Prevent or Delay Alzheimers Disease

Here's another great article on Alzheimers disease from one of our guest authors. We have written many articles on Alzheimers that you'll find elsewhere on this site, but we though it might also be useful to read what other people have written, hence this page. The more you know about this disease, the easier it will be to manage it. I hope you enjoy it. If you want to read more, click here...

Author: Phyllis Staff, Ph.D.

Argh! Where are my glasses? I put them down . . . to do what? And when?

As the daughter of an Alzheimer's patient, this inability to keep up with everyday items, like my
glasses and car keys, drives me absolutely nuts! Absent-mindedness has always plagued me. Now, it keeps
me anxious and guessing. Is this an early sign of Alzheimer's disease? Could I end up like my father,
crippled with this disease? I decided to stop worrying about it and act!

I searched the latest literature to see what techniques (no prescriptions, thank you!) could prevent or
delay the onset of Alzheimer's disease. Here are some of the things I found.

Diet Counts!

Vitamin E

Diets rich in vitamin E and essential oils may help prevent Alzheimer's disease. A study recently
reported in the Archives of Neurology (2002) found that participants, aged 65-102, who ate fish at
least once each week showed 36% less decline in cognitive functioning over the study's three+ years.
Similar results have been found in the Rotterdam Study, a study tracking over 9000 participants. Those
researchers found that participants who ate fish most often were only one-third as likely to develop
Alzheimer's Disease as those who ate fish least often. These studies provide compelling reasons to add
at least one meal of fish to your diet every week.

What other foods should you include? Olive oil is an especially valuable source of vitamin E and other
anti-oxidants. I prefer the extra virgin variety of olive oil for its milder taste. With a squeeze of
fresh lime juice, olive oil makes a very pleasant salad dressing. And I've discovered that the more I
use it, the more I like it.

B Vitamins

B vitamins, particularly folic acid and vitamin B-12, help prevent Alzheimer's as well as a host of
other diseases such as heart disease and stroke. A study from the National Institute on Aging found
that mice fed a diet rich in folic acid were able to repair damage to the DNA of nerve cells in the
hippocampus (an area needed for memory and learning). Foods rich in B vitamins whole grains, yeast,
meat, low-fat dairy products, lentils and leafy greens.

Can't I just take a pill?

B vitamins may not be readily absorbable from pills. Certainly, the supplement pills are better than
nothing, but for good absorption by the body, vitamin B shots may be preferable. Vitamin E and fish oil
capsules are readily absorbed, so they should help. Check with your doctor or a nutritionist for
correct dosages.

Substituting Soy for Dairy products

Soy may have protective properties and is a good source of B vitamins. I've known for years that ice
cream gives me a stomach-ache. The problem is that I'm an ice cream junkie, a dairy products junkie,
for that matter. I never met an aged cheddar cheese I didn't like. So I was very surprised to find that
I actually prefer soy-based milk and ice creams to their dairy counterparts. I haven't tried soy-based
cheeses yet. If you have, or if you've tried other soy substitutes, let me know what you think.

A caution: genetically-altered soy beans are often used in soy-based products. Without labeling, such
as that Western European countries require on all genetically-altered foods, it is difficult to be
certain that genetically-altered beans have been excluded from the products you're eating. I get mine
at the health-food store for a little added protection. Although I cannot tell if the product contains
some genetically-altered soy, the fact that it is organically grown assures me it is free of pesticide
residues.

What about NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)?

One of the prevailing theories is that inflammation causes or encourages Alzheimer's disease. This
theory led to the suggestion that a daily regimen of NSAIDs (Ibuprofen and similar products) might
prevent the disease. However, researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center (8th International
Conference on Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders, July 25, 2002) found no significant benefits
from NSAIDS compared to a placebo.

What to Avoid

Smoking

A brand-new study, also reported in Stockholm (July 23, 2002) during the 8th International Conference
on Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders, found that, among people who do not have the gene that
predisposes people to Alzheimer's disease, smoking is significantly related to the occurrence of
Alzheimer's disease. Yet another reason to stop smoking now!

Mercury

Even small amounts of mercury may create the neurofibrillar tangles (abnormal TAU proteins) that occur
in Alzheimer's and related diseases according to research conducted at the University of Calgary
Faculty of Medicine. So I'll avoid silver/mercury tooth fillings. My mercury-filled thermometer now
resides in the garbage can. The newer digital thermometers are easier, quicker, and safer to use.

Other Benefits of a Nutritious Diet

A nutritious diet, combined with a healthy lifestyle may prevent or ameliorate many diseases related to
aging. With a US growing population now over 65+ (17 million+ according to the latest US census),
seniors with serious medical problems may soon require more care than we can as a nation provide. We
must do all we can to eliminate the problems associated with aging. Then the golden years may be truly
golden.

About The Author

Copyright, 2002, Phyllis Staff Phyllis Staff, Ph.D. - Phyllis Staff is an experimental psychologist and
the CEO of The Best Is Yet.Net, an internet company that helps seniors and caregivers find trustworthy
residential care. She is the author of How to Find Great Senior Housing: A Roadmap for Elders and Those
Who Love Them. She is also the daughter of a victim of Alzheimer's disease. Visit the author's web site
at http://www.thebestisyet.net. pando19@yahoo.com

So, there you have it... another useful Alzheimers Disease article, filled with insights, tips, and techniques related to caring for someone with Alzheimers. I hope you found it useful and informative. Keep checking back, as I'll be adding more articles to our library regularly.

You may also want to visit our Resources page, where you'll find links to some of the best Alzheimers resources on the Web.