Lower Risk for Alzheimer's

Q: I know there’s no surefire way to prevent Alzheimer’s disease, but what can I do to start lowering my risk now?

A: Working out regularly, watching your blood pressure, and stimulating your brain with new challenges have all been shown to reduce the risk for Alzheimer’s. New research suggests that keeping your cholesterol in check could also defend against the disease.

In a study of more than 9,700 men and women, scientists found that those with the highest total cholesterol levels in their 40s were more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease later in life. High cholesterol appears to be linked to inflammation, which may harm the brain’s blood vessels and lead to the buildup of Alzheimer’s-associated plaque.

I would recommend following a diet full of fruits, vegetables, and foods high in fiber and omega-3 fatty acids; maintaining a body mass index from 18.5 to 24.9; exercising for at least 30 minutes almost every day; and getting your cholesterol levels checked regularly.

Learn More:
Brain-Boosting Smoothie Recipe
The Foods You Eat Can Stress You Out

Dr. Brent Ridge is the health expert for Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia. You can call and ask him a question live every Tuesday at 2 p.m. Eastern on Sirius Satellite Radio, Channel 112 (1.866.675.6675). You can also follow along as he learns to grow his own food and raise goats on his farm in upstate New York by visiting www.beekman1802.com.

Got a health question for Dr. Brent? E-mail him at drbrent@care2.com.

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Bon L.

2:11AM PDT on Oct 24, 2010

Thanks for the article.

send a green star

Erin C.

4:54PM PDT on Aug 5, 2009

I knew about the importance/benefits of doing mind exercises like puzzles and quick brain challenges, but hearing about the link to cholesterol intrigues me. I wonder how developed this research/findings are.

Past Member .

3:50AM PDT on Jun 15, 2009

thanks...
Kabin
Konteyner

Catherine B.

6:38AM PST on Mar 3, 2009

My husband was diagnosed with 'Pre-senile
Dementia at aged 63. The Physician said it was caused by alcohol. Whilst my husband claimed to have 'written himself off' twice in his early 20's, through mixing drinks, he did consume approx 1 bottle of whiskey per week, a couple of bottles of wine over meals. I had never seen him 'drunk'. As an accountant who didnt need a calculator, he was widely well read and had an excellent memory and general knowledge. However, work stress caused minor TIA's over several years. He died a few months ago aged 82, after a fall over 2 years before which was followed by an incapacitating stroke. He still kept his dry and very quick sense of humour. But not much else including not recognising our girls.
His sister at 79 was a smoker and now has emphesemia, but a brilliant memory does crosswords every day, has an excellent broad general knowledge but is totally inactive. I dont think she will get dementia.
I wonder what is going to be the situation when the current young drug and alcohol dependent youngsters of today hit their 60's or earlier. Will the Health organisations be ready for it, and are they looking hard for cures to reverse the damage? It will be a world wide epidemic. Maybe the current economic crises might just save a few youngsters if they dont have the money to splurge on alcohol and drugs.

Linda S.

5:08PM PDT on Sep 13, 2008

Lisa T.,
Here are some case histories including my own. http://www.toxicmetals.info/case_main.htm

Lisa T.

10:52AM PDT on Sep 12, 2008

Thanks, Lisa S. I'm aware of the health issues with mercury, have not know of anyone who has gotten so poisoned from it. I have not had my fillings check, so your post is a good reminder. Please stay well!

Elaine H.

6:22PM PDT on Sep 10, 2008

What are the figures on it increasing since 1960?
I wonder if the the deteriorating environment, ever increasing gas exhaust(much more since 1960)
smog,& other poisinous things actually go into our bodies could have contributed as the cause? Man invents things and begins using them with little thought given to their side effects.

3:44PM PDT on Sep 10, 2008

Lisa,
Mercury from dental fillings and vaccines (including the flu shot) as well as from fish, coal-fired power plants, etc. play a role in Alzheimer's...avoid them. My mother had early onset (obvious at 52 died at 67), a mouthful of mercury amalgam dental fillings, and symptoms of mercury toxicity.

I'm a 46 y.o. mercury and arsenic poisoning survivor doing what I can (gluten-free vegan diet, exercise for body and brain, had mercury fillings removed at age 29, oral chelation according to Any Cutler's protocol, etc.) to avoid the same fate. Please read Andrew Hall Cutler, PhD's "Amalgam Illness" and "Hair Test Interpretation".

If you have mercury amalgam dental fillings (they look silver or black) and want info about how to have them safely removed, let me know.

Mercury toxicity also plays a role in autism spectrum disorders.

5:48PM PDT on Sep 9, 2008

Alzheimer's runs in my family so I tend to keep up on the current news on prevention and treatment. Along with the above information, again and again I read about the importance of keeping mentally active, continually testing one's cognitive skills as way to help stave off the onset of this disease. This recent 5-year study, Mental Activity Helps to Lower Risk of Alzheimer's Disease, found, among other things, that "a cognitively active person in old age was 2.6 times less likely to develop dementia and Alzheimer's disease than a cognitively inactive person in old age". Reading, crosswords puzzles, sudoku, etc. are all simple mental exercises that can be done daily, plus they're fun!