7 Breakthroughs in Natural Alzheimer’s Treatments

As you may know, besides genetics, your chances of developing Alzheimer’s or dementia can stem from major environmental and personal lifestyle choices that change how our bodies react, adapt, and evolve over time. Whether it be due to free radical damage, inability to use and digest glucose properly, vitamin deficiencies, and environmental toxins, these are key factors to flag.

Thankfully, thanks to many recent breakthroughs in research behind ways to prevent Alzheimer’s there are quite a few ways you can adjust your lifestyle to best protect your body and brain.

1 The Mediterranean Diet

Who doesn’t love a nice, big Greek Salad topped with salmon? Or a nice bowl of pasta with olive oil? Scientists have found that adhering to a Mediterranean Diet seems to aid in protecting individuals from Alzheimer’s. Stick to fresh fruits and vegetables, olive oil, nuts and seeds, wild-caught fish, lentils and chickpeas!

2 Exercise is key

Whether you stick to the treadmill or prefer biking and long walks over intense workouts at the gym, whatever you do, keep doing it! The more often you get your heart and body moving, the healthier your brain will stay and be able to bounce back and retain memories over time.

3 New medications and clinical trials

Did you know that a PMS drug has been showing promise in actually reversing Alzheimer’s related memory loss? Mefenamic acid is an anti-inflammatory drug that has shown to reduce brain inflammation, which causes memory loss in Alzheimer’s patients.

4 Certain jobs can protect against Alzheimer’s

If you work in a job that allows you to work and collaborate with other people, you’re in luck. Complex work situations, or jobs that require problem solving and management of other people, can help.

5 It’s true, marijuana can protect your brain

Plant compounds found in the plant seem to block the disease by reducing inflammation on a cellular level and removes toxic amyloid proteins that stick to brain cells in patients.

6 Avoid drugs linked to dementia

Studies have shown that the use of popular sleep aids and allergy relief medications can lead to dementia. So, make sure you’re not overusing Benadryl, Dramamine, Advil PM, and Unison, among others.

7 Improve your gut health

By paying more attention to your gut health, you can improve the health of the microbiome, which is the powerhouse of bacteria in your digestive system that ultimately can dictate your risk of developing chronic diseases. If you have a leaky gut or have IBD or IBS, be sure to incorporate probiotics to help regulate the good and bad bacteria in your gut!