people for up to 20 years in a study published in the Journals of Gerontology in 2020. They discovered that those who described themselves as lonely were 2 and a half times more susceptible to getting Alzheimer’s disease than those who did not.
Pessimism
Having a good attitude toward aging is linked to living better and more. Individuals who had favorable self-perceptions about getting older lived 7.5 years longer and had lower incidences of Alzheimer’s disease than those who had more negative attitudes, according to a study done by Becca Levy, a Yale psychology professor, and renowned researcher.
Not enough sleep
Individuals in their 50s and 60s who slept 6 hours or less every night were more likely to acquire dementia older age, according to a study released in Nature Communications last April.
Not eating fruits and vegetables
Fruits and vegetables with high amounts of flavonoids may be linked to a reduced risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. These nutrients may help reduce inflammation in the brain, protect brain cells from injury, and support learning and memory.
