8 More Ways To Help Prevent Alzheimers

Drink wine regularly, but in moderation- it can halve your risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD).  The data are less clear for beer, however (Neurology, 2002; 59: 1313-9).

Coffee reduces AD risk by a third (Am j Epidemic, 2002; 156: 445-53).

Get your amalgam fillings removed. See The WDDTY Dental Handbook for the correct procedure for having this done.

Take a good selenium supplement. A nine-year study of over 1000 old people showed that those with the lowest selenium levels had the greatest "Cognitive decline" (Epidemiology, 2007; 18: 52-8).

Take an omega-3 supplement or eat fatty fish three times a week—both contain the essential fatty acid DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). A nine-year survey found that older people with relatively high DHA levels almost halve their risk Of Alzheimer's (Arch Neural, 2006; 63: 1545-50).

Supplement with folic acid, or choose foods naturally high in folic acid, such as green, leafy vegetables. High folic-acid levels destroy harmful homocysteine, with clinical trials showing that high folate levels can halve the risk Of Alzheimer's (Arch Neurol, 2007; 64: 86-92).

Exercise regularly. Exercising three times a week reduces the risk of Alzheimer's disease by about 30 percent, even if you're over 65 (Ann intern Med, 2006; 144: 73-81).

If you can't or don't feel like exercising, drink three glasses of fruit or vegetable juice a week. It can reduce your risk of Alzheimers threefold (Am J Med, 2006; 119: 751-9).

Have your water supply checked for aluminum (it's a free service from your water provider). If it contains more than 0.1 mg/L of aluminum - and one study even suggests that 3.5 mcg/L can be a problem - and has a pH of less than 7, drink mineral water containing high levels of silica, which will neutralize the effects of the metal (Epidemiology, 1996; 7: 281-5).