According to a report released on Monday for World Alzheimers Day it has been said that the number of people with Alzheimer’s globally is estimated to double every 20 years.

Leading its way will be Asia Pacific at 89 percent, 77 percent in Southern Latin America and North America not too far behind at 63 percent in increase and Europe with an increase of 40 percent.  The reason behind the report is that people are living longer than past generations and population is also expected to grow.  By 2010 there will be over 35 million people all over the world that will be living with dementia and by 2030 it is expected to double that number.

According to National Institutes of Health one in seven Americans over the age of 71 years old have dementia.  Experts say that the cause of the disease are said to be genetic but that others are thought to be preventable.  Participating in physical exercise as well as mental stimulation has been known to keep the brain healthy. Assistant Professor Andrew Carle from George Mason University believes that “Our brains can be made stronger through exercise and that there’s been some evidence that cognitive exercise can at least delay the onset of Alzheimer’s.”

Antioxidants such as vitamins A, C and E can prevent cell damage and are believed to delay the effects of aging on the body. Certains foods with curry are also a good source of preventing dementia. A study that was done in Singapore that showed those who ate curry for a week helped better their memory scores.  

Fish oil is also another good source as they contain anti-flammatory properties and  Phosphatidylserine supplements which is a major component of cell membranes may also help too. 

Article provided by CNN