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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
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. A reader calls it "Awesome -- a real
find!"
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