An estimated 5.8 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease — a devastating, progressive brain condition with no cure. Research has linked Alzheimer’s to genetic factors, diet and lifestyle factors, and a recent study has also linked the disease to something else — migraines.
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To conduct the study, researchers examined the cognitive abilities of 679 adults aged 65 years and older. They found an association between migraine history throughout the participants’ lives and an increase in dementia. Based on the results, researchers determined that migraines were a significant risk factor for all-cause dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease.
While researchers haven’t pinpointed exactly why the link exists, past research has shown that migraines may change brain structure over time. With each new study, scientists may get closer to understanding Alzheimer’s disease, its causes and eventually, possibly, a cure.
If you suffer from migraines, there are natural ways to help prevent and stop an attack, without using over-the-counter or prescription drugs. For more information on migraine triggers, as well as diet and lifestyle factors that can help, click here.
It’s often said that Alzheimer’s disease can’t be prevented, but research suggests there are certain factors you can control, to help reduce your risk. For instance, seniors with severe vitamin D deficiency may raise their risk for dementia by 125%, and vitamin D deficiency is associated with a substantially increased risk of all-cause dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Sufficient vitamin D (50 to 70 nanograms/milliliter) is imperative for overall health and, likely, for brain health as well.
Exercise and a healthy diet can also help reduce your risk of the disease and help with treatment. Other lifestyle strategies to help prevent Alzheimer’s include:
• Replacing processed foods with real foods
• Avoiding sugar and refined fructose
• Optimizing omega-6-to-3 ratio
• Avoiding gluten and casein
• Opting for organic, grass fed meat
• Optimizing your gut flora
• Reducing your overall calorie consumption and/or intermittent fasting
• Improving your magnesium levels
• Getting plenty of folate
• Avoiding and eliminating aluminum and mercury from your body
• Avoiding anticholinergics and statin drugs
• Challenging your mind daily