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PROTECT YOURSELF

New research
shows a strong
link between your
lifestyle traits
and Alzheimer’s

disease risk.

5BEHAVIORS TO
Protect Your Brain
MIND HAVING A HEALTHY lifestyle may be the 3. K eeping the brain active: Staying engaged
GAMES ticket to prevent future Alzheimer’s disease. in meaningful activities has been shown to
Last summer, a study published in the medical benefit the brain and improve memory.
People who are more journal Neurology gave researchers hope
engaged in activities that that Alzheimer’s disease risk can be reduced 4. L imiting alcohol: Binge drinking causes
keep their mind active may with a combination of five lifestyle changes. immediate and long-term effects on the brain.
be less likely to experience In fact, participants that closely followed all Heavy drinking accelerates shrinkage of the
Alzheimer’s disease, or they five behaviors had a 60% reduced chance of brain, which may cause cognitive decline with
may be able to delay the developing the disease. age. However, this may be reversible with
onset of symptoms. Try some abstinence.
of these fun activities to “You can’t separate the mind from the rest
stretch your mind: of the body,” says Harry Strothers, MD, MMM, 5. N ot smoking: The inflammation and oxidative
» Commit to weekly CAQ-G, FAAFP, Chief of the Family Health Center stress caused by cigarette smoke has been
at Atrium Health Navicent. “Your Alzheimer’s linked to Alzheimer’s disease.
memorization, whether disease risk is directly influenced by what you It’s important to note that those who followed
it be a song, poem or choose to do every day for your health.”
proverb. all five healthy behaviors saw the most reduced
» Learn a musical instrument. STICK TO HEALTHY BEHAVIORS risk. Adults who followed three or fewer behavior
» Pick up a second language. changes didn’t see a drastic reduction in
» Play strategic games with Each of the participants in the study were scored Alzheimer’s disease risk. But this study gives people
family and friends. based on the following habits: encouragement to stay motivated with a healthy
» Read often. 1. Following the MIND diet: The MIND diet lifestyle, not just for the body but also the mind.
» Set up a puzzle table
and dedicate time each stands for “Mediterranean-DASH Intervention “In most cases, this disease is one you can do
weekend to work on for Neurodegenerative Delay.” This style of something about,” Dr. Strothers says. “You don’t
puzzles. eating combines the Mediterranean and DASH have to worry or accept your fate. You can make
» Take a night class. (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) these changes today to get on the right track to
» Volunteer or sign up to be diets. The MIND diet focuses on fruits, preventing Alzheimer’s disease.”
a mentor. vegetables, whole grains, seafood, poultry,
legumes, nuts and olive oil, while limiting red YOUR PRIMARY CARE PROVIDER CAN
meat, sugar, cheese, butter and fried foods. HELP MONITOR RISK FACTORS AND
2. G etting at least 150 minutes every week of WARNING SIGNS OF COGNITIVE
moderate to vigorous-intensity exercise DECLINE. NEED A PHYSICIAN? FIND ONE
AT WWW.NAVICENTHEALTH.ORG.

6 navicenthealth.org | SUMMER 2021