
Seven ways to a healthy brain
People are living longer so Alzheimer’s disease is becoming more common. But there are things you can do to reduce the risk of dementia;
By: Amy Fenton, The Independent
Tuesday, 27 May 2008.
It is estimated that, by 2025, more than a million people in Britain will suffer from Alzheimer’s. Its symptoms include memory loss, confusion and language breakdown, and it is incurable.
Train your brain
When it comes to retaining brain agility, the “use it or lose it” principle holds true. Games such as Brain Age on Nintendo DS can help us to increase brain flexibility and activity
Keep fit
There is good evidence that keeping fit can help to keep your brain in shape. A Swedish study showed that regular exercise can reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s by 50 per cent.
Relieve the pain
According to a study by the University of Washington, cholesterol-lowering drugs may reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s by almost 80 per cent.
Work at your social life
Having plenty of friends is another factor.
Work by the Alzheimer’s Society has shown that the chances of inheriting the disease from a parent or relative could be moderately low.
“We know that there are a small number of families where there is a very clear inheritance of dementia from one generation to the next,” Sorensen says.
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