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Prevention
By Mayo Clinic staffThere's no sure way to prevent dementia, but there are steps you can take that might help. More research is needed, but it can't hurt to do the following:
- Keep your mind active. Mentally stimulating activities may increase your ability to cope with or compensate for the changes associated with dementia. This includes such things as doing puzzles and word games, learning a language, playing an instrument, reading, writing, painting or drawing. Not only can these activities delay the onset of dementia, but they can help decrease its effects — the more frequent the activity, the more beneficial the effects.
- Be physically and socially active. Physical and social activities can delay the onset of dementia and also reduce its symptoms. The more frequent the activities, the more significant their effects. Examples of physical activity are walking, swimming and dancing. Social activities include traveling, attending the theater and art exhibits, and playing cards or games.
- Lower your homocysteine levels. Early research has shown that high doses of three B vitamins — folic acid, B-6 and B-12 — help lower homocysteine levels and appear to slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease.
- Lower your cholesterol levels. The deposits that occur in the brains of people with high cholesterol are one of the causes of vascular dementia. So lowering your cholesterol levels can help prevent this condition. Statin drugs, which help lower cholesterol levels, also may help lower the risk of developing dementia.
- Control your diabetes. Controlling diabetes can reduce your risk of developing Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia.
- Quit smoking. Although some studies indicate that only current smoking increases dementia risk, at least one large study found that heavy smoking (more than two packs a day) in midlife more than doubles your risk, even two decades later.
- Lower your blood pressure. Keeping blood pressure at normal levels can significantly reduce your risk of Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia.
- Pursue education. People who've spent more time in formal education appear to have a lower incidence of mental decline, even when they have brain abnormalities. Researchers think that education may help your brain develop a strong nerve cell network that compensates for nerve cell damage caused by Alzheimer's disease.
- Maintain a healthy diet. Eating a healthy diet is important for many reasons, but studies show that a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and omega-3 fatty acids, commonly found in certain fish and nuts, can have a protective effect and decrease your risk of developing dementia.
- Get your vaccinations. Those who receive vaccinations for influenza, tetanus, diphtheria and polio appear to have a significantly reduced risk of Alzheimer's disease, so staying current on your vaccinations could have a protective effect against developing dementia.
References
- Dementia: Hope through research. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/dementias/detail_dementia.htm#1318919213. Accessed Jan. 25, 2010.
- Dementia. Alzheimer's Association. http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_dementia.asp. Accessed Jan. 25, 2011.
- Alternative treatments. Alzheimer's Association. http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_alternative_treatments.asp. Accessed Jan. 25, 2011.
- A guide to dementia diagnosis and treatment. The American Geriatrics Society. http://www.americangeriatrics.org/press/listservs/december_10_2010427672/id:1442 Accessed Jan. 25, 2011.
- NIH State-of-the-science conference statement on preventing Alzheimer's disease and cognitive decline. National Institutes of Health. http://consensus.nih.gov/2010/docs/alz/alz_stmt.pdf. Accessed Jan. 7, 2011.
- Ritchie K, et al. Designing prevention programmes to reduce incidence of dementia: Prospective cohort study of modifiable risk factors. British Medical Journal. 2010;341:c3885.
- Rusanen M, et al. Heavy smoking in midlife and long-term risk of Alzheimer disease and vascular dementia. Archives of Internal Medicine. In press. Accessed Jan. 25, 2011.
- Siedlecki KL, et al. Comparison of patient and caregiver reports of patient activity participation and its relationship to mental health in patients with Alzheimer's disease. Journal of Gerontology: Psychological Services. 2009;64B:687.
- Scarmeas N, et al. Physical activity, diet, and risk of Alzheimer's disease. Journal of the American Medical Association. 2009;302:627.
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