Preventing Alzheimer's Disease

Despite the number of lives Alzheimer’s disease has affected, it is not curable. An estimated five million Americans are affected by this disease (Alzheimer’s Disease Fact Sheet); treatment trials are being conducted in addition to extensive research. As a result, researchers are beginning to find ways to prevent this disease. An innumerable amount of people across the United States are affected by Alzheimer's disease, although it can be prevented.
Alzheimer’s disease is a type of dementia that causes problems in the brain including memory, thinking and behavior. This disease worsens over time and without a healthy lifestyle can progress quickly. Prevention studies and clinical trials are being continuously performed to try to treat and prevent this ongoing disease. Alzheimer’s disease affects many people including their families and is shown to be the sixth …show more content…
Other studies have indicated that physical activity may enhance cognitive function and delay the onset of this disease. Regular exercise slows the brain’s aging process, increases the size of the brain portions that control thinking and memory, and strengthens the connections between brain cells. Intense physical activity has shown to give better performance in numerous cognitive domains such as speed, memory and mental flexibility. The recommended amount of time exercising is thirty minutes of moderate to vigorous aerobic activity for three to four days per week. Researchers observed high levels of physical activity in patients with alzheimer’s disease. Those who exercised were less likely to show signs of early onset of this disease rather than those reported with no physical activity. “The most convincing evidence is that physical exercise helps prevent the development of Alzheimer’s or slows the progression of those who have