Stay Mentally Challenged. Seniors who engage in reading
books or newspapers, doing crossword puzzles and word or card games, or who
attend adult education classes may be more likely to ward off Alzheimer's as
they age. Researchers at Columbia University in New
York found that participation in intellectual and
social activities among seniors was associated with fewer cases of Alzheimer's
disease.
Practice Good Waist Management. Having a thick middle in
the middle years increases the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, a study
of more than 6,500 adults from Northern California
found. Belly fat, in particular, may be bad for the brain. Having a large
abdomen increased the risk of dementia regardless of whether someone was normal
weight, overweight or obese.
Work It. Another study, from Duke University,
found that having a job that challenges the intellect may help to keep the mind
sharp into old age. And the more complex the job, the better memory and
thinking skills held up after retirement. The jobs that proved most beneficial
included careers like law, medicine and journalism. But any tasks that required
complex organization, decision-making and multi-tasking boosted brain function
late into life.
Stay in School. Research continues to show that the more
years of formal education someone has, the lower the risk of Alzheimer's
disease. Most recently, investigators in Italy showed that men and women who
had many years of schooling and who went on to work in demanding jobs were much
more likely stay mentally alert into old age. Even though their brains had many
of the changes typical of Alzheimer's disease, education seemed to protect them
against memory loss and problems with thinking.
Maintain an Active Social Life. Men and women who
remained socially connected with friends and family as they aged had sharper
memories, a study from the Harvard School of Public Health reported. The
findings add to a growing body of evidence that active social engagement is key
to keeping the brain fit and lowering the risk of Alzheimer's among the elderly.
Walk for the Brain. Seniors who regularly took walks and
engaged in other forms of moderate exercise had a lower risk of developing
vascular dementia, a form of memory loss tied to poor blood flow in the brain. Vascular
dementia is the second most common form of dementia, after Alzheimer's disease,
and affects a large segment of the senior population. Poor blood flow may also
aggravate the memory loss and symptoms of Alzheimer's disease.
Keep Cholesterol in Check. Scientists still aren't sure
whether statins, the popular cholesterol-lowering drugs that are prescribed for
heart disease, help protect against Alzheimer's disease. But they do know that
having high cholesterol, at midlife or in later years, can raise the risk of
Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia. And statin drugs are proven fighters
against heart attacks and strokes. To help keep cholesterol in check, eat a
heart-healthy diet and exercise regularly.
Control Blood Pressure. Getting blood pressure under
control, an important step for reducing heart disease and stroke, may also help
reduce rates of Alzheimer's as well. And it's never too late. New findings show
that for seniors in their 80s and 90s, lowering blood pressure with
antihypertensive medications was good for the brain.
Pass the Fish. Once again, research showed that eating
tuna and other types of oily fish like salmon, mackerel and anchovies may help
lower the risk of memory decline and stroke in healthy older adults. Fish that
was baked or broiled, but not fried, appeared to benefit the brain.
Surf the Web. Finally, searching the Internet may be
good the brain. Researchers at the University
of California, Los Angeles, found that surfing the Web
triggers key centers in the brain involved in decision-making and complex
reasoning.
