Question: What precautions I can take so I don’t get Alzheimer’s disease? My father had it and I sometimes forget things. I’m 53.
Dr. Hibberd's answer:
The answer is in your genetics. But since you cannot change that, you must do everything you can to preserve the brain tissue you have and avoid damaging it. That means eating a healthy diet, exercising (which increase blood flow to keep the brain healthy), and not drinking to excess or taking drugs.
Some research also suggests mental tasks — reading, doing crossword puzzles, learning to play a musical instrument or a second language — can offer some protection from dementia.
But it is most important to preserve the blood circulation in our brains, since this is the main source of the nutrients needed for the brain to work well.
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