What do you do for yourself to prevent dementia?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's genetic, there's nothing you can do.

Only a portion is genetic. Lifestyle and diet can undo so much that is "genetic" in your life, if you are committed to it.
For ex: High BP runs in spouses family (all siblings had it by mid 20s). One of our kids has high BP in mid 20s. But instead of just popping a pill, they got serious about diet and exercise (and a few supplements known for helping with BP) and within 2 months were back to "normal BP". So they are healthier because of the changes and are not relying on medications for the next 60+ years. If they need meds, they will use them, but they realized you can adjust your diet and lifestyle and solve a lot of issues.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m doing all the things mentioned already.

I’m also having as much fun as possible b/c I’ve got 27 yrs before I’m the age my mother got Alzheimers. She did everything right but the gene is strong (her mother and sister died of Alz and her other sister has it now).

I’m glad you are doing this. My mother was advised to do some things to enjoy her money but she rarely did. Now, a large chunk goes to the people who own the assisted living…

OP

Well I'd prefer to be in a nice assisted living place should I need it/need memory care. So I'd spend some and enjoy life now, but also plan for an extended stay in memory care for myself. I have a relative who spent 6+ years in memory care and was just then moving to the more advanced part. They still did puzzles and were active. Died from getting the flu and not recovering (over 90). But they were aware of where they were and their life for those 6 years, so I'm glad they were in a good facility

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's genetic, there's nothing you can do.

No actually research has established that lifestyle factors are a greater than 50% influence on cancers AND dementia.

Don’t forget environmental factors—and their interaction with lifestyle/genetics.

The idea that it’s all genetics is a combination of human genome research sucking up all the funding + good old eugenics + rapacity of corporations that don’t want to stop using known carcinogens.

Genetics are a factor but for many/most diseases not the primary one.

[Anonymous]

I teach zumba, barre, pilates, and stretch. Because I'm the instructor, I'm constantly memorizing, choreographing, creating new patterns, etc. And I can never be lazy and skip class bc I'm the instructor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The human brain is made of cholesterol. I believe a diet rich in red meat and good fats is key. And never take a statin drug.

Ouch this is so painfully ignorant.

I suppose it's ignorant if your diet consists of take-out, fried foods, mayonnaise made with canola and soybean oil, etc. A paleo diet is best for health.

Sure, if you want the health of a paleolithic person - dead in your 40s, that is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NYT word games
Try to make sure I have no inflammation
Keep my weight manageable
Sleep well
Get some good endorphins, serotonin, oxytocin, dopamine going by playing and snuggling with the dog
Regular and enjoyable sex
Learning new things

I am reading lot of “no inflammation” responses. What does that mean, exactly? Maybe I am ignorant, but it seems like such a money-grab marketing fad to get people to buy anti-inflammatory supplements, go on anti-inflammatory diets, etc. It all sounds great in theory, but to me it’s no different than someone claiming they are in “consulting.” Charging a bunch of money to do stuff that sounds good in theory but makes no difference whatsoever

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NYT word games
Try to make sure I have no inflammation
Keep my weight manageable
Sleep well
Get some good endorphins, serotonin, oxytocin, dopamine going by playing and snuggling with the dog
Regular and enjoyable sex
Learning new things

I am reading lot of “no inflammation” responses. What does that mean, exactly? Maybe I am ignorant, but it seems like such a money-grab marketing fad to get people to buy anti-inflammatory supplements, go on anti-inflammatory diets, etc. It all sounds great in theory, but to me it’s no different than someone claiming they are in “consulting.” Charging a bunch of money to do stuff that sounds good in theory but makes no difference whatsoever

Here’s an article about inflammation and aging: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11872841/
Here’s an article assessing the impact of diet on inflammation and non-communicable disease: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11576095/

Inflammation as a cause of health problems is well-established science. Anything can become a fad or a be exploited for profit, but the fact that that happens doesn’t mean the underlying issue isn’t real.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m doing all the things mentioned already.

I’m also having as much fun as possible b/c I’ve got 27 yrs before I’m the age my mother got Alzheimers. She did everything right but the gene is strong (her mother and sister died of Alz and her other sister has it now).

Interesting that you only mention women. Did the gene affect any men in your family?

I’m a believer that HRT helps. I realize the research isn’t conclusively there yet, but I think it will become more clear that HRT helps as more studies are done in the future.

None of the men were affected that we know of…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NYT word games
Try to make sure I have no inflammation
Keep my weight manageable
Sleep well
Get some good endorphins, serotonin, oxytocin, dopamine going by playing and snuggling with the dog
Regular and enjoyable sex
Learning new things

I am reading lot of “no inflammation” responses. What does that mean, exactly? Maybe I am ignorant, but it seems like such a money-grab marketing fad to get people to buy anti-inflammatory supplements, go on anti-inflammatory diets, etc. It all sounds great in theory, but to me it’s no different than someone claiming they are in “consulting.” Charging a bunch of money to do stuff that sounds good in theory but makes no difference whatsoever

I’m in consulting and make a huge difference. In fact, we founded our firm to be purpose-driven. Impact, not income, is how we measure our value and we’re not alone. There’s some early data showing that GLP-1s stave off dementia because they lower inflammation. So…..maybe get a clue…

[Anonymous]

My sister, BIL and I made a suicide pact this holiday. Dark, I know, but spending time with older family members with Alzheimers underscored for all of us that we don’t want to live with this disease.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My sister, BIL and I made a suicide pact this holiday. Dark, I know, but spending time with older family members with Alzheimers underscored for all of us that we don’t want to live with this disease.

I’ve already made my own plans for this and have told my SO. It’ll be a trip to Switzerland once the symptoms start to show. I’m in my mid-forties, so hopefully have a ways to go yet, but it runs in the family so I know it’s coming…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Alzheimers runs in my husband's family. Father and aunt both developed it in their 80s. Hope they develop better treatments because the drugs don't do much. On my side, dementia was caused by strokes so I am taking a statin and keeping up with my carotid and heart scans.

I thought 80 was considered a good run for age-related mental faculties to slip? Is the new standard to be sharp as a tack until the day we drop dead 90+ I did not know

Are you okay? You sound angry.

My grandmother died at 93 sharp as a tack! I miss her. What she did right: mostly vegetarian, some fish; intense daily prayer ; felt urgent purpose in her life helping others.. I think the purpose driven life is helpful, keep those neurons firing. She was pretty unhealthy through her 60s

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Alzheimers runs in my husband's family. Father and aunt both developed it in their 80s. Hope they develop better treatments because the drugs don't do much. On my side, dementia was caused by strokes so I am taking a statin and keeping up with my carotid and heart scans.

I thought 80 was considered a good run for age-related mental faculties to slip? Is the new standard to be sharp as a tack until the day we drop dead 90+ I did not know

There is a difference between age-related memory loss and dementia, pp.

[Anonymous]

My mother and MIL both suffered TBIs (traumatic brain injuries) after falling in their 80s. The doctors thought it was caused by low blood pressure in MIL and osteoporosis-related joint failure in my mother. Fortunately, I seem to have inherited my strong bone density from my father but keep up with annual exams, bloodwork and scans to avoid these issues. Father died at 93 still doing his own taxes and keeping up with current events.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My sister, BIL and I made a suicide pact this holiday. Dark, I know, but spending time with older family members with Alzheimers underscored for all of us that we don’t want to live with this disease.

Your kids, if you have any, will have something to say about that when the time comes.