As you age, you may have concerns about the increased risk of dementia. You may have questions, too. Are there steps I can take to prevent it? Is there anything I can do to reduce my risk? There are currently no approaches that have been proven to effectively treat or prevent Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. However, as with many other diseases, there may be steps you can take to help reduce your risk. Show
What Are Risk Factors?A risk factor is something that may increase the chance of developing a disease. Some risk factors can be controlled while others cannot. For example, a person is not able to control their age, which is the greatest known risk factor for Alzheimer’s and related dementias. Another uncontrollable risk factor is a person’s genes. Genes are structures in our body’s cells that are passed down from a person’s birth parents. Changes in genes — even small changes — can cause diseases. Race and gender are also factors that influence risk. Research shows that African Americans, American Indians, and Alaska Natives have the highest rates of dementia, and that risk factors may differ for women and men. Researchers are investigating what’s behind these differences. However, people do have control over their behavior and lifestyle, which can influence their risk for certain diseases. For example, high blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease. Lowering blood pressure with lifestyle changes or medication can help reduce a person’s risk for heart disease and heart attack. To determine which risk factors may prevent a disease or condition, researchers first conduct observational studies to make associations. They then conduct carefully controlled clinical trials. For example, researchers identified an association between high blood pressure and heart attacks and then completed clinical trials to determine that lowering a person’s blood pressure would indeed lower the likelihood of having a heart attack. This is not to say that people who lower their blood pressure definitely won’t have a heart attack. But it significantly lowers the chances. For Alzheimer’s and related dementias, no behavior or lifestyle factors have risen to the level of researchers being able to say: This will definitely prevent these diseases. But there are promising avenues. Making Healthy Lifestyle Choices May Reduce Your Risk of DementiaWhat Do We Know About Reducing Risk for Dementia?The number of older Americans is rising, so the number of people with dementia is predicted to increase. However, some studies have shown that incidence rates of dementia — meaning new cases in a population over a certain period of time — have decreased in some locations, including in the United States. Based on observational studies, factors such as healthy lifestyle behaviors and higher levels of education may be contributing to such a decline. But the cause and effect is uncertain, and such factors need to be tested in a clinical trial to prove whether they can prevent dementia. A review of published research evaluated the evidence from clinical trials on behavior and lifestyle changes to prevent or delay Alzheimer’s or age-related cognitive decline. The review found “encouraging but inconclusive” evidence for three types of behavioral changes (called interventions): physical activity, blood pressure control, and cognitive training. The findings mean that interventions in these areas are promising enough that researchers should keep studying them to learn more. Researchers continue to explore these and other interventions to determine whether — and in what amounts or forms — they might prevent dementia. Watch a video below that highlights conclusions and recommendations from the research review. What Can You Do?Although there is no effective treatment or proven prevention for Alzheimer’s and related dementias, in general, leading a healthy lifestyle may help address risk factors that have been associated with these diseases.
Researchers cannot say for certain whether making the above lifestyle changes will protect against dementia, but these changes are good for your health and are all part of making healthy choices as you age. Watch Out for False Alzheimer’s CuresAlthough you might see commercials or online advertisements for products promising to improve brain health and prevent dementia, be cautious about such products. There currently is no product that will effectively prevent or treat Alzheimer’s or related dementias. Check with your doctor before trying any new medication or supplement. What’s Next With Dementia Prevention Research?More research is needed to find ways to help prevent Alzheimer’s and related dementias. Future research may determine that specific interventions are needed to prevent or delay the disease in some people, but others may need a combination of treatments based on their individual risk factors. Understanding risk factors and choices you can make now is important for both your present and future health. In addition to this website, consider the resources listed below to learn more. You can also help researchers learn more about preventing dementia by participating in clinical trials and studies. Search the Alzheimers.gov Clinical Trials Finder to find studies that need volunteers. Research on Alzheimer’s Disease and Related DementiasThe federal government and others are exploring diverse research areas to improve quality of life for people with dementia and to prevent and treat these diseases. Find More Resources on Dementia Risk and Brain HealthExplore the resources on this website and linked below to find more information from federal government agencies. National Institute on Aging (NIA), National Institutes of Health Assessing Risk for Alzheimer's Disease Learn about genetic and other risk factors for early- and late-onset Alzheimer’s disease. National Institute on Aging (NIA), National Institutes of Health Reducing Your Risk of Dementia View, download, or order a free publication about steps you can take to lead a healthy lifestyle that may help lower your risk of dementia. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Healthy Brain Initiative Find information on steps to promote brain health, address cognitive impairment, and address the needs of caregivers. What are 3 causes of Alzheimer's?These include:. smoking.. obesity.. diabetes.. high blood pressure.. high cholesterol.. Can Alzheimer's be prevented if caught early?Can early-onset Alzheimer disease be prevented? Experts don't know how to prevent Alzheimer disease. Recently, some evidence showed that detecting the disease early can lead to better treatment options.
What foods prevent Alzheimer's?Ingredients of the MIND Diet. Leafy green vegetables, at least 6 servings/week.. Other vegetables, at least 1 serving/day.. Berries, at least 2 servings/week.. Whole grains, at least 3 servings/day.. Fish, 1 serving/week.. Poultry, 2 servings/week.. Beans, 3 servings/week.. Nuts, 5 servings/week.. Can Alzheimer's be prevented or cured?Although there is no cure for Alzheimer's, being physically active, eating nutritiously, limiting alcohol consumption, and not smoking may help reduce the risk. “Research has shown that 40% of Alzheimer's cases may be preventable based on modifiable risk factors,” Dr. Niotis says.
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