Study examines integrative approach to preventing Alzheimer’s disease

In Alzheimer’s disease prevention, there is value in an integrated approach using daily exercise, nutraceuticals, oriental practices such as Qigong and meditation, and social life, according to new research published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease.

For the review article, researchers analyzed the involvement of various lifestyle factors and how to control environmental risk factors for a better quality of life. The factors examined include elements of nutrition, daily exercise, avoidance of toxic substances and drugs, an active social life, meditation, and control of stress.

Alzheimer's disease is a multifactorial brain disorder characterized by progressive cognitive impairment, apathy, and mood disorders. The main risk of Alzheimer's disease is aging.

Prevention as well as innovative screening programs for early detection of the disease using reliable biomarkers are becoming critical to control the disease, the researchers said.

Additionally, the failure of traditional pharmacological treatments and search for new drugs has stimulated the emergence of nutraceutical compounds in the context of a “multitarget” therapy, as well as mindfulness approaches shown to be effective in the aging and applied to the control of Alzheimer's disease. An integrated approach involving preventive factors combined with novel pharmacological approaches could pave the way for the future control of the disease, they said.