Five Tips For Preventing Alzheimer’s Disease

My father had Alzheimer’s disease. Should I be afraid? Should I be expecting that twenty years from now, my memory will begin failing me big-time? Should I be praying for a cure?

What I need to do is the same thing everyone else needs to do in order to avoid any and every degenerative disease: treat my body the way it was designed to in order for it to stay in peak health. Generally, that includes eating mostly healthy foods, getting exercise several days a week, and avoiding toxins and stress wherever possible.

Specific tips to prevent Alzheimer’s disease

Since every disease manifests in a different way, there are additional things to do in order to specifically combat Alzheimer’s. Here are five major tips that will help you practically eliminate the risk of developing any severe dementia into a very old age – assuming, of course, you are also following the general guidelines above.

1. Get enough minerals.

Several minerals, such as zinc and iron, are essential for proper brain function. As I discovered in my raw vegan days, a deficiency in these vital minerals can lead to frightening mental deficiency symptoms.

2. Eat healthy fats.

Saturated fats, especially, are essential for the neurotransmitters in your brain to communicate correctly. Ditto for the omega-3 fatty acids. I have heard a story where a woman virtually eradicated her husband’s Alzheimer’s symptoms simply by feeding him virgin coconut oil over an extended period of time.

3. Eliminate grains from your diet.

Unless you are of Asian descent, your body probably is not well-adapted to metabolizing grains. This leads to inflammation in the gut, overweight, and an ever-progressing misfiring of neurotransmitters.

4. Be a life-long learner.

Several studies have concluded that elderly people who engage in activities that stimulate the brain, such as a passionate hobby, reading or puzzle-solving, are much less likely to develop dementia.

5. Use essential oils regularly.

Essential oils can pass through the blood-brain barrier, and regular use of certain types – like frankincense, lavender and rosemary – not only increase the oxygen levels in the brain cells, but also balance out the general brain chemistry. (Not all oils are created equal; click here to find out why.)

If Alzheimer’s disease is in your family, don’t fear it. Instead, take the right steps to improving your overall health.