The great Alzheimer's test
The thought of Alzheimer's is scary for many. We can do a lot to prevent the disease.
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Many people are dreading the idea of aging: Alzheimer's. According to estimates by Alzheimer's research, more than one million people in Germany are affected by the brain disease, especially the elderly over 60. But even those who are young and fit should ask themselves: is my brain just as healthy? Not only sudoku and crossword puzzles, but also the proper nutrition and sufficient exercise contribute to our mental fitness.
For self-diagnosis, the experts of "Public Health England" have developed an Alzheimer's test. Make a note of how many of the following 25 questions you can answer with "yes". At the end of the article you will learn how your very own risk of Alzheimer's is.
The Alzheimer's test: 25 questions
1. I get at least seven hours of sleep a night.
2. I eat at least five servings of fruits and vegetables a day with a high level of antioxidants (for example raspberries, strawberries, oranges, cherries, cabbage, spinach or broccoli).
3. I eat at least a serving of blueberries, raspberries or blackberries every day.
4. I eat fried or grilled fish that is rich in omega-3 fatty acids (for example, salmon, herring, mackerel or tuna) at least three times a week.
5. I take fish oil supplements with lots of omega-3 fatty acids or linseed supplements at least five times a week.
6. I take dietary supplements with folic acid and daily multivitamin tablets.
7. I take a small dose of aspirin every day.
8. I drink red wine or grape juice at least five times a week.
9. I do sports for at least 30 minutes almost every day. Overall, I complete at least three hours a week a strenuous workout.
10. I read books that mentally promote me, do crossword puzzles and sudoku, or participate in activities that encourage active learning, remembering, calculating, analyzing, and problem-solving at least five times a week.
11. I have relatives who are 80 years and older without losing their memory.
12. My cholesterol level is below 5.2 mmol / l ...
13. ... and my LDL level (low-density lipoprotein cholesterol) is below 3.3 mmol / l. (The two values can be determined either with a rapid test from the pharmacy or at your family doctor.)
14. I am not obese. (Take your height squared in meters and multiply that by 24. If your weight is more than nine pounds over that value, you're considered obese.)
15. I look for a Mediterranean diet rich in fruits and vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts and seeds. I prefer to use olive oil instead of other fats and eat little red meat.
16. I use olive oil and spreads without trans fat instead of butter and margarine. (Trans fats are a special type of unsaturated fatty acids.)
17. I've never smoked cigarettes before.
18. I have normal blood pressure.
19. I do not have diabetes.
20. I am not suffering from a metabolic syndrome or insulin resistance syndrome such as increased triglycerides, central obesity or high blood pressure.
21. I have no sleep disorders such as snoring, obstructive sleep apnea or insomnia requiring treatment.
22. I do not suffer from daily, uncontrollable stress.
23. I have people around me who support me and enjoy many activities with friends, colleagues and family members.
24. I have no problem with my short and long term memory.
25. I am ready to do anything to prevent Alzheimer's.
Alzheimer's test: the resolution
How many questions could you answer with "yes"?
0-11: You have a high Alzheimer's risk. Her mental age is about ten years above her actual age. Consult a physician and discuss possible improvements in your lifestyle.
12-14: You have a moderate Alzheimer's risk. Her mental age is around five years above her true age. Think about what points you could improve.
15-19: Your mental age matches your actual age. Thus, you have a low Alzheimer risk. Nevertheless, you can improve your physical and mental fitness with proper nutrition, exercise, mental stimulation and relaxation even further.
20-22: Your mental age is about ten years below your true age. You have a very low risk of Alzheimer's.
23-25: Very good, you keep your brain fit! Her mental age is even below her actual age of up to 15 years. Your risk of developing Alzheimer's is extremely low.
