The pleasurable everyday ways you can cut your Alzheimer’s risk

Whether you’re caring for a loved with this disease, or concerned about it yourself, there’s no doubt that Alzheimer’s is scary.

But are there things you can do — or stop doing — to keep from getting it?

The answer is a resounding “yes.” Because we now know enough to help ward off the memory-robbing disease well before the onset of symptoms.

Clinics have even been set up to measure people’s risk factors and suggest ways to reduce them.

Dr. Richard Isaacson, director of one of these clinics at New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, has had four relatives develop Alzheimer’s. He is 36, and many of his patients are in their 30s or 40s with similar family histories. He tests them for genetic abnormalities that could increase their risk, then gives them advice.

He also follows his own recommendations, some of which include eating lots of berries, drinking coffee, and taking a cocoa supplement.

Playing an instrument is another thing he encourages, since studies have shown it can help keep dementia at bay. In fact, he now plays bass guitar in a rock band.

Reducing sources of stress also might help in preventing Alzheimer’s. Swedish researchers have found having lots of stressors in your life can make you 21 percent more likely to get the disease.

Meanwhile, the Mayo Clinic is working on devising a formula for calculating your Alzheimer’s risk. It’s been doing a long-term study of 4,000 people between 50 and 89 for that purpose.

But experts say you shouldn’t be waiting for the results of this work to get started on your own Alzheimer’s prevention plan.

After all, we’re talking about things like cocoa, music, berries and less stress.

What’s not to like?

Sources:
“Alzheimer’s prevention for 30-somethings with no symptoms” Sumathi Reddy, September 15, 2014, The Wall Street Journal, online.wsj.com