Alzheimers Disease

Let's start with the facts: Alzheimers Disease is a brain disorder, it is a progressive and fatal brain disease. Dr. Alois Alzheimer, a German physician first drew attention to it in 1906. In the years to follow a great deal has been learnt about the disease by the scientists.

A common myth is that Alzheimers Disease and Dementia are the same. Dementia refers to a cluster of symptoms, while Alzheimers Disease refers to a specific medical disease exhibiting many of the symptoms of Dementia. Some people who exhibit symptoms of dementia may be diagnosed with Alzheimers Disease, but others may be diagnosed with a completely different disorder. However, all patients with Alzheimers Disease will exhibit some degree of dementia.

As we grow older, our brains change, as do the rest of our body organs. Most of us experience mild memory loss as a normal part of aging. It is fine as long as it is not acute. But when it causes problems in our day to day activities, it must be accepted as a sign of failure of brain cells. The brain is made up of 100 billion nerve cells and each nerve cell communicates with others to develop a set of connections. These connections have special jobs such as thinking, learning and remembering. Where some help us to see, hear and smell, others tell our muscles when to move.

What can we do about Alzheimers Disease, and how can we prevent it?

Nutrition and Alzheimers Disease

What you consume does matter to your brain. Many studies have linked nutritional habits and specific dietary factors to the risk for Alzheimers Disease or cognitive decline. A healthy diet rich in antioxidants such as vitamins E and C throughout life may be a good protection against this and a large range of other diseases.

The below suggestions may assist persons caring for a family member with Alzheimers Disease or in fact as a preventative for themselves.

1) A healthy low-fat diet is associated with decreased risk of Alzheimers Disease. People who eat principally lean meats (fish and poultry) and fruits and vegetables have a lesser risk of developing the disease than people who eat a diet higher in fat and sugar.

2) A diet rich in foods containing vitamin E may help guard against Alzheimers Disease in some people. Such foods include vegetable oils, nuts, green leafy vegetables, and whole grains. It is thought that taking vitamin E supplements is not so effective. The best way to protect yourself from Alzheimers Symptoms is to get more of the vitamins from your foods.

3) A diet loaded in food containing vitamin B is important. Why? It has been reported that Alzheimers Disease patients have low B12 levels and are often deficient in B1, B2, B6, and B12. Different B vitamins come from diverse natural sources, such as potatoes, bananas, lentils, liver, turkey, and tuna.

4) Magnesium is also essential for brain function. A low level of magnesium overexcites the brain's neurons and results in a reduction of coherency. Defatted soy flour, whole grains, wheat bran, and nuts are excellent sources of a large amount of magnesium.

5) Green tea consumption on a daily basis is also said to prevent Alzheimers Disease.

Activity and Alzheimers Disease

Another vitally important aspect in the prevention of Alzheimers Disease is to keep our brain active. Read the papers, solve crosswords, figure out puzzles, socialize and keep contact with people.
Discuss the different kinds of medication with the family doctor. Some medicines like sleeping pills and certain combinations of medicines may adversely affect the memory. Take plenty of exercise, walk daily if possible. The exercise and fresh air are fundamental in keeping our whole bodies active and reducing memory loss.

What if you are concerned about yourself or that one of your loved ones is behaving or thinking abnormally? Consult a doctor, as the sooner a diagnosis is made the quicker Alzheimers treatment can be started.

It is estimated that more than 5 million people now have Alzheimers Disease in the U.S. Don't become a statistic.

 
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