Healthy living ‘could prevent Alzheimer’s’

TAKING care of your body just might save your mind. Millions of cases of Alzheimer’s disease worldwide could be prevented by curbing risk factors such as high blood pressure, smoking, obesity and lack of exercise.

A study offers more than the usual pep talk about healthy living. Seven conditions or behaviours account for up to half of the 35 million cases of Alzheimer’s around the world, it found. With no cure or treatment to reverse the mind-robbing disease, preventing new cases is crucial.

The study was presented yesterday at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in France, where sessions on prevention have been drawing standing-room-only crowds for several days.