Aluminum is one of the most widely used metals in the world. Consider your morning commute: You hop into your car, where you’re protected from the elements by aluminum body panels. You sip your morning coffee from an aluminum travel mug. You arrive at your desk and pry open your laptop’s aluminum case to check your email.
All of this exposure to aluminum, however, may come at a cost. Research suggests that the metal — a known neurotoxin — builds up in the brain over time, contributing to Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative conditions.
Because aluminum is so pervasive, it’s nearly impossible to avoid completely. But taking certain steps can significantly lower your risk of developing dementia.
Watch your blood sugar
Even mild elevations of blood sugar, well below the threshold for making a diagnosis of diabetes, have now been demonstrated to significantly correlate with the risk of developing dementia. To keep blood sugar under control, limit the amount of carbohydrates you consume and choose healthy fats such as olive oil, coconut oil, nuts, and seeds. If you choose to eat meat, pick grass-fed beef and wild fish, which are higher in heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids.
Keep up with cardio
Physical activity is a wonderful brain activity. Aerobic activity can make your brain more resilient against developing dementia. At least 20 minutes of sustained aerobic activity each day, such as running, brisk walking, or bike riding.
Protect your noggin
Even mild head trauma early in life — a hard knock during a high school football game or a rough crash while rollerblading — can set the stage for dementia later on. Always wear a helmet when biking, skateboarding, or rollerblading.
Sip mineral water
Silicon is a common mineral in tap and bottled water. It also chemically counteracts aluminum and is given to patients to treat acute aluminum poisoning. A 2013 study in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease found that drinking mineral water with silicon helped flush aluminum from the body.
Lower your cholesterol
If your cholesterol levels are high, getting them under control may reduce your risk for dementia. In studies where large groups of people were followed for many years, people in midlife who were taking cholesterol-lowering statin drugs reduced their risk for dementia and Alzheimer’s disease by about 60 to 70% compared to those who weren’t taking statins for elevated cholesterol.
