Dementia – FIVE natural ways to prevent Alzheimer’s disease

Dementia affects about 850,000 people in the UK.

Signs of a neurodegenerative condition include problems with mood, judgement, understanding and language.

Alzheimer’s disease makes up the vast majority of dementia cases, the NHS said.

But, some natural treatments could help to lower your risk of developing the condition.

“With comprehensive treatments on the horizon, we can feel hopeful that integrative, personalised approaches could be the key to fighting this disease,” said nutritionist Dr Josh Axe.

“In the meantime, though, it’s also important you take relatively simple steps to lower your risk of dementia now — before the disease has a chance to set in.

“Approximately 35 per cent of dementia cases could actually be delayed, or even prevented, if attention is given to nine modifiable risk factors: less early education, midlife hypertension, obesity, hearing loss, depression in later life, diabetes, physical inactivity, smoking and social isolation.

You could lower your risk of dementia by following these simple, natural tips.

Sleep position

The way you sleep could increase your risk of dementia, said Axe.

Sleeping on your side could improve one of the brain’s waste-clearing processes, he said.

That lowers the risk for neurological conditions, including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

Top up on vitamin D

Vitamin D deficiency increases the risk of dementia by 122 per cent, a study has claimed.

You can increase your vitamin D levels by getting sensible sun exposure, and by eating more vitamin D-rich foods.

Public Health England suggests adults take 10mcg vitamin D supplements during the winter months.

Lead a life of purpose

Living a life full of purpose, including having a sense of direction, could help to prevent dementia.

Find something that makes you happy, or something you’re passionate about, suggests Axe.

“Researchers from Rush University Medical Center uncovered an interesting connection between a person’s sense of purpose and dementia risk.

“Study participants who reported the highest scores on the life purpose test were 2.4 times less likely to develop Alzheimer’s compared to people with the lowest scores.”

Go for a stroll

Walking at least three times a week could help to stave off dementia, Axe said.

“We can conclude that walking improved brain function and thinking skills,” he said.

“While there are many more questions to be answered about the connection between exercise and dementia, taking a walk around the block seems like a viable first step to a healthy brain.”

Always brush your teeth

“Taking care of your teeth and gums also helps protect your brain,” said the nutritionist.

People that brush their teeth less than once a day are up to 65 per cent more likely to develop dementia than those who brush their teeth twice a day.

Gum disease bacteria can instigate an inflammatory process that causes brain damage, studies have claimed.