How to lower your risk of Alzheimer’s

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, accounting for between 50 and 80 percent of all cases.

Researchers are closer than ever to finding a cure, but sometimes prevention is the best medicine.

There are some easy things you can do to prevent developing Alzheimer’s:

• Add cinnamon to your diet – consuming a teaspoon of this spice has been shown to block the production of proteins in the brain that contribute to the onset of Alzheimer’s.

• Drink apple juice – it boosts the production of a chemical compound in the brain associated with learning, memory, mood and muscle movement.

• Drink coffee – it acts as an anti-inflammatory that can block cholesterol buildup in the brain. One large study showed that men and women who drank three to five cups of coffee a day reduced their chances of dementia by 65 percent.

• Socialize more – studies show that a busy social life can improve your cognitive abilities.

• Protect your vision – your eyes are a good indicator of how your brain is functioning. Preserving your vision can actually cut your dementia risk by 63 percent.

• Meditate – this will lower your blood pressure and reduce stress, and it increases blood flow to the brain, which is why researchers believe it helps us retain mental acuity as we age.

• Eat a Mediterranean diet – a diet rich in leafy greens, fish, fruit, nuts and a little red wine can cut your dementia risk in half because it’s chock full of brain-protecting antioxidants.

Taking steps to prevent dementia now will help cut your risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease as you age.