A few of you have asked about what can be done to prevent Alzheimer's or keep the symptoms from worsening. This is an excellent question and one that remains at the top of the research agenda.

The latest medical research suggests that one strategy for preventing or slowing down Alzheimer's may be to adopt a lifestyle that includes the following:

• Staying engaged in social activities with friends, family and others
• Engaging in intellectually stimulating activities
• Eating a 'heart' healthy diet (a heart healthy diet is not only good for the heart but good for the brain)
• Participating in regular physical activity

One study just published in JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association) looked at 170 people who all had memory complaints including mild cognitive impairment, but did not meet the criteria for a dementia like Alzheimer's disease.

Half of these people were asked to complete a 24-week home based physical activity program consisting of 50 minutes of moderate exercise, three times a week. The other half received education on a variety of health related topics (not including physical activity) and 'usual' care with no specific physical activity intervention program.

After an 18-month follow up period, the people who'd been doing the home-based physical activity program did slightly better in memory tests than people who hadn't. While the improvements were small, the fact that they were engaging in a relativity modest amount of exercise and still received a small improvement is particularly noteworthy.

More research is needed to know to what degree adding physical activity or any of the lifestyle strategies listed above can have on improving memory or slowing the progression of cognitive decline. And of course, we all know of individuals who have Alzheimer's disease in spite of living a healthy lifestyle. Nevertheless, there is no doubt that these lifestyle strategies have numerous other benefits including lower risk for heart disease, diabetes, reducing stress, improving sleep, and alleviating depression.

Time for a walk?

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/alzheimers-blog/MY00267