Finding out about Alzheimer's.
November 22nd 2007 21:00
Signature Tune
From PARADE from Dr. Isadore Rosenfeld
Published: November 25, 2007
According to a recent analysis, one in seven Americans age 71 or older has some type of dementia, and in 70% of them, it’s due to Alzheimer’s.
That’s about 5 million men and women. As our lifespan increases, the incidence will certainly rise.
Researchers believe that the accumulation of two proteins in the brain likely damage and ultimately destroy nerve cells that are linked to learning and memory.
Here are some recent findings:
* They have been working to develop a blood test to assess risk of Alzheimer’s.
* FDA has approved donepezil for the treatment of all stages of AD.
* Maintaining your health and treating other conditions also may affect Alzheimer’s course. e.g.keeping your blood pressure within normal limits may slow the progression of Alzheimer’s.
* A variety of medications—already being used by millions to control high blood pressure—actually may prove to help protect individuals from memory and cognitive declines.
* Anti-inflammatory agents, such as ibuprofen, statin drugs (commonly used to lower cholesterol) and omega-3 fatty acids, also are being tested to see if they can slow Alzheimer’s progress.
* Individuals with Alzheimer’s may have characteristic behavior patterns that make them more vulnerable to this disease. It appears, for example, that if you are conscientious and prone to doing what’s right, you may be at somewhat less risk. Doctors speculate that doing “the right thing” may include such behaviors as not smoking or drinking to excess, and exercising more.
* The more highly educated you are, the older you will be if and when Alzheimer’s develops. But once it does, the rate of cognitive decline may be faster. It’s possible that all that education helps mask the early manifestations of the disease.
* What you eat apparently can affect your chances of getting Alzheimer’s. For example, the more closely one adheres to the Mediterranean diet (rich in fruits, vegetables, grains, potatoes, beans, nuts, seeds and olive oil), the lower the chances of getting AD. For those who strictly followed such a diet, that risk fell by 40%. There is increasing evidence, too, that a heart-healthy diet is beneficial to the brain.
We also have learned about possible links between Alzheimer’s and specific food items. One study revealed that those who consumed at least three glasses of fruit or vegetable juice a week had a 76% lower incidence of the disease. Another showed that older women who drink more than three cups of coffee every day are up to 70% less likely to have memory decline. Then there is the fascinating observation that an ingredient present in curry, curcumin, may be beneficial. This may, in part, explain the relatively low incidence of AD in India.
All this research—and more—is ongoing and promises to provide new and reliable clues that may help us learn how to prevent Alzheimer’s, treat its symptoms more effectively—and, someday, even cure it.
This is just to reinforce, supplement previous posts and demonstrate the seriousness of the disorder as already recognized at Government level - a big ask.
Alzheimer's disease
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Comment by Mountain Fog
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Screen Trek
QUOTE ME NO QUOTES!
interestingly, forgetting where you placed the keys and glasses, which end up finding on your forehead after ten minutes of frustrated searching, is not indicative of alzheimers...thank God!
Diet plays a huge role obviously, but, people forget about, or do not include in investigation, how amalgam fillings affect memory and health in general, and the preservatives, pesticides etc in food, must all play a part.
cheers
fog
Comment by katyzzz
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MS Paint Art
Thanks for the visit, there's your glasses on the table.