Across the world an estimated 44 million people are enduring the harsh reality of living with Alzheimer's disease.
By 2050 that figure is set to double.
Countless scientific studies are dedicated to furthering our understanding of the disease.
Some recent research suggests doctors may be able to detect Alzheimer's early, simply by swabbing your mouth.
Between the age of 24 and 80, a typical brain decreases in weight by around 20 per cent, and blood flow to the vital organ also decreases at the same rate, writes Anna Magee for Healthista.
What’s more, our frontal lobe – the part of the brain that’s key to mental abilities – shrinks and we can experience changes in memory, problem-solving, decision-making and attention.
But, a new saliva test may be the key to early diagnosis.
Researchers have found evidence of substances in saliva that can distinguish between a person aging normally, and those with Alzheimer’s.
The research is still in its early stages, but it suggests that higher protein levels in the saliva may be predictors for Alzheimer’s.
Here are the proven ways you can help preserve your brain health and lower your risk of developing Alzheimer’s and dementia now...
1. Stay mentally challenged
Recent research, published in the journal Neurology found that a lifetime spent challenging the brain through reading, writing and other stimulating activities slowed the brain decline linked to dementia.
Scientists tested 294 people over the age of 55 to measure memory and thinking every year until they died.
Interestingly, the researchers looked at participants' brains after death looking for evidence of the physical signs of dementia, including brain lesions and plaques.
Those that maintained high levels of brain stimulation – reading, writing and so on – had a 15 per cent slower rate of brain decline.
So keep reading.
2. Increase brain ‘plasticity'
This is nothing to do with Tupperware.
Rather, brain plasticity refers to the ease with which the neurons in our brains connect with one another and how the more they are used, the stronger they get.
Neuroplasticity refers to the positive changes that can occur in the brain as a result of exposure to new experiences and learning opportunities.
3. Find your calm zone
‘The hormones produced by being under stress are bad for brain function,’ says Dr Jessica Grahn, research scientist specialising in brain health at the Medical Research Council.
‘Hormones such as adrenalin and cortisol are only meant to be released in short bursts, but over a longer period they start to have negative effects on concentration.’
Excessive cortisol can also damage the cells of the part of the brain known as the hippocampus, affecting our ability to learn, absorb and remember information.
4. Give-up multi-tasking
‘There are studies that specifically show multi-tasking doesn’t make us as efficient as we’d like to think it does,’ says Dr Grahn.
'We often would have been much better off doing each of the tasks separately.
'If it’s two mindless activities such as listening to the radio while washing up, that’s probably fine, but if both tasks require a bit of thought, multitasking won’t help.’
5. Make ‘multisensory associations’
We use our eyesight and hearing the most, but smell, taste and touch are also powerful memory stimulators.
The more you can use all your senses when you meet someone, the more likely their name – and the memory of the meeting – is to stay in your mind because you’ve made a ‘multisensory association’ with them.
Focus on the feel of their hand, is it rough, soft, cold, warm? What’s their smell? Are they wearing scent?
Focus on their voice – is it deep or shrill?
6. Eat Smart
Swedish researchers found that eating a wide range of fruit and vegetables - about 500 grams a day - in mid-life has been associated with a reduced risk of Alzheimer’s and dementia 30 years later.
Further studies have found that a high intake of carrots, cruciferous vegetables, citrus fruits and high-fibre breads were associated with increased cognitive function.
7. Choose a Mediterranean diet
In general, a Mediterranean diet is a protective one when it comes to brain health.
‘In the US, researchers followed 3,000 people for four years and found those with the highest intake of olive oil, nuts, fish, tomatoes, poultry, vegetables, fruits and dark green leafy vegetables were protected against Alzheimer’s, especially where their diets were also associated with a lower intake of high fat dairy, red meat and butter,’ says Professor A. David Smith, founding director of the Oxford Project to Investigate Memory and Ageing at Oxford University.
‘Our studies have also found that drinking unlimited amounts of tea, half a glass of red wine and a little bit of chocolate each day improved brain cognition.'
8. Get your brain vitamins
The Oxford team also found that people with low vitamin B12 in their blood were six times more likely to experience the brain shrinking that is usually associated with old age, compared to those who had higher levels of the vitamin.
Find vitamin B12 in meat (especially liver), fish, shellfish, poultry, eggs, milk, yoghurt and fortified breakfast cereals.
Folate is also important for the functioning of the brain.
It is found in liver (especially calves’), baker’s yeast, green leafy vegetables, okra, lentils, black-eyed peas, baked beans, kidney beans, broccoli, eggs, tomatoes, bananas, fresh orange juice, and strawberries.
9. Check your blood pressure
‘High blood pressure in your 40s and 50s is a strong risk factor for the later development of Alzheimer’s and dementia,’ said Professor Smith.
‘But we also know that if you go to your doctor and have high blood pressure identified and treated, be that through medication or lifestyle or both, you can reduce your risk.’
10. Walk for 45 minutes, three times a week
‘Aerobic exercise promotes greater connection between brain neurons,’ says Dr Grahn.
‘Our memories, skills and abilities depend on the making of new connections between these neurons.’
In studies on middle-aged adults who go brisk walking for 45 minutes three times a week compared to groups who only do stretching exercises, the walking groups showed improvements in brain activity and ability to maintain attention.
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