Healthy Lifestyle Choices can Reduce the Risk of Alzheimer’s Disease

Highlights

Alzheimer’s disease affects millions of people in their mid-60s
Healthy diet and regular physical activity can reduce the odds of developing Alzheimer’s disease
Plaques and tau proteins in the brain indicate the onset of Alzheimer’s
Lifestyle factors play a key role in lowering the formation of toxic protein in the brain

A healthy lifestyle that includes regular physical activity, nutritious diet, and a normal body mass index have all been linked to help people stay healthy as they age. These factors may also help reduce the risk Alzheimer’s disease, says a new study by researchers at UCLA's Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior.

Alzheimer’s Disease is a progressive brain disorder that destroys memory and thinking abilities. Alzheimer’s is the most common cause of dementia that causes loss of cognitive function and behavior abilities. Plaques and tangles are some of the features of Alzheimer’s disease. Plaques are abnormal clumps called beta-amyloid protein that deposit in the spaces between nerve cells in the brain. Tangles are bundles of fibers called tau that are found within the brain cells.

Genetics of Alzheimer’s disease
There are numerous genes that have been discovered that are associated with Alzheimer’s disease and indicate increased risk, aiding genetic counseling and better care.

‘Healthy diet, regular physical activity, and normal body weight reduce the formation of plaques in the brain of people with subtle memory loss but with no dementia.’

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Age is the non-modifiable risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease. The symptoms of Alzheimer’s usually occur in people in their mid-60s. Over 5 million Americans suffer from Alzheimer’s, which is also the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. Alzheimer’s cost more than $200 billion in health care every year.

Can a Healthy Lifestyle Reduce Protein Build-Up in the Brain?

Researchers at UCLA's Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior conducted a study that included 44 adults between the ages of 40 to 85 with mild memory changes but without dementia. The participants underwent an experimental type of PET scan to measure the level of plaque and tangles in the brain. The participant's information on body mass index (BMI), levels of physical activity, diet and other lifestyle factors were also collected for the study.

Diet and Alzheimer's Disease
Alzheimer's begins with forgetfulness, but over time affects speech and coordination along with drastic behavioral changes. The right diet may lower your risk by 40%. So isn't a diet change worth it?

The results of the study showed that lifestyle factors such as normal BMI, physical activity, and a Mediterranean diet reduced the levels of plaques and tangles on the brain scans. Mediterranean diet consists of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legume, nuts, and moderate consumption of fish, lean meat, dairy products and replacing saturated fats with olive oil and canola oil.

Dr. David Merrill, the lead author of the study, said, "The fact that we could detect this influence of lifestyle at a molecular level before the beginning of serious memory problems surprised us."

World Alzheimer’s Day 2015
World Alzheimer’s Day is marked on 21st September each year. Alzheimer’s organizations around the world come together towards consciousness-raising on Alzheimer’s and dementia.

Previous studies have shown that a healthy lifestyle could delay the onset of Alzheimer’s. But, the current study is the first to demonstrate how healthy lifestyle factors can reduce abnormal proteins in people with subtle memory loss who have not yet been diagnosed with dementia, said Merrill. Healthy lifestyle factors lower the rates of atrophy in people with Alzheimer’s.

"The study reinforces the importance of living a healthy life to prevent Alzheimer's, even before the development of clinically significant dementia. This work lends key insight not only into the ability of patients to prevent Alzheimer's disease, but also physicians' ability to detect and image these changes,” said Merrill.

Online Brain-Training Could Help Delay Onset of Dementia & Alzheimer’s Disease
The onset of age related degenerative conditions like dementia and Alzheimer’s disease can be delayed by simple web-based brain games.

The researchers hope to conduct further studies in the future that combine imaging with intervention studies of diet, exercise and other modifiable factors such as stress and cognitive health. The study will appear in the September issue of the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry.

Healthy Lifestyle Tips to Reduce Risk of Alzheimer’s

Ensure you get a minimum of seven of eight hours of sleep daily.
Engage in regular physical activities such as walking, jogging, and aerobic exercises.
Include antioxidant-rich foods in the diet such as fruits, green leafy vegetables.
Include omega-3 rich foods such as salmon, mackerel, nuts and seeds, to prevent cell damage.
Manage stress levels with meditation and yoga.
Practice brain challenging activities such as puzzles, scrabble or sudoku

References:

What Is Alzheimer's? - (http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_what_is_alzheimers.asp)
Alzheimer's Disease Fact Sheet - (https://www.nia.nih.gov/alzheimers/publication/alzheimers-disease-fact-sheet)
Alzheimer's and Dementia Prevention - (http://www.helpguide.org/articles/alzheimers-dementia/alzheimers-and-dementia-prevention.htm)

Source-Medindia