By Dr. Joseph Mercola
     with Rachael Droege

As the population continues to age, the number of people with Alzheimer's disease is expected to increase some 70 percent, as the greatest known risk factor of Alzheimer's is age. About 4.5 million people are affected today and it is estimated that this number will increase to 7.7 million by 2030.

Experts are calling this great increase in Alzheimer's cases a "looming public health disaster" that could potentially turn into an unmanageable health care crisis. Aside from the great emotional and physical toll the disease can take, an Alzheimer's epidemic will have devastating consequences for the health care economy. Already, U.S. businesses spend $61 billion on Alzheimer's each year for medical expenses and loss of productivity, and economic studies estimate that Medicare spending on Alzheimer's will rise 54 percent to $49.3 billion, and Medicaid costs will rise 80 percent to $33 billion by 2010.

What's important to understand, though, is that Alzheimer's disease is not a normal part of aging, and there are ways to reduce your chances of getting the disease.

Eat a Nutritious Diet

While family history and genetics are thought to play a role in Alzheimer's, factors that can be controlled by diet, including high cholesterol and high blood pressure, have also been found to increase the risk for developing Alzheimer's.

One of the best things you can do to prevent dementia--and a variety of other chronic disease--is to follow the diet described in my new book. The premise is to increase the amount of fresh vegetables, which are high in folate, in your diet and restrict grains and sugars. More likely than not, this will resolve cholesterol and blood pressure issues. It will also strengthen your body, allowing it to fight off a host of diseases, not to mention give you increased amounts of energy. You can check out my nutrition plan to get started.

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Exercise

We all know that exercise is good for our cardiovascular system, but studies have found that exercise can also protect the brain, thereby warding off Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia.

According to one study, the odds of developing Alzheimer's were nearly quadrupled in people who were less active during their leisure time, between the ages of 20 and 60, compared with their peers.

Similar to a healthy diet, regular physical activity is one of those things that can significantly improve many aspects of your physical and emotional health. For the elderly, simple activities such as walking and light weight training would likely provide benefits. For those who are younger, more strenuous exercise may heighten the benefits.

Avoid and Remove Mercury From Your Body

Even trace amounts of mercury can cause the type of damage to nerves that is characteristic of the damage found in Alzheimer's disease. Dental amalgam fillings are one of the major sources of mercury, however you should be healthy prior to having them removed. Once you have adjusted to following the diet described in my new book, you can follow the mercury detox protocol and then find a biological dentist to possibly have your amalgams removed.

Other sources of mercury include seafood, thimerosal-containing vaccinations and flu shots, which contain both mercury and aluminum.

Avoid Aluminum

Aluminum has been widely associated with Alzheimer's disease. Your main sources of exposure are likely through drinking water and antiperspirants.

Aluminum cookware may also be a source of exposure. Although aluminum pots are probably less problematic than the sources mentioned above, I personally would not use aluminum cookware.

Challenge Your Mind

Mental stimulation, such as traveling, learning to play an instrument or doing crossword puzzles, is associated with a decreased risk of Alzheimer's. Researchers suspect that mental challenge helps to build up the brain, making it less susceptible to the lesions associated with Alzheimer's disease.

Mental Stimulation Keeps Alzheimer's Away

Aluminum in Water May Increase Alzheimer's Risk

Early Alzheimer's Treatment Can Cut Costs

Alzheimer's Vaccine Causes Life-Threatening Side Effects

Drugs Fail to Slow Alzheimer's

You Don't Have to Get Alzheimer's