This subject caught my attention as both my mother and my mother-in-law suffered from this disease and we helplessly watched as two exceptionally intelligent, lovely women were completely devastated. My mother has died but my mother-in-law is being cared for by a very compassionate and loving caregiver. I myself spent 8 months as primary caregiver for my mother-in-law - the worst, most depressing 8 months of my entire life!
The article written by Dr. Dharma Singh Khalsa, M.D., suggests that beyond the basics of diet, supplements and exercise, there are some strategies that can be implemented to prevent brain deterioration and Alzheimer's or other dementia. According to Dr. Dharma,
This concept is called building cognitive reserve (CR) and reveals that, by
taking care of your brain, you can resist the deterioration process that science
predicts may soon arrive.and
...there is the very exciting possibility that directly enhancing CR may help prevent and reverse Alzheimer's. Moreover, the studies on CR also show that CR is not fixed; at any point in your lifetime, it can be increased.
So what are some strategies for enhancing CR? Dr. Dharma refers to the work of Dr. Stern from Columbia University for some preliminary answers.
How can you protect yourself from losing your mind and memory? That's where
Dr. Stern's work comes to the fore. First of all, the Columbia professor's
research reveals that individuals with a higher IQ, education, occupational
attainment, or participation in novel leisure activities have a reduced risk of
developing Alzheimer's
Dr. Dharma goes on to suggest some specific strategies that might be helpful to anyone who would like to increase their CR and reduce their risk of Alzheimer's by up to 70%.
So how can you enhance your cognitive reserve?
My own research on Mind Body Medical treatments of memory loss, Dr. Stern's work at Columbia, and that of other leading experts reveal that staying mentally active in novel ways may diminish your Alzheimer's risk by up to a whopping 70%.
To be considered effective at building CR, an activity must:
1. Engage your attention.
2. Involve more than one of your senses.
3. Break a routine activity in an unexpected way.
Dr. Dharma does not believe that computer mind games are very effective at increasing CR, but other things such as taking a walk and singing a familiar song or forcing yourself to be more aware of your surroundings and the details of your surrounding may be more effective. I can imagine that "breaking a routine activity in an unexpected way" might be accomplished in a variety of ways.
The author of seven best-selling books, Dharma Singh Khalsa, M.D. often referred to as Dr. Dharma, is America's # 1 Brain Longevity Specialist. To discover more about his work, receive his free newsletter, The Healing Minute, and a claim a free e-book called The 4 Secrets of a Better Memory go to http://www.drdharma.com/.
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