One of the biggest headlines that emerged from the 2017 Alzheimer’s Association International Conference® (AAIC) suggested that one in three cases of dementia is preventable.
This week, The Dr. Oz Show invited a panel of experts to provide insight on the latest prevention breakthroughs during its annual Alzheimer’s Summit. The featured “Alzheimer’s Offense Team” included:
- Rudy Tanzi, Neurology Professor at Harvard University, Head of the Alzheimer’s Genome Project
- Wendy Suzuki, Neuroscientist, Director of The Suzuki Lab at NYU
- Max Lugavere, Documentarian and Brain Health Researcher
- Richard Isaacson, Director of the Alzheimer’s Prevention Clinic at Weill Cornell Medical Center
Among the breakthroughs discussed during the episode, the panel touched on three lifestyle choices that individuals can act on immediately to prevent their risk of Alzheimer’s later in life.
- Break a Sweat – According to Dr. Suzuki, exercise is “the most transformative lifestyle change because it’s the only one that produces new brain cells.” If fitness isn’t already part of your daily routine, ward off future dementia risks by scheduling time to take a walk with friends or participate in an exercise class. The Kenwood offers many opportunities to get (or stay) active all year, with ongoing Tai Chi, strength training, aquatics, Zumba and stretching classes.
- Get Friendly with Floss – New research links bacteria and viruses, like periodontal bacteria found in the mouth, to brain health. Dr. Tanzi recommends regularly brushing and flossing your teeth to prevent infections that could reach the brain through the sinus cavity.
- Ditch Soda – Boston University researchers found that individuals who tended to drink more soda were also more likely to experience shrinkage of their brain, including volume loss in the hippocampus, the brain’s memory center. In fact, people who drank more than two sodas per day had brains that appeared to show accelerated aging by 2 years. Replace soda with water or tea to eliminate the risk entirely.
To connect with a Memory Care expert or to learn more about the signature programs at The Kenwood by Senior Star, contact us today.
