Genetics play but a small role

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(New exercise guidelines FOR health) 6102
(Brain training: 60 Days TO a better brain) 9373
4. Minimize your exposure. Avoid harmful chemicals, toxins AND pollutants. 2217
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(The anti-inflammatory diet: Foods that heal) 3966
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Physical inactivity -- Being sedentary increases THE risk OF brain diseases AND other chronic illnesses, AND it follows that being physically active is linked TO substantial reductions IN THE risk OF dementia AND Alzheimer¡¯s. One study found that subjects who were physically active at least twice a week IN midlife had more than a 50 percent reduction IN THE risk OF dementia AND Alzheimer¡¯s diseases later IN life. 335
Stress -- Stress can chronically up-regulate inflammation AND oxidation IN THE body, which can initiate AND promote neurodegeneration. Additionally, inflammation AND oxidative stress are also associated with diabetes, cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, lipid disorders, obesity, asthma AND cancer. 9332
(20 Ways TO stay connected) 4994
3. Train your brain. Do mentally AND intellectually stimulating activities every day. 5355
Air pollution -- Recent studies show that air pollution is harmful TO THE brain, IN addition TO THE lungs, heart, nose AND blood vessels. This evidence is drawn from studies of brains OF people living IN highly polluted cities compared with those living IN clean air cities. These studies found evidence starting at young ages OF inflammation AND cellular damage associated with both early Alzheimer¡¯s AND Parkinson¡¯s diseases. 1616
¡°As we explored origins AND patterns OF chronic degenerative diseases, we discovered a web OF conditions IN THE environment -- including nutritional, chemical, physical AND social factors -- that HAVE a direct influence on THE risk OF Alzheimer¡¯s, Parkinson¡¯s AND related chronic diseases,¡± says report co-author Jill Stein, MD, Greater Boston Physicians FOR Social Responsibility. ¡°It is clear from these findings that our activities IN THE areas OF food AND agriculture, energy, chemical use AND social organization are key drivers IN THE abnormal loss of neurological function IN older people throughout THE modern world.¡± 2832
Dietary protective factors -- Diet AND nutrition also can decrease THE risk OF neurodegenerative diseases. FOR example, numerous studies IN people show that a high intake OF omega-3 fatty acids is associated with significantly lower risk FOR Alzheimer¡¯s. IN Alzheimer¡¯s-prone laboratory animals, a high omega-3 diet started late IN life reduced markers of Alzheimer¡¯s disease IN THE brain by more than 70 percent. THE Mediterranean diet, which includes fresh fruit AND vegetables, legumes, whole grains, fish, nuts AND olive oil, is linked to substantially reduced risks OF both Alzheimer¡¯s disease AND Parkinson¡¯s disease, as well as dramatically lower rates OF diabetes, vascular disease, recurrent heart attacks AND metabolic syndrome. 6529
Following a healthy lifestyle AND reducing your exposure TO environmental toxins -- regardless OF your age -- can reduce your risk OF developing Alzheimer¡¯s, Parkinson¡¯s AND other chronic diseases significantly. This is especially important because THE population older than 65, which is highly vulnerable TO chronic disease, is expected TO nearly double IN THE U.S. by 2030 -- from about 38 million TO more than 71 million. With that increase will come a dramatic escalation OF chronic diseases. Authors OF THE report recommend THE following tips FOR aging healthfully (click THE links FOR more information on each recommendation): 8091