Neurologist Explains How to Delay Alzheimer’s Disease with Everyday Habits

Doctors cannot fully prevent or cure Alzheimer’s disease, but smart habits can push it back. Professor Rena Ismailova points to turmeric, nuts, puzzles and handcrafts as useful tools.

Alzheimer’s disease is hard to prevent fully and hard to cure. Even so, people can delay Alzheimer’s disease by a wide margin, says neurologist Professor Rena Ismailova. She named folk methods, the “use it or lose it” rule and even turmeric as helpful allies.

Brain exercises alone cannot stop the disease

Ismailova made one point very clear. No single brain exercise works as a magic shield. She explained why in plain terms.

“Alzheimer’s disease cannot be fully prevented or cured solely through one brain exercise or another, because it is a complex genetic and neurodegenerative disease. However, many habits once seen as simple “folk wisdom” now have strict scientific backing.”

The doctor added that scientists estimate up to 40% of dementia cases can be prevented or sharply delayed. Lifestyle changes make that difference.

Why turmeric and nuts may help the brain

Next, the professor turned to India, where Alzheimer’s appears less often. She tied this to the spice on many Indian dinner tables.

“For example, why do people in India suffer from Alzheimer’s less often? The buildup of toxic proteins in the brain comes with inflammation. Natural ingredients can help the body fight it. That is turmeric, which is used very widely in India.”

She also urged people to eat more nuts. According to Ismailova, nuts can fight inflammation in the brain too.

Use it or lose it: train your mind at any age

The neurologist stressed one rule above all others. She said it should never be forgotten.

“And we must not forget the main rule: the brain works on the principle of “use it or lose it”. The bigger a person’s cognitive reserve, the later dementia symptoms appear. First, learning foreign languages at any age. Second, solving crosswords and puzzles, playing chess. And of course, fine motor skills: knitting, embroidery, woodcarving.”

Dementia cases keep climbing worldwide

The numbers show why efforts to delay Alzheimer’s disease matter so much. The World Health Organization and other international bodies counted 40 to 50 million people with dementia between 2010 and 2020. After 2020, the charts and statistical curves shot sharply upward. Diagnosed cases now top 55 to 60 million people worldwide.

Dementia and Alzheimer’s are not the same thing. Dementia is a syndrome, a general state of decline. Alzheimer’s is a specific disease that causes it.