Keeping Your Mind Active May Reduce Your Risk of Alzheimer`s Disease, Confirms Recent Study
Released on: October 28, 2008, 12:14 am
Press Release Author: Kirti K. Khalsa
Industry: Healthcare
Press Release Summary: A recent study demonstrates that staying active through mental and social activity reduces the chances of developing Alzheimer's disease. This has been a focus of the non-profit Alzheimer's Research & Prevention Foundation since 1993.
Press Release Body: Tucson, AZ ( IllinoisPressRelease ) October 28, 2008 -A recent study published in the September 2008 issue of Alzheimer's & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association shows that men who stay active through mental and social activities have a reduced chance of developing Alzheimer's disease.
The Alzheimer's Research and Prevention Foundation (http://www.alzheimersprevention.org) is thrilled by these findings. Dharma Singh Khalsa, M.D., Medical Director of the ARPF says, "Since 1993, we have encouraged physical, mental, and social activities as a way to lower the risk of developing or worsening Alzheimer's disease."
In this latest study, researchers at Johns Hopkins' Bloomberg School of Public Health and Duke University followed 147 pairs of male twins for 28 years, and tracked their development of dementia.
They found that participants who increased their midlife cognitive functioning had a lower chance of developing dementia, including Alzheimer's disease.
The researchers divided cognitive activities into three categories, including:
--Category One: receptive activities such as watching television, listening to the radio and music, going to the movies, the theatre and art museums.
--Category Two: novel activities like reading, studying for courses, and additional work such as overtime shifts or other forms of employment.
--Category Three: intermediate novel activities including visiting friends and family, going to parties, playing card games, and home-based hobbies.
Interestingly, the researchers noted that the twins who fared best were most involved with intermediate exercises or exercises that combine mental and social functions. Their findings simply add to a growing body of medical research linking increased social and mental activities with lower rates of Alzheimer's disease.
The non-profit Alzheimer's Research and Prevention Foundation suggests mental and physical exercise as part of their 4 Pillar approach to keeping a healthy, active brain. Those 4 Pillars are as follows:
Dr. Khalsa adds: "Memory loss doesn't have to happen as we get older. In fact, forgetfulness is not a normal part of aging. By following the 4 Pillars, everyone can take strides to retain clear mental functioning and cognitive abilities well into old age."
To discover more about prevention, treatment and research on Alzheimer's disease, visit the Alzheimer's Research and Prevention Foundation online at http://www.alzheimersprevention.org/.
The Alzheimer's Research and Prevention Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to making information available from conventional, holistic, and complementary medicine, to empower people to build healthy brains - information which will ultimately lead to the eradication of Alzheimer's disease. Free additional help can be found at http://www.alzheimersprevention.org/
Contact information Alzheimer's Research & Prevention Foundation 6300 E. El Dorado Plaza, Suite 400 Tucson, AZ 85715
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Web Site: http://www.alzheimersprevention.org
Contact Details: Alzheimer's Research & Prevention Foundation 6300 E. El Dorado Plaza, Suite 400 Tucson, AZ 85715