A family history of Alzheimer's and increasing age are considered risk factors for development of Alzheimer’s disease, but they don’t always lead to memory loss or dementia. Lifestyle and environment seem to be more influential than genes for Alzheimer’s prevention in some individuals . There is growing evidence that regardless of age, a healthy lifestyle promotes a healthy brain.

The latest medical research suggests that the best hope for preventing or slowing down Alzheimer's is to adopt a lifestyle that includes the following:

• Avoiding jarring your brain

• Staying engaged in social activities with friends, family and others

• Exercising your mind to keep your brain in tone

• Eating a healthy diet and get regular exercise

Scientists are not yet sure how or why good health habits work to overcome a predisposition to Alzheimer's; and since we don’t fully understand the causes of this disease, we can’t be sure that everyone can avoid getting it.What we do know is that people can reduce some of their risk factors.