November is Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month. The goal of this designation is to educate the public about this debilitating condition and encourage prevention and research. A cure, treatment, and total prevention are still unknown, but with awareness and fundraising, we’re getting closer and closer to an answer each day. UNDERSTANDING ALZHEIMER’S 3 Ways to Lower Your Risk Researchers are currently examining biotechnology possibilities for vaccines to prevent Alzheimer’s or drug treatments to severely reduce symptoms. While various studies have provided important clues to what causes dementia, what we do know is that environment, genetics, and lifestyle all play a role in the development of Alzheimer’s. While you cannot prevent Alzheimer’s, you can lower your risk. Here are three steps you can take today. Adopt a Healthy Lifestyle Your heart may benefit from a diet that’s rich in good fats, leafy greens, and lean proteins, but your brain loves it, too. A heart-healthy lifestyle can increase the flow of oxygen to your brain, which can keep it functioning at a high level. Pair a good diet with regular exercise to boost these brain benefits. Exercise is another way your brain can receive oxygen, and it stimulates connections and improves your mood.
Exercise Your Brain Your brain can’t go for a walk, but it can be exercised. Social groups or hobbies are a great way for your brain to pump some serious iron. Researchers believe social interaction and actively doing something — like painting, woodworking, or putting a puzzle together — creates new neural pathways. This keeps your brain active. As an added bonus, socializing is vital for life. It challenges you, boosts your mood, and, overall, might make you healthier. Take Precautions You wouldn’t drive your car without wearing a seatbelt, so don’t ride your bike without wearing a helmet! Protect your head at all costs. Wear protective gear while biking or climbing, and wear a hard hat when doing at-home construction projects. Your skull is the only real protection your brain has, and unlike a broken arm or a scrape, time doesn’t heal this wound. A brain injury is often life-altering or deadly. If you have questions about how your Medicare plan covers you in the event you develop Alzheimer’s or dementia, please give us a call today. You can also learn more about Alzheimer’s at Alz.org.
CINNAMON-SPICED CANDIED SWEET POTATOES
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INGREDIENTS
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4 lbs orange-fleshed sweet potatoes, peeled and cut crosswise into 2-inch pieces, then cut lengthwise into 1-inch wedges
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1 cup light brown sugar, packed
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1 tbsp kosher salt
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1/4 tsp ground cloves
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1/4 cup unsalted butter, cubed
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4 (2-inch) cinnamon sticks
DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 350 F. 2. Place sweet potato wedges in a 4-quart baking dish. 3. Sprinkle sugar, salt, and cloves over sweet potatoes. 4. Dot with butter and place cinnamon sticks around sweet potatoes.
5. Bake, turning every 15 minutes, until sweet potatoes are tender and the liquid is syrupy, about 1 hour and 15 minutes. 6. Remove from the oven and let stand for 10 minutes. 7. Discard cinnamon sticks and serve.
CRANBERRY COBBLER ELECTION FOOTBALL NOVEL SAGITTARIUS
THANKSGIVING TOPAZ TURKEY VETERANS
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