January is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month and I liked the slogan for the campaign of the Alzheimer Society of Canada: Heads Up for Healthier Brains. The message is to focus on the lifestyle changes you can make at this very moment to be brain smart. Even if Alzheimer's is in your genes, you can outsmart your heredity with the latest research-based strategies!

Recent studies highlight the following positive lifestyle changes to postpone or even prevent Alzheimer’s.

• Long term intake of caffeine – Enjoy your coffee and the alertness it brings
• Exercise your body to improve your mind; Cross train and vary your workouts. Dancing is great because you learn new steps – better for you than crossword puzzles!
• Follow the Mediterranean diet – Low fat Pizza is good for you! Enjoy olive oil with your salads to absorb the nutrients!
• Eat fish 2 to 3 times a week – particularly fatty fish like salmon.
• Eat a rainbow array of fruits and vegetables and juice it up! Jack LaLanne drinks mixed vegetable and fruit juices up to 5 times a day and look at the physical and mental shape he is in!
• Manage your stress!!! Don’t inflame your brain, your heart and your language. Cool off by inhaling and exhaling to your own natural rhythm and visualizing a serene happy place by using your 5 senses!

---

Debbie Mandel, MA is the author of Changing Habits: The Caregivers' Total Workout and Turn On Your Inner Light: Fitness for Body, Mind and Soul, a stress-reduction specialist, motivational speaker, a personal trainer and mind/body lecturer. She is the host of the weekly Turn On Your Inner Light Show on WGBB AM1240 in New York City , produces a weekly wellness newsletter, and has been featured on radio/ TV and print media. To learn more visit: www.turnonyourinnerlight.com