Summary
Studies show engaging in meaningful mental and social activities as we age helps prevent the onset of Alzheimer's disease.
Original source:
http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/northphoenix/articles/0629sr-aging27Z3.html
Details
At a recent conference on the prevention of Alzheimer's disease, several new and exciting research findings offered hope for patients and their families.
Of course, the obvious finding that I have touted for years is to use your brain or lose it, and there seems to be some support for it.
The new label that researchers are using is "cognitive reserve."
Scientists have concluded that the brain can continue to grow new neurons throughout life.
The more you work your brain to grow the neurons, the greater your cognitive reserve.
As I have advocated in the past, you need to try new mental activities like playing bridge or learning a new language.
Taking courses at a college or university can offer a challenge.
It is important that you engage in some mental challenge on a daily basis.
Another series of studies from the conference suggests that you need to be socially active if you want to reduce your risk of Alzheimer's disease.
If you are socially isolated, you have less opportunity for mental stimulation.
As we age, we lose family and friends who provided our social environment.
Seek out opportunities to socialize through activities like book groups or even game nights where you participate in mentally stimulating games.
We already knew of links between physical inactivity and chronic conditions like heart disease and diabetes.
These affect memory and can lead to dementia.
One study found that those who were physically and mentally inactive were more than three times as likely to get Alzheimer's
disease as they age.
Researchers in Sweden found that those individuals who were obese were more than twice as likely to get Alzheimer's disease.
There were a series of studies that discussed diet.
About the author: Mike Adams is a natural health author and award-winning journalist with a passion for teaching people how to improve their health He has authored and published thousands of articles, interviews, consumers guides, and books on topics like health and the environment, and he has created several downloadable courses on survival and preparedness, including his widely-downloaded course on personal safety and self-defense. Adams is a trusted, independent journalist who receives no money or promotional fees whatsoever to write about other companies' products. In 2010, Adams created TV.NaturalNews.com, a natural living video sharing site featuring thousands of user videos on foods, fitness, green living and more. He's also a noted technology pioneer and founded a software company in 1993 that developed the HTML email newsletter software currently powering the NaturalNews subscriptions. Adams also serves as the executive director of the Consumer Wellness Center, a non-profit consumer protection group, and regularly pursues cycling, nature photography, Capoeira and Pilates. Known by his callsign, the 'Health Ranger,' Adams posts his missions statements, health statistics and health photos at www.HealthRanger.org
Have comments on this article? Post them here:
people have commented on this article.
Tuesday, July 12, 2005
Email this article to a friend
Share
this article on: 
