Alzheimer's disease: 7 things that raise your risk

Think Alzheimer's disease strikes out of the blue? Maybe not. A study published in The Lancet Neurology shows that healthy living can help reduce the risk of Alzheimer's. The study found seven conditions in particular that account for up to half of the 35 million cases of Alzheimer's around the world and in the U.S. What are these behaviors? Keep clicking to see the top 7 risk factors for Alzheimer's disease...

7. Diabetes

finger, blood, diabetes, blood test, istockphoto, 4x3 — istockphoto

Problems with blood sugar control kick off the list of modifiable risk factors for Alzheimer's. The study suggests that 3 percent of Alzheimer's cases in the U.S. are linked to diabetes.

6. Low education (TIE)

dunce cap, stupid, low education, dropout, dumb, stupid — Flickr/Alan Levine

Time to go back to school - or to pick up a crossword puzzle? Low education - or simply not using your brain enough - accounts for 7 percent of Alzheimer's cases in the U.S.

6. Obesity (TIE)

fat, obesity, waist, measure, istockphoto, 4x3 — istockphoto

Packing on the pounds as you pile on the years? Midlife obesity accounts for 7 percent of Alzheimer's cases in the U.S.

4. High blood pressure

How's your blood pressure? Keep it in check; 8 percent of Alzheimer's cases are linked to mid-life hypertension.

3. Smoking

man, smoke, smoking, cigarette, alone, solo, generic, 4x3 — istockphoto

Need another reason not to smoke? Smoking accounts for 11 percent of Alzheimer's cases.

2. Depression

Depressed? Maybe it's time to seek treatment - 15 percent of Alzheimer's cases may stem from depression.

1. Too little exercise

Not enough physical activity is the number one preventable factor that contributes to Alzheimer's cases. About one third of the U.S. population is sedentary, so the highest risk factor is also dangerously common. Time to get up and move.