Eat Fish: Nothing preserves brain power like the omega-3 fat in fish. Eating fish just once a week cuts odds of Alzheimer's an amazing 60%, according to research at Chicago's Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center. Fish oil also may help fight toxic plaque and stimulate communication between brain cells.
Get Fruits and Vegetables: Drinking any fruit or vegetable juice at least three times a week may cut your odds of Alzheimer's 76%, compared with drinking it less than once a week, says Vanderbilt University research. In Tufts University research, a daily serving of strawberries, blueberries or spinach helped to prevent, even reverse, brain aging in animals.
Drink Green Tea: In one large study, drinking at least 2 cups of green tea a day cut the risk of cognitive impairment in older people by 54%. Drinking black or oolong tea or coffee had little impact. Researchers credit EGCG, a potent antioxidant.
Eat Curry: A new Singapore study says even a very small dose is a brain booster. The secret: curcumin, an antioxidant shown to improve memory in animals and reduce a brain toxin that's linked to Alzheimer's.
Trim Animal Fat and Calories: People who ate more saturated animal fat in midlife doubled their Alzheimer's risk, especially those genetically vulnerable, says a new Swedish study. Many studies suggest that restricting calories and avoiding obesity cuts risk of dementia and Alzheimer's.
Copyright 2006 Jean Carper. Printed first in USA Weekend. All rights reserved.
Contact Jean Carper at stopagingnow.com. Scientific sources are at usaweekend.com.
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