ALZHEIMER’S & BRAIN AWARENESS MONTH
PREVENT ALZHEIMER’S AND SLOW THE LOSS OF BRAIN FUNCTION THAT CAN HAPPEN WITH AGE by Joshua J. Freitas
June is a special month in that we celebrate both Alzheimer’s disease and Brain Awareness Month as well as National Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Month. While seemingly unrelated, these two-month-long celebrations have an important cause in common: Neurological brain health. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, over six million Americans are currently living with Alzheimer’s disease. By 2050, the total will more than double to nearly 13 million. Many are shocked to learn that one in three older adults dies with Alzheimer’s disease or another type of dementia, killing more people than breast and prostate cancer combined, making it more critical than ever to focus on prevention. While risk factors for dementia, such as age and genetic influence, cannot be changed, there are other -lifestyle factors that can reduce the risk. Still wondering about the relationship between dementia and nutrition? Mounting research suggests that food 8
Aging Times Magazine | June 2021
influences the rate of cognitive aging and your risk of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia also referred to as ADRD. One diet in particular, the MIND diet, is a hybrid of the MIND (Mediterranean–DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay) and the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet, and is often recommended by physicians, clinical dietitians, and dementia experts from around the world. Recently, research has been focusing on the link between physical exercise, mental exercise, and diet as it relates to a person’s risk for ADRD. While more research is needed, studies suggest specific diets may continued on page 10
