There are 5.5 million patients in the United States who have Alzheimer’s Disease. Current treatments have not shown significant response, though some medications offer some help for those afflicted. A new medication called Aduhelm was recently approved by the FDA but has been controversial and has had mixed results.
But are there ways you can actually PREVENT Alzheimer’s disease in the first place? There are some measures that have been found effective.
- Aged garlic extract supplement: Several high-quality studies have demonstrated benefit of taking aged garlic extract supplement. Studies have shown that this supplement, which is available over-the-counter, can reduce amyloid deposit deposition and improve cognitive abilities.
- Taking regular low-dose aspirin has been found to prevent amyloid deposition in the brain and decrease the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
- Studies have shown that people who pursue intellectual activities such as reading, playing board games, puzzles, learning a second language, or playing musical instruments have a reduced risk of Alzheimer’s Disease.
- Increased social interaction reduces Alzheimer’s risk.
- Moderate red wine use is associated with lower risk of Alzheimer’s.
- Increased physical activity has been shown to decrease the rate of Alzheimer’s dementia.
- Eating nuts! One study found that young adults who ate half a cup of walnuts for 8 weeks had improved reasoning and ability to draw conclusions.
One study in particular is fascinating! A study by researcher Peter Elwood at the Cochrane Institute of Primary Care studied 2,235 men aged 45-59, and followed them for 30 years.
They found that those patients who did a few things reduced their risk of dementia by 60%! This included eating a diet high in fruits and vegetables, maintaining a body mass index from 18-25, not smoking, and walking 2 miles a day.
If there was a drug on the market that we knew would reduce our risk of Alzheimer’s by 60%, we would all pay a lot of money to take it!
Always check with your doctor prior to starting a new supplement or medication, and prior to starting a new exercise program.
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