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Although genetics is a contributor, this does not mean that if Alzheimer's disease has claimed some members of a family, that all the other members will develop it.
If you are concerned about developing Alzheimer’s disease, the best thing to do is to stay healthy. This includes:
• Eating nutritiously and exercising regularly to keep your body, including your brain’s nerve cells, in shape.
• Remaining socially and mentally active. Social interaction may be protective.
• Getting enough sleep.
• Avoiding cigarette smoke and air pollution. Steering clear of these substances minimises your exposure to free radicals (highly reactive molecules), which have been implicated in the formation of plaques.
• Alcohol consumption, especially in excess, has been identified as neurotoxic.
A recent study links exercise to improvements in memory for those with early short-term memory problems. It was discovered that those who exercised increased the size of their hippocampus (an important part of the brain for memory).
