Keep Brains Healthy With Healthful Lifestyles

While new Alzheimer’s therapies are on the horizon, they won’t be for everyone who might be at risk of developing dementia.

But a growing body of research indicates that everyone can help reduce their risk of Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia with healthy lifestyle habits, said Lindy Fields, a clinical neuropsychologist with Methodist Physicians Clinic.

“Ideally, the earlier we can start these healthy habits, the better,” she said. But such practices can help reduce the risk even no matter when people start, even if it’s later in life.

She often sees older patients in clinic who are just being introduced to some of the strategies — which fall under the general categories of physical health, cognitive activity and social engagement — and wish they’d known about them earlier.

“And I think they’re also surprised how approachable these things can be,” she said.

Omaha World-Herald: Keep Brains Healthy With Healthful Lifestyles