Over the past 2 years, I've been researching Alzheimer’s disease on a daily basis. I've seen a lot of headlines over that time. It seems as though each week there is a new theme about ways to prevent Alzheimer’s disease.
I've seen everything from what makes sense like diet and exercise, to what seems absolutely absurd like leading a naturalist (being naked) lifestyle or even getting a vasectomy.
When you've been around someone with later-stage Alzheimer’s disease, you definitely think about how your lifestyle may put you at risk. The problem is that we just don’t know the cause nor do we have the answer.
It’s likely that many factors contribute to whether a person gets the disease. And since our biological chemistry is different from person to person, there won’t be one answer.
Rather than fretting about what may cause Alzheimer’s, all we can really do is focus on the things that we know make sense for good health. These are the same things we have been hearing about for years - good diet, exercise, and reduced stress to name a few.
With Alzheimer’s, we should add socialization and the elimination of toxins because these also make sense. Without socialization, we don’t get external stimulation that helps us grow; it’s like adding nutrients to the soil. We don’t put toxins into the soil and we shouldn't put them into our bodies either. Some toxins we simply can’t control but others we can through smart consumer choices.
Anxiety and stress aren't good for anyone and likely contribute to many health related issues including Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia. So stop worrying about what may cause Alzheimer’s and start enjoying life but be aware of what may be unhealthy lifestyle choices.
Have you found yourself worried about getting Alzheimer’s? Maybe you are considering to be tested because of family history? Please share with us.
About the Author: Mike Good is founder of Together In This, http://togetherinthis.com/, an online resource helping family members caring for someone with Alzheimer’s. Through short, informative articles and easy-to-use tools, such as the Introductory Guide to Alzheimer’s, he helps you take control and have peace-of-mind you are doing the right things.