Prevention

At this time, there is no known way to prevent Alzheimer's disease.

Adults who are physically active may be less likely to get Alzheimer's disease or dementia than adults who are not physically active.³ Moderate activity is safe for most people, but it's always a good idea to talk to your doctor before starting an exercise program.

Older adults who stay mentally active may be at lower risk for developing Alzheimer's disease.⁴ Regularly reading newspapers, books, and magazines, playing cards and other games, working crossword puzzles, going to museums, and doing other social activities, and even actively watching television or listening to the radio may help you avoid symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. Although this "use it or lose it" approach has not been proved, no harm can come from regularly putting your brain to work.

People who eat more fruits and vegetables, high-fiber foods, fish, and omega-3 rich oils (sometimes known as the Mediterranean diet) and who eat less red meat and dairy may have some protection against dementia.^{5, 6}

As we learn more about the causes of Alzheimer's disease, we also may learn more about how to prevent the disease. Drugs now being developed to prevent damage the nerve cells in the brain may someday be used in people who are at risk for Alzheimer's.