Although we don't know and may never know the exact causes of Alzheimer's disease, we do know that several food and lifestyle choices are strongly linked to a decrease in one's risk for developing Alzheimer's.

What follows are six important food and lifestyle factors that can dramatically reduce your risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.

1. Drink Vegetable Juices

A study published in the September issue of the American Journal of Medicine indicates that people who drink three or more servings of fruit and vegetable juices per week have a 76 percent lower risk of developing Alzheimer's disease compared to people who drink less than one serving per week. Because some people develop a high blood sugar level and associated health challenges when they drink fruit juices on a regular basis, it is best for the masses to stick to vegetable juices. If you don't have a juicer, then eat plenty of raw vegetables.

2. Ensure Regular Intake Of Omega-3 Fatty Acids

A study published in the Journal of Neuroscience indicates that a diet high in omega-3 fatty acids, particularly docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), can dramatically slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease in mice. The consensus among neuroscientists worldwide is that consumption of foods that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids is essential to building and maintaining a healthy nervous system, the system that becomes dysfunctional in cases of Alzheimer's disease.

Some healthy foods that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids are:

* Cod liver oil

* Raw walnuts that have been soaked in water for a few hours

* Seaweed

* Purslane

* Freshly ground flax seeds

* Cold-water fish like wild salmon

* Organic eggs from free range birds

3. Strive To Reach and Maintain A Healthy Body Weight For Your Height

According to research that was presented at the 58th annual meeting of the American Academy of Neurology in April of 2006, people who are overweight when they are in their 40s have a greater risk of developing Alzheimer's disease later in life than those who are not overweight when they are in their 40s.

4. Enjoy Activities That Mentally Stimulate You

The cells that make up your brain are similar to those that make up your muscles; they need to be exercised to stay healthy and strong. If your daily work doesn't require you to solve problems and be creative, consider adopting hobbies that do. Not only will you decrease your risk of developing Alzheimer's, you're bound to feel more alive!

5. Avoid Aluminum

According to the National Institutes of Health, "certain aluminum compounds have been found to be an important component of the neurological damage characteristics of Alzheimer's disease."

The most common sources of aluminum exposure are:

* Processed cheese and cornbread

* Some over-the-counter drugs such as antacids and buffered aspirin

* Aluminum cookware, especially when alkaline foods (like green vegetables) or acidic foods (like tomatoes) are cooked in them

* Antiperspirants

While it is impossible to completely avoid exposure to aluminum through contaminated food, air, and water, taking heed of the sources listed above can significant reduce your long term exposure.

6. Avoid Vaccines And Other Potential Sources of Mercury

While mainstream medicine and science has yet to acknowledge a link between mercury exposure and one's risk for Alzheimer's disease, a study published in a 2001 edition of the journal NeuroReport indicates that inhalation of mercury vapor can cause neurological damage that is strikingly similar to the damage that is found in people with Alzheimer's disease.

The most common sources of mercury exposure are:

* Thimerosal, a preservative that is found in many vaccines

* Amalgam dental fillings

* Seafood, particularly large fish that are high in the food chain

* Broken compact fluorescent light bulbs

Dr. Ben Kim is the founder and primary writer for DrBenKim.com, a natural health web site that publishes a weekly health newsletter that is read by tens of thousands of people from all over the globe. He lives with his wife and son in Ontario, Canada.