Article by Susan Nickerson

It’s a startling fact that more than 5 million people in the U.S. suffer from memory loss. And it’s estimated that about 20% of the 78 million members of the now-graying baby boomer generation could develop heart-breaking and irreversible Alzheimer’s disease.

The good news is that the prevention of memory loss and Alzheimer’s disease are within your grasp. Through lifestyle changes and anti-aging techniques, it’s possible to actually increase your mental abilities — and maintain them well into your seventh and eight decades.

Dharma Singh Khalsa, M.D., President and Medical Director of the non-profit Alzheimer’s Research and Prevention Foundation, has studied this dreaded disease for two decades. Dr. Dharma believes the best defense against Alzheimer’s disease is to prevent it in the first place.

He has developed a 4-pronged approach to the prevention of deterioration of memory function. Former Surgeon General Richard Carmona has endorsed his work, and The Alzheimer’s Association, the Mayo Clinic and UCLA have developed similar programs.

Dr. Dharma’s integrative, holistic medical program for the delay and prevention of memory loss and Alzheimer’s disease involves diet and nutritional supplements, physical and mental exercise, stress and relaxation, and the use of prescribed pharmaceuticals.

Diet and Supplements

Diet directly affects the health of your body, but also your brain. A healthy diet is one that should include fresh fruits and vegetables, be low in trans-fats and saturated fats, high in protein gained mostly from vegetables instead of animal protein. It should have the right amounts of the “good” fats, like omega-3 fatty acids, and complex carbohydrates.

In addition, a high-potency multi-vitamin should be taken daily. And supplements of antioxidants and memory-enhancing vitamins and nutrients, like vitamins C and E, coenzyme Q10, acetyl-l-carnitine, ginkgo biloba and phosphatidyl serine, may be beneficial as well.

Avoid the use of tobacco and the excessive consumption of alcohol. Also, get plenty of rest and drink plenty of water. Dehydration can cause confusion and memory problems, as does being tired.

Physical and Mental Exercise

Exercise plays an important part in any health-promoting routine. Make it a goal to include physical activity in your schedule at least three or four times a week for one hour. Walk, ride a bicycle, jog, or join an exercise class.

In addition to your cardiovascular exercise, it’s important to also do mental exercises, or what Dr. Dharma calls “brain aerobics.” Spending at least twenty minutes three times a week doing mental exercise will stimulate your brain, helping to keep it functioning as it should through the years, and also sharpen your cognitive skills. You can exercise your brain in many ways, including playing stimulating board games, doing crossword puzzles, playing Scrabble, reading a book, learning a new song, or playing a musical instrument.

Of course, the best exercise of all combines both a physical activity with a mental one. Try singing your favorite song or listening to a language tape as you walk or jog. Read a book while riding your exercise bicycle.

Stress and Relaxation

Stress management is an important part of preventing memory loss. Chronic stress has been shown to have an adverse effect on brain health and memory performance. It can contribute to depression and anxiety disorders, which also interfere with normal memory function.

You can reduce stress in your life by preparing a schedule ahead of time, balancing work and leisure activities, set realistic expectations and goals. Meditation, yoga, and deep breathing exercises are all excellent ways of reducing stress and providing relaxation.

Prescribed Pharmaceuticals

Unfortunately, there are only a few pharmaceutical drugs currently being prescribed to treat patients with Alzheimer’s disease, and those only for mild to moderate symptoms

Aricept (donepezil), Rasadyne (galantamine), Exelon (rivastigmine) and Namenda (memantine) have been found to slightly delay the deterioration of memory in patients with Alzheimer’s as well as improve some of the symptoms.

It’s important to note here that patients taking these drugs may experience serious side effects, such as nausea, diarrhea and dizziness. Your doctor should be notified immediately if you notice these or any other reactions to these drugs.

Hormone replacement therapy and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may also be added to your pharmaceutical therapy program. A frank discussion with your physician will help you decide the right course of drug therapy for you.

Everyone forgets things. And that may increase as we age, causing us to experience “senior moments.” We notice a decrease in our ability to concentrate, and it may take longer to recall someone’s name. The good news is that age-related memory loss can be improved — and even prevented. Following these guidelines — diet, physical and mental exercise, stress management and pharmaceuticals — will help you keep your mind and memory healthy and youthful as you age. The strategies and techniques outlined here will provide you with an integrated and holistic program for the prevention of memory loss, and also help prevent Alzheimer’s disease as well.

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