How To Prevent Dementia

Like many of us, our family has a history of Alzheimer dementia. It’s not a surprise, as dementia is common, and 60-80% of dementia is due to Alzheimer disease. I personally would like to live not just a long life, but a full life where I recognize my loved ones until the day I die. In medical school (2000-2004), I learned that Alzheimer dementia had a lot to do with genetics (the dreaded apolipoprotein E gene, also known as ApoE), its “natural progression” (what a disease looks like with no treatment), how to diagnose it, and what medications you could offer the family, even though they didn’t work well at all. Basically, I left lecture with the idea that I hope I don’t have one or more copies of the gene, and that our medications for it aren’t great but maybe they will be some day. Fast forward 20 years, and our medications still aren’t great. Actually, I think they are not only a big let down since they are expensive, don’t work well, and have side effects, but they distract health care providers and patients from learning about what they can do to prevent Alzheimer disease and even potentially reverse early mild cognitive impairment.

But there is hope. The field of lifestyle medicine teaches that most chronic illnesses can be prevented by choosing healthy daily habits. Dementia happens to be one such potentially avoidable chronic illness. Research shows that by avoiding saturated and trans fats (found in most animal products and processed/packaged foods), doubling down on healthy plant-based foods rich in vitamin E and anthocyanins (think blueberries and purple and red grapes), and getting regular exercise, we can greatly reduce the risk of ever getting this horrible disease. Would I still recommend these habits even if there was a pill or shot that was 100% effective for Alzheimer dementia? Sure, since these same habits help prevent and treat high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, autoimmune diseases like lupus, and some cancers like breast and colon cancer.

For the great webpage that prompted me to write this post today, check out PCRM’s info on Alzheimer disease: https://www.pcrm.org/health-topics/alzheimers. Specifically, check out Dr. Barnard’s short but moving TEDx Talk on that same page. If you know someone with Alzheimer dementia in the family who you think would benefit from this information, please pass it on.