Diet, stress, exercise and exposure to chemicals may affect your chances of getting Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease, a report by two environmental health advocacy organizations has found.

The key to reducing your risk of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s seems to be in leading a nutrition-conscious, active lifestyle. Here are tips:

• Avoid saturated and trans fats, and fill your diet with fresh fruits and veggies. Get plenty of omega-3s from eating fish regularly, but limit your consumption of fish that tend to be high in mercury (swordfish, king mackerel, and albacore and fresh tuna).

• Enjoy a glass. Red wine – as well as green tea – has important antioxidants. Caffeine also may reduce your risk of Parkinson’s.

• Limit exposure to lead and pesticides. They are known to increase the risk of Alzheimer’s and diabetes, which also comes with a risk of dementia.

• Stay socially and physically active, and exercise your brain with puzzles, word games, chess and other activities that require critical thinking. These measures reduce the risk of cognitive decline as you age.

The report is from the Greater Boston Physicians for Social Responsibility and the Science and Environmental Health Network.

Fitness on a budget
Los Angeles fitness expert Nancy Kennedy has some suggestions for staying in shape on a budget:

• Buddy up with a friend and split the cost of fitness equipment such as dumbbells, bands and mats. Rent or swap fitness videos.

• Buy healthy foods in bulk at club stores. Prepare low-calories meals that can last a few days, such as soups and stews.

• Save on multivitamins and supplements by looking for brands that combine ingredients.

Smoking and arthritis
People who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis may see an improvement in their condition if they quit smoking, a study by the American College of Rheumatology has found.

The study, described as preliminary, appears to offer the first evidence that giving up cigarettes may help arthritis patients, the researchers say.