Lower Your Risk of Dementia with Your Life Choices

There is so much information out there about genetic reasons for developing Dementia. However, there will never be just one Alzheimer’s gene, and genetic predisposition for a disease is not your destiny. Although getting older is the biggest risk factor for dementia, evidence shows there are things you can do to help lower your risk. You can influence your genes with food and with your thoughts.

10 Tips to Lower Your Risk of Dementia

Beware of high copper levels – Copper appears to be one of the main environmental factors that enhance the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.
Avoid allergy medication and others linked to Alzheimer’s: Dramamine, Benedryl, Unisom, Advil PM, some sleep medication, antidepressants, as well as several COPD, asthma, & bladder control medicines.
Sleep in ‘brain friendly’ positions. Sleep in the lateral (side) sleep position to most efficiently clear the brain of the metabolic waste products that build up while we are awake.
Avoid brain-damaging pesticides by shopping organic when possible (Check out the EWG’s Tips to Avoid Pesticides).
Live with purpose & exercise your mind. Find something you like doing that challenges your brain and do it regularly. Talking and communicating with other people may also help to reduce your risk of dementia. Also, incorporating meditation and mindfulness has excellent benefits for your neurological health.
Get plenty of Healthy Fats into your diet. A dietary intake of fish and omega-3 fatty acids has been shown to improve both early brain development and middle-aged brain development, which may slow the onset of cognitive decline as you age.
Practice good oral hygiene. A study has found that people with poor oral hygiene or gum disease could be at higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s compared with those who have healthy teeth.
Stop alcohol and tobacco use.
Eat a clean, balanced diet with plenty of organic, Non-GMO fruits and vegetables and good quality protein. You should also avoid processed foods high in starch and sugars.
Go for a walk three times a week. Walking and overall cardiovascular-focused exercises improved brain function and thinking skills.

Dementia doesn’t have to ruin lives. By lowering your risk factors, keeping an eye on symptoms, and focusing on your overall health, it is possible to have a quality life and reverse this awful disease. At Integrative Health Matters, we seek to look at the root cause of these symptoms and treat the whole patient with diet, vitamins, supplements, metal testing, detoxification, and health coaching.

We’re passionate about preventing Dementia and Alzheimer’s and addressing risk factors. Our 9-month Bredesen Protocol Wellness Program is designed to improve cognition and reverse the effects of cognitive decline. If you’re experiencing these symptoms or risk factors in your life, contact us to schedule an appointment or to learn more about our Bredesen Program.

Help me lower my risk of Dementia!