Self-care tips for Alzheimer's prevention

on World Alzheimer's Day, September 21

Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia, characterized by the accumulation of proteins known as Beta-Amyloid and Tau, as well as the deterioration of nerve cells.

Many people believe that we cannot avoid Alzheimer's as we age, although age is a risk factor that cannot be changed. However, we can still reduce other risk factors to help prevent and delay Alzheimer's.

A study compiling 38 long-term studies involving over 2.1 million participants concluded that engaging in leisure activities can reduce the risk of Alzheimer's by up to 20%. This is because the key to preventing Alzheimer's is keeping the brain stimulated.

The 3 types of leisure activities that benefit the brain include:

Cognitive Activities

such as reading, practicing handwriting or letter writing, solving puzzles, playing musical instruments, drawing, or engaging in craftwork, can reduce the risk of Alzheimer's by 23%

→ These help maintain various skills such as memory, thinking, reasoning, and also support the preservation of the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus, the two areas most affected in the early stages of Alzheimer's.

Physical Activities

like walking, jogging, swimming, yoga, or dancing can reduce the risk of Alzheimer's by 17%.

→ Exercise aids in the connectivity of brain cells and slows down memory decline. This is also linked to reduced levels of Beta-Amyloid and Tau proteins.

Social Activity

that involve communication with others, such as joining classes, volunteering, engaging in religious activities, meeting friends, or spending time with family, can reduce the risk of Alzheimer's by 7%.

→ Socializing and interacting with others, as well as feeling loved and cared for, reduce the risk of depression and anxiety, which positively impacts brain function.

Engaging in these activities not only helps delay and prevent Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia but also offers various health benefits, such as reducing cancer risk, lowering the risk of heart irregularities, and enhancing self-awareness.

Therefore, try to stay physically active and find activities you enjoy and can do regularly. It will keep you motivated to continue, and in the future, you will be thankful for your consistency.

On World Alzheimer's Day, September 21, BDMS Wellness Clinic would like to be a part in creating awareness to reduce the risk of Alzheimer's. We can start today: Never too early, never too late.

โทร: 028269999

LINE: @bdmswellnessclinic

Reference

• Su S, Shi L, Zheng Y, Sun Y, Huang X, Zhang A, et al. Leisure activities and the risk of dementia. Neurology. 2022;99(15). doi:10.1212/wnl.0000000000200929
• Livingston G, Huntley J, Sommerlad A, Ames D, Ballard C, Banerjee S, et al. Dementia prevention, intervention, and care: 2020 report of The Lancet Commission. The Lancet. 2020;396(10248):413–46. doi:10.1016/s0140-6736(20)30367-6 
• Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI) . Adi - World Alzheimer’s Month [Internet]. [cited 2023 Jul 3]. Available from: https://www.alzint.org/get-involved/world-alzheimers-month/