Even though no drug therapy or treatment regimen has yet been found that will definitively prevent Alzheimer's disease, lifestyle choices can make a big difference in your risk of developing the condition down the line. Researchers are now discovering, in fact, that certain healthy habits and lifestyle practices appear to reduce your chances of developing Alzheimer's — and they say it's never too early to begin making healthy changes.
"We know that alterations in the brain associated with Alzheimer's can start decades before symptoms appear, so it may be wise to start thinking about prevention as early as your 30s and 40s," says Zoe Arvanitakis, MD, an Alzheimer's researcher at Rush University's Alzheimer's Disease Center in Chicago and associate professor of neurology at Rush University Medical School.
But what behaviors really make a difference? While there are no guarantees, experts believe that concentrating on the following five areas may give you a leg up on this difficult and debilitating illness.
Eat Smart Sticking to a healthy, low-fat diet has been linked to Alzheimer's prevention. One Harvard study of 13,000 women, age 70 and older, found that those who ate the most vegetables — especially green leafy ones (like spinach and romaine lettuce) and cruciferous ones (like broccoli and cauliflower) — experienced a slower rate of cognitive decline than those who ate the fewest vegetables. Turmeric*, a traditional Indian yellow spice used in curry, also shows promise in Alzheimer's prevention. In animal studies, UCLA researchers discovered that Alzheimer's-like brain plaques disappeared after treatment with compounds found in this spice. A diet loaded with heart-healthy foods may also help stave off the disease. "High cholesterol increases the risk of developing Alzheimer's since clogged arteries around the heart can lead to damaged blood vessels in the brain," says Dr. Arvanitakis. Because it is thought that this type of damage may disrupt brain circuits that are important for memory, eating a diet low in saturated fat and trans fats may help keep cholesterol in check and protect against Alzheimer's.
Get Moving Simply getting off the couch and going for a brisk walk may help prevent dementia and Alzheimer's disease. An Australian study recently published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that as little as six months of regular exercise produced improvement in memory and cognitive function in a group of older adults. A separate six-year study of 1,700 seniors 65 and older found that working out three or more times per week slashed the risk of developing Alzheimer's and dementia by 35 percent.
Maintain a Healthy Weight Obesity during midlife appears to raise the risk of developing Alzheimer's in the later years. A 2008 Kaiser Permanente study of 6,500 men and women found that those who were 30 or more pounds overweight and accumulated lots of belly fat in their 40s were 3.6 times more likely to develop Alzheimer's decades later. Studies also show that diabetes, which is linked to obesity, also increases the risk of Alzheimer's. "This may be a direct result of high blood sugar or because diabetes is associated with high cholesterol," says Arvanitakis. But dropping weight during midlife, especially in the belly, can reduce your risk of developing Alzheimer's.
Consider Supplements Scientists are studying whether certain nutrients acquired in dietary-supplement form can help protect against Alzheimer's. Folic acid, which is known to reduce levels of the amino acid homocysteine, shows some promise because elevated homocysteine levels can increase the risk of both heart disease and Alzheimer's. In one European study, a daily dose of 800 mcg of folic acid lowered homocysteine levels and significantly improved memory and cognitive function in a group of middle-aged and senior adults. At one time, high doses of vitamin E were also thought to have a possible protective role against Alzheimer's disease, but recent studies have found no link between vitamin E supplements and Alzheimer's development. Some research, however, has suggested that ginkgo biloba, a popular memory-enhancing herb, may be helpful in delaying the development of Alzheimer's.
Stay Mentally Active Exercising your mind is one of the easiest ways to help prevent Alzheimer's. Researchers at Rush University's Alzheimer's Disease Center found that seniors who stayed mentally active by reading, doing crossword puzzles, and taking classes were more than twice as likely to stay free from Alzheimer's disease in comparison to less mentally active people. Other studies have produced similar results. "Using your brain to learn new information, solve problems, and form memories not only helps to maintain existing brain circuits but may also create new ones," says Arvanitakis. "This could prevent Alzheimer's disease from ever developing." So pick up a book or click on an informative Web site today. You may be helping to keep Alzheimer's at bay! _______________________________________________________________________________
Alzheimer's is, unfortunately, a progressive disease for which there is no cure, at present, although stem cell research promises new hope, but not in the very near future. There are medications which can help, at least, for some time. Some are shown at http://www.drugs.com or Google: "alzheimer's disease; medications" The average life expectancy of a person with Alzheimer's is 10 years. A new product, which can dissolve the amyloid plaque found in the brains of people with Alzheimer's is currently being tested on laboratory animals. See the rest of this article at http://your-mental-health.8m.com/blank_18.html where there is much more detail shown. _______________________________________________________________________________
From Yahoo Answers: The problem with Alzheimers is neurons lost connections. Make connections, then. Music is a very good answer. You can buy a flute or an electronic piano or any other instrument and teach her some songs. You can start with easy ones and then go on.
You can also ask her questions, or ask her some stories from time ago. Usually, aged people remember what happened many years ago, but they don't remember where they put the keys.
Have you ever hearded about "cerebral gymnastics" ?? It's exersices for anyone who wants to improve memory, concentration and so on. An exercize, for example, is to change routine. Let's say: you stand up, maybe pray, brush your teeth, wash your face and comb your hair. Well, then tomorrow you can start by washing your face and ending brushing your teeth. Gingko biloba, and fish oil supplements: no alumin(i)um products (www.mercola.com) such as in cooking, antiperspirants, deodorants, or some antacids. Keep mentally active. Moderate exercise. I'm teaching myself to be ambidextrous, so the other half of my brain can take over functions, (as insurance) and use garlic, and ginger. See http://www.mental-health-abc.com/... & http://www.alzheimers.asn.au & http://www.neurologychannel.com... & http://www.alzheimers.org.au & http://www.dementianet.org.au
WEB MD.COM Preliminary studies have shown that CoQ10 may slow, but not stop, the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. Additional research is needed to confirm this effect.
CoQ10 has also been studied as a treatment for migraine, low sperm count, cancer, HIV, muscular dystrophy, gum disease, and many other conditions. However, the research has not found any conclusive benefits. Although CoQ10 is sometimes sold as an energy supplement, there is no evidence that it will boost energy in a typical person.
CoQ10 Dose & Instructions for Use There is no established ideal dose of CoQ10. Studies have used doses of CoQ10 ranging from 50mg to 1,200mg adults, sometimes split into several doses over the course of a day. Follow the instructions on the bottle or get advice from your doctor or a dietitian. Keep in mind that different supplement brands might have different ingredients and strengths.
CoQ10 Food Sources Good food sources of CoQ10 include:
Cold water fish, like tuna, salmon, mackerel, and sardines
Vegetable oils
Meats
CoQ10 Supplement Information CoQ10 supplements are sold as capsules, liquids, gelcaps, and tablets. Some CoQ10 supplements are combined with small amounts of fat or vitamin E, which makes them easier to absorb. CoQ10 is sometimes used in other forms, such as oral gels. Like any supplement, CoQ10 should be kept in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight and humidity.
CoQ10 Warnings
Side effects from CoQ10 seem to be rare and mild. They include diarrhea, nausea, and heartburn.
Risks. People with chronic diseases such as heart failure, kidney or liver problems, or diabetes should be wary of using this supplement. CoQ10 may lower blood sugar levels and blood pressure. Doses of more than 300mg may affect liver enzyme levels.
Interactions. People taking blood thinners and thyroid medications should check with their doctors before using CoQ10 supplements.
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A recent study in the Journal of Neurochemistry reported that Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients have severely decreased levels of SAMe in their brains. This is an important discovery because it was previously assumed from studies on blood cells that AD patients had too much SAMe. Proper studies have never been done with SAMe as a treatment for Alzheimer's disease because of this erroneous assumption.
WARNING: (USA): Life Extension Foundation, who produce this brand of SAMe has recently undertaken an analysis of seven commercial brands of SAMe. Two were found to have NO SAMe present; one had the wrong form of SAMe and two others had less than 100% potency. So buyer beware!
AUSTRALIANS NOTE: Only the homeopathic (extremely low SAMe content) type is available OTC in health food stores. Check with your doctor if you can get it on prescription locally. If you import it, you may find it is subject to the Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations, so check this out first, via the Australian Customs website. _______________________________________________________
One (USA) couple recommended: We take lipoic acid, Co-Q10 (ubiquinol), DMAE, pregnenolone, DHEA, Acetyl-L-carnosine, ginkgo biloba, hydergine, lecithin, DHA, vinpocetine, magnesium citrate. Also take monatomic gold and zeolite. ______________________________________________________