LIFESTYLE CHANGES CAN DECREASE RISK OF DEVELOPING ALZHEIMER’S

If you've ever had a loved one or neighbor with Alzheimer's Disease, you know how debilitating it can be. Alzheimer's Disease is characterized by a progressive and terminal loss of brain function that leaves people without the ability to form new memories or function independently. 

But now research is showing that you can stave off this awful disease by increasing your physical activity levels, not smoking and addressing depression (if you suffer from it). Isn't that great news??? Seriously, you cut your risk in HALF by being healthy and active! No drugs, no gimmicks, just a better mind during your later years...personally, I think that's marvelous! Read below for the full blurb and go for that jog you're body has been craving! : D

From the American College of Preventive Medicine (ACPM) Headlines newsletter:

"About half of the risk factors for Alzheimer's disease are potentially changeable, and reducing them could substantially decrease the number of new cases of disease worldwide, according to a study being presented July 26 at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference and released that day on the website of the journal Lancet Neurology. 

According to the authors from the University of California, San Francisco, physical inactivity is the biggest changeable risk factor in the U.S., accounting for 21% of the risk for Alzheimer's, followed by depression and smoking. Added together, the three factors account for about 50% of the risk and, if decreased by just 10%, about 184,000 Alzheimer's cases in the U.S. and 1.1 million cases worldwide could be prevented, according to the research. A reduction of 25% on all seven risk factors—also including diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, and low educational levels—could prevent nearly half a million cases in the U.S. and more than three million worldwide, the analyses showed.

The study is the first known analysis intended to quantify and compare how risk factors are associated with Alzheimer's.  It is based on mathematical modeling and the assumption these risk factors cause Alzheimer’s, which has not been scientifically proven. The next step in this work is to conduct prevention trials to try to modify these risks to see if they can actually stave off Alzheimer's, says the study’s lead author."