Proven Best Ways to Decrease Your Risk for Alzheimer’s and Dementia
Strong evidence that anything prevents Alzheimer’s disease is lacking, but a few changes can likely delay memory loss, according to a 2017 review by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.Specific memory training, consistent exercise and controlling high blood pressure offer the best hope, the committee concluded. Members examined the best research on ways to limit or prevent cognitive impairment, the loss of ability to think clearly and make decisions that often afflicts older adults.The number of Americans with Alzheimer’s is more than 5 million, and growing as the overall population ages. Treatments such as Aricept (donezepil) and Namenda boost working brain cells with unaffected neurons, but there is no cure.
Commercial Products Are Not Effective
There is no evidence that the profusion of online and commercial products, from supplements to memory games, slow or prevent the decline, according to experts. “At present, there are no pharmacologic or lifestyle interventions that will prevent mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer's disease,” said Dr. Ronald Petersen, an Alzheimer’s expert at the Mayo Clinic, who was on the committee.“All this is not new, but this review is the strongest evidence base we have,” Petersen added.“We have all been exposed to a study here, a study there. One suggests this intervention is beneficial, the other finds it’s not. This review looked at the totality of literature over the last six years and put it to the most rigorous test you can imagine.”
Cognitive Training, Exercise and Blood Pressure Control
“Even though clinical trials have not conclusively supported the three interventions discussed in our report, the evidence is strong enough to suggest the public should at least have access to these results to help inform their decisions about how they can invest their time and resources to maintain brain health with aging,” said Dr. Alan Leshner, chair of the committee and CEO emeritus of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.“The strongest evidence was in the area of cognitive training,” Petersen said.Do crossword puzzles or Sudoku qualify? They won’t hurt, but studies show gains from specialized training called mnemonic strategies. Mnemonic memory programs include face-name recognition and name-face learning, number mnemonics, story mnemonics, and the method of loci, where key details are kept along a familiar route or place you recall.“Can you, in fact, find a new way to try to remember a list of grocery items?” Peterson asked. Also, try figuring out restaurant tips in your head, he advised, instead of using a calculator or your smartphone.Commercial products have not proven they help, Petersen cautioned.
Exercise Helps Your Aging Brain
Several studies indicate that exercise is important. “Here we're talking about modest aerobic exercise,” Petersen said. Brisk walking and cycling are good choices. A preponderance of documentation demonstrates the health benefits of physical activity. Some of these benefits, such as stroke prevention, are causally related to brain health.“Is it going to prevent Alzheimer's disease?” asked Peterson. “I can't say that. But I think it may have an effect on reducing cognitive impairment.”
Conclusions
None of the evidence is strong enough to justify a public education campaign, the committee of experts found. But it did point to the need for more and larger randomized, controlled research.“We’re all urgently seeking ways to prevent dementia and cognitive decline with age,” said Dr. Richard Hodes, director of the National Institute on Aging.Source: http://blog.csa.us/ October 3,2017Image courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net