How do you prevent from having alzheimer's disease?

my grandmother(mother's side), according to my father has alzheimers, and my mother has it too, im worried that me or my sister would have it..

My dad died of dementia and my brother and i worry alot in case we get it. Its frightening. Although its basically in the hands of fate, we do the following to minimise our chances:

Take Omega oils - 3, 6 and 9, fatty acids and a good multi-vitamin
Avoid alchohol (within reason!!)
Eat well
Avoid unecassary head trauma - ie impact sports etc

Try not to worry about it. I dont know if you have a family member who has had it and that is why you are worrying, but if you are still concerned as you age, there are choices you can make in regards to your care in the case that you did get it. Like nil by mouth at a certain point etc. I know it sounds really morbid, but it does relieve some of the worry for me. The fear of dementia/alzheimers I think is the process of dying rather that your actual death - if that makes any sense. Making choices over your care could allow you influence over the time you have it if you did get it. I watched my Dad die slowly over seven years - it was awful. He eventually died a year ago in May.

Also, try to think of how many people have relatives who have had it - in one way or another, about 90% of the population could worry. You are certainly not alone. Thats what I tell my brother and myself if I worry. Just got to relax and hope for the best. Follow that advice above and if you ever did get it then you did everything you could to avoid it so it was just fate. Nothing anyone can do to change that.

Take care x

Cross your fingers and toes and hope like hell.

don't stop exercising your brain, read a lot

eat fish

There is some evidence to suggest that Alzheimer's may in fact be a form of insulin resistance in the brain, otherwise known informally as "Type 3 diabetes".

That said, there is the chance that all the things that can help prevent Type 2 diabetes (healthy diet, weight loss, exercise, small portions, etc.) may help prevent Alzheimer's as well and keep your brain healthy. Type 2 diabetes is a disease of insulin resistance, and it looks like Alzheimer's may be as well.

Type 1 diabetes is a different disease that is not preventable nor related to lifestyle.

Of course, some cases of Alzheimer's may be purely genetic and/or due to other factors such as viruses in the brain or missing enzymes. But it certainly looks like a healthy lifestyle (and keeping your brain active) may prevent at least some cases.

I definitely agree with the above advice to take Omega 3 EFA.

Hi,
Hi have to agree with Isabel. My father was diagnosed 2yrs ago and is still in the early stages, but it is worrying for my brother and me. Dad did everything right..healthy, social life, not a drinker or smoker, loves and still does crosswords,(way better than me). You do what you can diet wise but keep your fingers crossed. do try the fish oil since that is beneficial to your brain, skin and other organs.
Breakthroughs are happening everyday, so keep your hopes up. Also check out the WebMd site. Good info on that.

hrt - hormone replacement therapy

Some research has also shown that HRT can reduce the likelihood of Alzheimer's disease, although it can't reverse memory loss once this disease is established