Alzheimer's Myth 6

By , Caring.com senior editor
Myth 6: "Alzheimer's disease is preventable."

There's no known way to prevent Alzheimer's disease because the cause isn't known. Although researchers are learning more and more about the disease, they haven't yet identified the reason that brain cells progressively fail. The best you can do is try to reduce your risk.

Purported causes of Alzheimer's that have been discredited include getting flu shots, having amalgam fillings (the "silver" kind), and exposure to aluminum (such as eating or drinking from aluminum containers). Research is continuing on whether certain people are vulnerable to the presence of metals in food.

Note that having a risk factor doesn't mean you'll get the disease. It simply raises the possibility.

Women are more often affected (they also live longer, and the risk increases with age). Obesity, smoking, and alcohol consumption are suspected but aren't considered strong risk factors.

Aside from advancing age and a genetic link, factors associated with higher risk of developing Alzheimer's include:

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