January is Alzheimer’s Awareness month, which focuses on  the most common type of dementia—and one that an estimated 50 million Americans live with every day. While there is no known cure once Alzheimer’s has been diagnosed, research shows that we can take steps to reduce our risk of developing it.

The good news is that we know what causes Alzheimer’s. Most experts agree that it’s likely the result of complex interactions due to several factors, including age, genetics, environment, lifestyle, and coexisting medical conditions. Some of these risk factors cannot be helped or changed—such as age or genes. But others, such as high blood pressure and lack of exercise, contribute to the disease and can be addressed early.

The brain-heart connection

Though research is ongoing and continues to evolve, there is strong evidence that people can reduce their risk of developing Alzheimer’s by making certain lifestyle changes, including engaging in regular activity and maintaining good heart health. Some studies show that as many as 80 percent of individuals who have died of Alzheimer’s also had cardiovascular disease, which is directly related to lifestyle choices.

Here are a few known strategies for lowering the risk of Alzheimer’s and jump-starting your heart and brain health:

• Get regular physical exercise. Exercise increases blood and oxygen flow to the brain,  directly benefiting brain cells. A medically approved exercise program is a great part of any wellness plan.
• Eat a heart-healthy diet. Evidence shows that heart-healthy eating, which includes limiting sugar and saturated fats and focusing on eating fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, will help protect the brain.
• Maintain social connections and intellectual activity. Experts are not sure why these have been proven to lower the risk of cognitive decline, but it may be that social and mental stimulation strengthen nerve cell connections in the brain. So go explore new places in your area, work a crossword puzzle, read a book, or join a community discussion group to exercise your brain in different ways.
• Protect your head. There is a strong link between head trauma and the future risk of developing cognitive issues, especially when an injury involves loss of consciousness. You can reduce your risk of Alzheimer’s by wearing a seat belt, using a helmet when playing sports, and taking precautions to avoid falls (e.g., securing rugs to the floor and using handrails when going down stairs).  

To find out more about how you can prevent Alzheimer’s, visit www.alz.org.

To learn more about the benefits that Transocean offers to boost your health and mental well-being, visit My Journey.