Taking care of your health is the best step you can take to prevent Lou Gehrig’s disease, also known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
This neurodegenerative disease is the result of complex lifestyle and genetic factors. When you care for your body and mind, it’s more likely to take care of you, too, including fighting off age-related diseases.
Here’s how you can prevent ALS from developing in your later years.
Make Nutritious Meals
Nutrition has always been important, but when it comes to degenerative diseases, it’s crucial to get your vitamins and minerals in. Certain nutrients in fruits, vegetables, and leafy greens naturally help prevent disease in older adults.
You may have heard the saying, “Eat the rainbow.” This refers to various colors of plant-based foods; these foods are the most nutritious and have lots of antioxidants.
Antioxidants are anti-aging powerhouses, as they reduce the amount of oxidative stress your tissues experience. More oxidative stress can lead to immune problems and, eventually, degenerative diseases.
If you want to prevent conditions like ALS, eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Make sure you get plenty of vitamins and minerals at each meal.
Stay Active
Movement is one of the healthiest forms of disease prevention available for older adults. As a senior, your body must stay flexible and mobile for as long as possible to protect your health.
This doesn’t mean you have to run marathons. Even light movement, like walking, swimming, or biking, has tremendous health benefits.
Studies have shown that older adults who remain physically active are less likely to develop health problems later in life. Keep your heart pumping to help prevent Lou Gehrig’s disease.
Keep Your Mind Sharp
Neurodegenerative diseases like ALS impact your brain first and foremost. By keeping your mind active and healthy, you can easily identify cognitive decline if it starts happening. Early detection and treatment are key to fighting off ALS symptoms.
Some ways you can keep your mind active include:
- Crossword puzzles
- Math problems
- Tetris-style games
- Reading books
- Word problems
- Playing complex games with others
These activities can be sources of fun and enjoyment while warding off neurodegenerative symptoms.
Reduce Stress
Stress can have devastating consequences for your health. Make stress reduction a priority so you can enjoy a long, happy life.
Psychological stress has been shown to induce changes in the parts of genes that control aging and lifespan. If you are constantly under mental stress, chances are your body is storing it for later.
Try to maintain peace and joy in your life to prevent diseases like ALS.
Get Ahead of ALS
As an older adult, you deserve to live a satisfying, relaxing life. Stay ahead of the curve of ALS symptoms by using these preventive strategies.
This post was written by a medical professional at Stemedix Inc. At Stemedix we provide access to Regenerative Medicine for ALS, also known as Stem cell treatment for ALS. Regenerative medicine has the natural potential to help improve symptoms sometimes lost from the progression of many conditions.
