Alzheimer’s is a condition that is generally associated with old age, although it does not occur in all older adults. This is the most common type of dementia, according to the World Health Organization, which is characterized by the gradual loss of brain capabilities.
One of the most obvious symptoms of the progression of this disease is the alteration in memory and cognitive reasoning, causing difficulty for patients to understand the context in which they are. Over time, people with this condition can become unaware of themselves and have drastic personality changes.
The National Library of Medicine of the United States, MedlinePlus, details that no cure for this disease has yet been determined, so the measures that can be adopted are aimed at prevention and alleviating the symptoms presented by patients.
Can Alzheimer’s be prevented?
There are a number of risk factors for the development of Alzheimer’s that can be controlled, in order to prevent deterioration of the brain and its main functions. In this sense, adjusting certain lifestyle habits can favor the reduction of the risk of suffering from dementia, such as diet and physical activity.
According to an article shared by the Colombian Ministry of Health, in commemoration of World Alzheimer’s Day 2021, it has been found that some practices can stimulate brain activity and combat damage to this vital organ over time.
Moreover, there are studies that suggest that the simpler tasks that are part of everyday life could help mitigate the risk of developing Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia. This is demonstrated by a study reviewed in the academic dissemination portal Science Daily, in which the effect that housework could have on protecting the brain’s capacity was verified.
This work, originally published in the American Academy of Neurology, suggests that some household tasks, such as washing dishes, sweeping, mopping or cleaning, can be beneficial, because the body is activated to function.
To evaluate the incidence of these practices in the prevention of Alzheimer’s, a study was carried out in which more than 500,000 older adults in the United Kingdom participated, who declared that they did not suffer from any kind of dementia. Following up on the activities carried out by the participants in the analysis and their health status, the existence of a relationship between certain habits and the development of Alzheimer’s was determined.
After more than a decade, 1% of the participants, that is, 5,185 people, declared they had dementia. When reviewing the data, it was concluded that those who assured that they carried out daily tasks at home had a 21% lower risk of developing this type of dementia, compared to those who did not.
Among others, it was found that exercise also has a positive effect on the preservation of the state of the brain, since those who reported regular physical activity had a 35% lower risk of suffering from Alzheimer’s.
According to Huan Song, author of the work, he indicated that this “has found that by participating more frequently in healthy physical and mental activities, people can reduce their risk of dementia”, although it also clarifies that more research is needed to have more conclusive results.
The Mayo Clinic portal points out that habits that promote general well-being, such as reducing smoking and alcohol consumption, can help maintain brain capabilities. It also has a positive effect on the regulation of substances that are harmful to the circulatory system, such as cholesterol and blood glucose.
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