Dr. Amen reveals 11 ways to prevent Alzheimer’s disease before symptoms appear

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Analysis developments in Alzheimer’s disease, together with newly accredited blood exams for early detection, have helped sufferers get identified sooner.

Because the widespread dementia has been on the rise amongst youthful people, the highlight is on methods to stop or sluggish the illness.

Dr. Daniel Amen, a psychiatrist, mind imaging physician and founding father of Amen Clinics in California, spoke with Fox Information Digital in an interview about Alzheimer’s threat and administration.

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“Alzheimer’s begins in your mind a long time earlier than you will have any signs,” he mentioned. “So, a 59-year-old girl I identified with Alzheimer’s illness probably had damaging modifications in her mind in her 20s.”

“It is actually by no means too early to consider protecting your brain and your thoughts.”

doctor examining image of a brain and dr. daniel amen headshot

Dr. Daniel Amen (proven proper) is the founding father of Amen Clinics mind imaging services throughout the nation. (iStock; Katie Levine)

Amen, who additionally authored the guide “Stopping Alzheimer’s,” confirmed that half of Alzheimer’s circumstances are preventable, in response to latest findings.

This may be completed by nurturing mind well being and treating the 11 main threat components that “steal your thoughts,” he mentioned.

“It is actually by no means too early to consider defending your mind and your thoughts.”

To recollect the components that may assist push back Alzheimer’s, Amen created the acronym “BRIGHTMINDS” as follows.

B- Blood stream

Low blood stream is the No. 1 mind imaging predictor of Alzheimer’s illness, in response to the physician.

Alcohol, marijuana, caffeine, nicotine, sedentary conduct and excess weight or obesity can all lower blood stream, thus ought to be prevented.

Rearview shot of a senior couple going for a walk in the park

Low blood stream has been linked to mind issues, the physician cautioned. (iStock)

To advertise blood stream, Amen suggests “strolling such as you’re late,” which might entail strolling half-hour a day — alternating between three minutes of regular strolling and three minutes of quick strolling.

“Try this 5 instances for half-hour, and it will increase blood stream to your mind,” he mentioned. 

R – Retirement and growing older

Together with retirement and growing older can come a slowdown in studying and cognitive exercise, resulting in a better Alzheimer’s threat, Amen mentioned.

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He encourages retirees to be taught one thing new day by day to maintain the mind lively and wholesome.

I – Irritation

Irritation is a “main trigger” of psychiatric points, Amen revealed, in addition to situations like most cancers, arthritis and heart disease.

Flossing is a simple strategy to cut back irritation within the gums and assist forestall gum illness, which is a gateway to mind illness, in response to the physician.

man flossing his teeth in the bathroom

Flossing can assist cut back irritation within the gums and forestall illness, the physician shared. (iStock)

G – Genetics

“Genes aren’t a loss of life sentence,” Amen mentioned. “What they need to be is a wake-up name.”

The physician mentioned everybody ought to take steps to find which ailments run within the household after which observe a each day prevention program.

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“I’ve coronary heart illness and weight problems in my household,” he mentioned. “I haven’t got coronary heart illness, and I am not chubby. Why? As a result of I am on an weight problems coronary heart illness prevention program day by day of my life.”

H – Head Trauma

Concussions and head trauma are a “main trigger” of psychiatric issues, Amen described, and ought to be prevented.

“Do not textual content and drive,” he warned.

T – Toxins

Some well-known toxins like alcohol, marijuana and different medicine are identified to have damaging impacts on overall health.

However some not-so-obvious toxins can embrace lead, mildew, mercury from fish, and even common anesthesia, Amen cautioned.

man with drink in hand

Some well-known toxins like alcohol, marijuana and different medicine are identified to have damaging impacts on general well being. (iStock)

“You all the time wish to assist your organs in cleansing,” he mentioned. “Drink extra water, because it helps flush issues by your kidneys … eat more fiber in your intestine, and maintain the alcohol.”

Amen additionally advised consuming brassicas, which embrace greens within the cabbage household, as they’ve a detoxifying impact.

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The professional additionally highlighted the advantages of sauna use as a detox device.

“The individuals who take essentially the most saunas have the bottom incidence of Alzheimer’s illness,” he said.

M – Psychological Well being

A healthy mental state will assist assist a more healthy mind, consultants agree.

“Cease believing each silly factor you suppose,” Amen suggested.

I – Immunity and Infections

Retaining your physique wholesome and immune from infections is vital to overall health, in response to Amen.

The physician advised optimizing vitamin D consumption, which can assist assist the mind and immune system.

illustration of the human brain

Retaining your physique wholesome and immune from infections is vital to general well being, in response to the physician. (iStock)

N – Neurohormones

The mind specialist recommends having a hormone steadiness test completed yearly, as any imbalances can intervene with the mind and enhance Alzheimer’s threat.

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D – Diabesity

“Diabesity,” a time period referring to the parallel prevalence of weight problems and type 2 diabetes, is usually a main risk to general well being, the physician warned.

“You actually wish to care about your weight,” Amen mentioned.

man waist measurement

Being chubby can lower the scale and performance of the mind, analysis has proven. (iStock)

Weight and food plan play an vital function in mind well being, as Amen’s analysis has proven that as weight will increase, the scale and performance of the mind decreases.

“Genes aren’t a loss of life sentence. What they need to be is a wake-up name.”

“Being chubby, you routinely have 10 of the 11 threat components, as a result of being chubby lowers blood stream, accelerates growing older, will increase irritation and modifications your hormones in a damaging approach,” he mentioned.

“Be conscious of solely loving meals that loves you again.”

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S – Sleep

Sleep is essential for a high-functioning thoughts, as an sufficient night time’s slumber “washes” the mind each night time, Amen famous.

Better sleep interprets to improved reminiscence, vitality, blood stream and decision-making, the physician mentioned, and ought to be a precedence when working to stop Alzheimer’s. 

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