June is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, an important time to talk about this devastating disease. Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia and a progressive disease, meaning symptoms worsen over time. Alzheimer’s patients at first experience mild memory loss, but later they often cannot hold conversations or remember family members. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Alzheimer’s is the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States, and over 5.5 million U.S. adults live with it.

There is no cure for Alzheimer’s, but research shows improving exercise, diet, mental activity and social interaction can reduce the risk of cognitive decline.

Exercise may lower Alzheimer’s risk by increasing blood and oxygen flow to brain cells, which helps the brain function better, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. A study published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease found 2.5 hours of exercise each week could improve memory after three months. Another reason to lace up the running shoes!

Diet goes hand-in-hand with exercise. The Mediterranean diet in particular can reduce the risk of dementia. This diet focuses on fruits, vegetables and nuts, uses olive oil in place of butter and limits red meat. Mentally challenging activities such as learning a new skill, enrolling in classes and reading new books keep neurons in the brain firing and reduce the risk of cognitive decline.

Lastly, interacting with friends and family members strengthen the connections between nerve cells in the brain.

Adopt these healthy lifestyle habits and you will reap many benefits, including stronger cognitive functions that may help keep Alzheimer’s at arm’s length.