What Prevents Alzheimer’s Disease?

November 24, 2009 by · Leave a Comment

{old age} What prevents Alzheimer's disease?
Author: It's About My Personal and Professional Development
The answer is still "not know", but we are getting.

Alzheimer's is not normal in the course of aging and is more than "a decline in memory. People suffering from Alzheimer's, through the progressive destruction of brain cells lose the ability to think, reason, learn and communicate, and also suffer personality changes. For the ten warning signs of Alzheimer's disease, go here: http://www.alz.org/AboutAD/10Signs.htm. Alzheimer's is ultimately fatal because the person can not move or swallow.

Although about 12 million people worldwide suffer from Alzheimer's, and 4-4.5 million in the U.S., research in this field is still new and not enough is known about prevention or cure. Much of the research "suggests", but not conclusive.

RISK FACTORS

The biggest risk factor is aging, with 50% of people over 85 years of age in the U.S. Alzlheimer. According to some sources, there is evidence that the same risk factors for heart disease such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and high levels of homocysteine, a protein building block.

In an article titled "Homocysteine is a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease" (New England Journal of Medicine, 2002 Feb 14; 346:476-483), researchers concluded that "a higher level of homocysteine is a strong factor independent risk for developing dementia and Alzheimer's disease.

VITAMIN E

According to research conducted by Martha Clare Morris, ScD, Associate Professor of Internal Medicine and Rush Institute for Healthy Aging, Chicago, Illinois, much of the vitamin E through food intake, supplementation is not helpful. (Www.medscape.com), whereas another study (http://www.docguide.com/news/content.nsf/news/8525697700573E1885256C00004A766D) suggests that both food intake and supplements of vitamin E is helpful.

Foods rich in vitamin E are wheat germ, almonds, vegetable oils, margarine, and seeds (especially sunflower seeds). 1 T. Wheat germ provides 34.6 mg. Vitamin E, ½ cup chocolate covered almonds, 14.3 mg., 1 T. corn oil, 11-14 mg., 1 T. soy oil, 8.8-14 mg.

According to the Almond Board of California, just one ounce of almonds provides more than 35% of the daily value of vitamin E.

FAT

According to studies reported in www.medscape.com, high consumption of saturated fat doubled the risk of Alzheimer's disease, and moderate consumption of trans fats increases the risk of 2-3 times. Less risk is associated with high intake of both polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats. However, the results have been inconsistent with another study found no influence of high intake of polyunsaturated fat.

FISH AND N-3 Fatty Acids

There is some evidence that intake of fish and n-3 fatty acids may protect against Alzheimer's, but again, there is no causal link has been established.

Assuming that vitamin E and N-3 fatty acids and hydrogenated, unsaturated fats help, your best option would be to eat lots of oil-based salad dressings, nuts, seeds, fish, mayonnaise and eggs.

CURRY

If you like curry like myself, this information is welcome. One of the lowest rates of Alzheimer's disease appears on indigenous peoples, with only 1% of people over 65 years with the condition. A recent study suggests that the reason might be a diet high in curcumin, a compound found in turmeric used in curry, has been used as an herbal treatment in that country. Researchers studying the link also looks in the rosemary and ginger, is also high in the diet of India, because its structure is similar to curcumin. [Source: "The Curry Spice Curcumin reduces oxidative damage and amyloid pathology in an Alzheimer transgenic mouse," Lim, the Xueta.]

TESTOSTERONE

Another link in the chain can be testosterone levels. Dr. Sozos Cap. Dr. Papasozomenos and Alikunju Shanavas of the University of Texas-Houston Medical School concluded his studies that "testosterone given alone to aging men and taking into account together with 17-beta-estradiol to postmenopausal women would probably be beneficial in the prevention and / or treating Alzheimer's disease. [Reported in the proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.] However, the case of hormones for postmenopausal women is far from resolved, and not at all clear.

LITHIUM

Another possibility is the battery. This long duration of treatment for bipolar disorder has worked as a preventative in mice, and may be useful to humans, although the side effects are high, not help people who already have Alzheimer's disease. [Source: Nature, 2003]

WEIGHT, WOMEN AND ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE

Researchers have also discovered a strong link between overweight in women age 70 and developing Alzheimer's disease 10-18 years later, although overweight does not appear to effect men's and Alzheimer's. (http://www.stopgettingsick.com/Conditions/condition_template.cfm/6880/24/1)

Use it or lose it

Research also suggests that keeping mentally active can prevent Alzheimer's disease [New England Journal of Medicine]. Oddly enough physical activity had no preventive effect positive except in the case of dance. The researchers speculated it could be because the music is dedicated to the mind. (Http: / / www.stopgettingsick.com/Conditions/condition_template.cfm/6817/24/1)

These are just some of the recent "suggestions". So little is known with certainty, and we hope the investigation continues. Meanwhile, we hear the same things over and over again - a good diet, exercise and keeping mentally active.

Resources: The Alzheimer's Association, http://www.alz.org

For medical advice, consult your medical professional.
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