How to help prevent Alzheimer’s

Featured in

    Studies have shown that reading and certain mental exercises can help fight against ALZ. Here's how text-to-speech can play a role.

    An estimated 6 million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease, age 65 or older. It is the most common form of dementia, but it is not a normal part of the aging process. According to experts, the number of people who live with Alzheimer’s doubles every five years for people who are over 65 years old. 

    By 2050, the number of Americans with Alzheimer’s is expected to reach 13 million people.

    Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia kill more adults each year than prostate cancer and breast cancer combined. In fact, 1 in 3 seniors die from Alzheimer’s or another dementia. Nearly two-thirds of adults in the U.S. who have Alzheimer’s are women.

    What is Alzheimer’s?

    Alzheimer’s is a type of dementia, the most common type, accounting for as much as 80% of dementia cases. It impairs cognitive abilities and causes memory loss. It is a progressive disease with symptoms gradually worsening over several years.

    The early stages of the disease begin with mild memory loss, but as it progresses, the individual loses the ability to engage in conversation, carry out simple life tasks, and respond to their environment. People who have late-stage Alzheimer’s may not even be able to take care of themselves.

    Can early detection of Alzheimer’s help?

    Identifying Alzheimer’s early can help to prevent or halt the disease’s progress. It begins with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) which can be an early marker. Unfortunately, the majority of Americans are not familiar with MCI (fewer than 1 in 5) and may miss some important signs of this possible early stage of Alzheimer’s. Approximately a third of people who are diagnosed with MCI due to Alzheimer’s will develop dementia within five years of that diagnosis.

    How do you prevent Alzheimer’s?

    There are several ways that you can prevent Alzheimer’s. For instance, cardiovascular disease has been linked to Alzheimer’s as well as vascular dementia. Because heart disease has been associated with an increased risk of Alzheimer’s, taking steps to better heart health.

    Eating a healthy diet of fresh, whole foods as well as getting regular exercise is a good start. Other healthy steps to take for better health and to help prevent Alzheimer’s include:

    • Stop smoking
    • Reduce or eliminate alcohol intake
    • Monitor your blood pressure
    • See your doctor regularly

    You may also reduce your risk of Alzheimer’s by staying socially and mentally active. Some effective activities you should practice regularly:

    • Reading
    • Playing a musical instrument
    • Participate in a group sport or activity
    • Learn a foreign language
    • Volunteer in your community
    • Try a new hobby or activity
    • Work crossword puzzles and logic problems
    • Work a jigsaw puzzle
    • Maintain an active social life

    Reading is a powerful tool to combat Alzheimer’s

    Reading is one of the best brain stimulating activities that you can do to prevent cognitive decline and related conditions like Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia. It helps to keep your brain active and engaged while helping to prevent memory loss.

    One study found that people who frequently engaged in mentally stimulating activity later in life had a 32% lower rate of mental decline than those whose mentally stimulating activity frequency was average. What’s more, people whose engagement in mentally stimulating activity was infrequent experienced a 48% faster decline in cognitive and mental abilities.

    While reading is a great way to protect your brain, it can be a challenge for some people. Older adults may have mobility issues and have difficulty holding a book or reading device. They may have difficulty seeing to the extent that it impacts their reading effectiveness. This can be a problem and keep these people from enjoying a great book or getting lost in an enthralling story. It doesn’t have to be that way though.

    Text-to-Speech for better brain health

    Text-to-speech, or TTS, allows the reader to hear the words from documents, articles and more. This allows them to read that story, enjoy it, and still get the cognitive stimulation benefits without having to struggle to handle a book or read.

    Speechify has a TTS program that allows you to read better and faster, to retain more of what you read, and improve your memory. It lets you listen, read, and stimulate your brain whether you are just listening, or you are using the highlight feature and reading along. You can also choose your reading speed.

    This helps you retain and comprehend more of what you read while giving your brain a healthy workout. The program is flexible and easy to use so that you can read those great books – but you can also read email, text messages, important documents, and more. If your vision is compromised, Speechify gives you the independence you want and empowers you to read what you want, when you want, and how you want.

    If you want to tap into the power and health benefits of reading, give Speechify a try. Visit our site to learn more and sign up for our free trial so you can see how it works for you. Then you can read to your heart’s content.

    FAQ

    Is reading good for preventing dementia?

    A study published in July 2018 in JAMA Psychiatry found that reading daily may reduce the risk of dementia. The Elderly Health Centres at Hong Kong conducted the research and tracked more than 15,000 people, age 65 and older for five years. People who had a daily habit of reading were not as prone to Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia.

    Can reading help with memory loss?

    Research has found that reading can not only help prevent memory loss, but it can also help you improve your memory. The act of reading is a cognitively stimulating activity, a “brain exercise.” This means that it stimulates the brain and that in turn induce the production of new neurons that improve brain function. Memory is one of those functions.

    Other issues like stress and poor concentration can impact memory as well. Reading helps to reduce stress and improve concentration levels. Reading may also slow or inhibit cognitive decline in adults over 65.

    How can you prevent Alzheimer’s naturally?

    Diet and exercise are two of your best ways to prevent Alzheimer’s naturally. Alzheimer’s has been linked to cardiovascular disease. Studies show that people who have heart disease may have a higher risk of cognitive decline.

    Eating a healthy, balanced diet with whole foods and limited or no processed foods, as well as regular, moderate exercise can not only prevent heart disease, but it may also prevent Alzheimer’s. It is also much better for your brain as well. 30 minutes three to four times a week is all you need to reap the benefits.

    {“@context”:”https://schema.org”,”@type”:”FAQPage”,”mainEntity”:[{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”Is reading good for preventing dementia?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:”A study published in July 2018 in JAMA Psychiatry found that reading daily may reduce the risk of dementia. The Elderly Health Centres at Hong Kong conducted the research and tracked more than 15,000 people, age 65 and older for five years. People who had a daily habit of reading were not as prone to Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia.”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”Can reading help with memory loss?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:”Research has found that reading can not only help prevent memory loss, but it can also help you improve your memory. The act of reading is a cognitively stimulating activity, a “brain exercise.” This means that it stimulates the brain and that in turn induce the production of new neurons that improve brain function. Memory is one of those functions.nnOther issues like stress and poor concentration can impact memory as well. Reading helps to reduce stress and improve concentration levels. Reading may also slow or inhibit cognitive decline in adults over 65.”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”How can you prevent Alzheimer’s naturally?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:”Diet and exercise are two of your best ways to prevent Alzheimer’s naturally. Alzheimer’s has been linked to cardiovascular disease. Studies show that people who have heart disease may have a higher risk of cognitive decline.nnEating a healthy, balanced diet with whole foods and limited or no processed foods, as well as regular, moderate exercise can not only prevent heart disease, but it may also prevent Alzheimer’s. It is also much better for your brain as well. 30 minutes three to four times a week is all you need to reap the benefits.”}}]}

    Cliff Weitzman

    Cliff Weitzman

    Cliff Weitzman is a dyslexia advocate and the CEO and founder of Speechify, the #1 text-to-speech app in the world, totaling over 100,000 5-star reviews and ranking first place in the App Store for the News & Magazines category. In 2017, Weitzman was named to the Forbes 30 under 30 list for his work making the internet more accessible to people with learning disabilities. Cliff Weitzman has been featured in EdSurge, Inc., PC Mag, Entrepreneur, Mashable, among other leading outlets.

    Dyslexia & Accessibility Advocate, CEO/Founder of Speechify Dyslexia & Accessibility Advocate, CEO/Founder of Speechify

    Recent Blogs

    • Ultimate guide to ElevenLabs
      Ultimate guide to ElevenLabs
      Arrow
    • Voice changer for Discord
      Voice changer for Discord
      Arrow
    • How to download YouTube audio
      How to download YouTube audio
      Arrow
    • Speechify 3.0 Released.
      Speechify 3.0 is the Best Text to Speech App Yet.
      Arrow
    • Voice API
      Voice API: Everything You Need to Know
      Arrow
    • Text to audio
      Best text to speech generator apps
      Arrow
    • The best AI tools other than ChatGPT
      The best AI tools other than ChatGPT
      Arrow
    • Top voice over marketplaces reviewed
      Top voice over marketplaces reviewed
      Arrow
    • Speechify Studio vs. Descript
      Speechify Studio vs. Descript
      Arrow
    • Google Cloud Text to Speech API
      Everything to Know About Google Cloud Text to Speech API
      Arrow
    • Source of Joe Biden deepfake revealed after election interference
      Source of Joe Biden deepfake revealed after election interference
      Arrow
    • How to listen to scientific papers
      How to listen to scientific papers
      Arrow
    • How to add music to CapCut
      How to add music to CapCut
      Arrow
    • What is CapCut?
      What is CapCut?
      Arrow
    • VEED vs. InVideo
      VEED vs. InVideo
      Arrow
    • Speechify Studio vs. Kapwing
      Speechify Studio vs. Kapwing
      Arrow
    • Voices.com vs. Voice123
      Voices.com vs. Voice123
      Arrow
    • Voices.com vs. Fiverr Voice Over
      Voices.com vs. Fiverr Voice Over
      Arrow
    • Fiverr voice overs vs. Speechify Voice Over Studio
      Fiverr voice overs vs. Speechify Voice Over Studio
      Arrow
    • Voices.com vs. Speechify Voice Over Studio
      Voices.com vs. Speechify Voice Over Studio
      Arrow
    • Voice123 vs. Speechify Voice Over Studio
      Voice123 vs. Speechify Voice Over Studio
      Arrow
    • Voice123 vs. Fiverr voice overs
      Voice123 vs. Fiverr voice overs
      Arrow
    • HeyGen vs. Synthesia
      HeyGen vs. Synthesia
      Arrow
    • Hour One vs. Synthesia
      Hour One vs. Synthesia
      Arrow
    • HeyGen vs. Hour One
      HeyGen vs. Hour One
      Arrow
    • Speechify makes Google’s Favorite Chrome Extensions of 2023 list
      Speechify makes Google’s Favorite Chrome Extensions of 2023 list
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Vimeo Video: A Comprehensive Guide
      How to Add a Voice Over to Vimeo Video: A Comprehensive Guide
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video: A Comprehensive Guide
      How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video: A Comprehensive Guide
      Arrow
    • What is Speech AI: Explained
      What is Speech AI: Explained
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      The Best Celebrity Voice Generators in 2024
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      YouTube Text to Speech: Elevating Your Video Content with Speechify
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      The 7 best alternatives to Synthesia.io
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      Everything you need to know about text to speech on TikTok
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      The 10 best text-to-speech apps for Android
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      How to convert a PDF to speech
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      The top girl voice changers
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      How to use Siri text to speech
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      Obama text to speech
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      Robot Voice Generators: The Futuristic Frontier of Audio Creation
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      PDF Read Aloud: Free & Paid Options
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      Alternatives to FakeYou text to speech
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      All About Deepfake Voices
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      TikTok voice generator
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      Text to speech GoAnimate
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      The best celebrity text to speech voice generators
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      PDF Audio Reader
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      How to get text to speech Indian voices
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      Elevating Your Anime Experience with Anime Voice Generators
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      Best text to speech online
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      Top 50 movies based on books you should read
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      Download audio
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      How to use text-to-speech for Quandale Dingle meme sounds
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      Top 5 apps that read out text
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      The top female text to speech voices
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      Female voice changer
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      Sonic text to speech voice generator online
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      Best AI voice generators – The Ultimate List
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      Voice changer
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      Text to speech in Powerpoint
      Arrow
    footer-waves