Research is beginning to reveal that it may indeed be possible to prevent dementia. A brief search of the internet uncovered numerous articles focusing on different ways of possibly preventing it. What I have tried to do here is pull it all together. Through the use of the latest professional research I want to give you an overview of what you can do right now to prevent dementia in yourself and in your loved ones, even your currently elderly loved ones.
Exercise
A number of research studies have found that regular moderate exercise acts as a buffer against dementia. Some researchers specifically state that exercise prevents vascular dementia, but not Alzheimer’s disease, while others believe the type of dementia is immaterial. Walking, even for a mere fifteen minutes a day has been found to make a difference. Working up a little sweat with some mildly heavy breathing as we’ve been told to do with any aerobic activity seems to be what is needed. Walking, hiking, aerobics, calisthenics, and water aerobics have all been found effective in preventing dementia. The Research Center of the Karolinska Institute in Sweden found that exercising at least two times a week during middle age decreased the risk of Alzhimer’s disease by 60 percent.
In a study of 1,449 participants examined at midlife prior to the onset of any dementia and then again twenty-one years later, at ages 65 to 79 it was found that those who exercised two times per week during middle age had a significantly reduced risk of dementia even after accounting for other lifestyle and health factors. The greatest benefit of midlife exercise accrued to those who had a genetic susceptibility to Alzheimer’s disease. This result should bring a lot of hope to those who fear their genes may be their destiny. You can change that destiny.
Even those elderly who already show signs of dementia can benefit from exercise. In one experiment elderly participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups: the walking group or the stretching/toning. After 6 months the walking group was found better able to ignore distracting information. This ability is important for concentration.
