There are over 5.5 million Americans suffering from this disease. Most people think they know the signs to look out for, including confusion and behavioral changes.

But did you know that there is a sign that everyone misses, because there’s a good chance that you do it every day?

Read This If You’ve Ever Had a Nap

Early detection is key when it comes to treating Alzheimer’s, so researchers are constantly trying to discover early warning signs.

A recent study done at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, suggests that something most of us do every day can be a sign – a daytime nap.

The researchers looked at the relationship between excessive daytime sleepiness and neurodegenerative disease.

They did this because most people sleep more and more during the day as they get age.

The study discovered a link between excessive daytime sleeping and diseases like Alzheimer’s.

Here are their findings:

"Our study showed that [excessive daytime sleepiness] in elderly persons without dementia may be associated with longitudinal [beta-amyloid] accumulation, particularly in the cingulate gyrus and precuneus.

This finding supports previous literature suggesting that [excessive daytime sleepiness] is a risk factor for cognitive decline or dementia."

How to Stop Mental Decline Before It Starts

In a recent breakthrough in Alzheimer's research at Johns Hopkins University, a nutrient commonly found in indian spices was found to improve memory better than the most popular Alzheimer's medication.

Better yet, a study₃ - recently published in the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiaty - provides evidence that it can protect the brain!

Watch this video to find out more about this nutrient and how it could benefit your health.