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The answer is still “we don’t know,” but we’re getting closer.
Alzheimer’s
is not normal in the course of aging, and it’s more than “a decline in
memory.” People suffering from Alzheimer’s, through progressive
destruction of brain cells, lose the ability to think, reason, learn and
communicate, and also undergo personality changes. For the ten warning
signs of Alzheimer’s go here: http://www.alz.org/AboutAD/10Signs.htm . Alzheimer’s is eventually fatal because the person cannot move or swallow.
Although
around 12 million people worldwide have Alzheimer’s, and 4-4.5 million
in the US, research in this field is still new and not enough is known
about either prevention or cure. Much of the research “suggests” but is
not conclusive.
RISK FACTORS
The biggest risk factor is
aging, with about 50% of people over 85 years of age having Alzlheimer’s
in the US. According to some sources, there’s evidence it has the same
risk factors as for heart disease: high blood pressure, high cholesterol
and elevated homocysteine, a protein building block.
In an
article called “Homocysteine is a Strong Risk factor for Alzheimer’s
Disease,” (New England Journal of Medicine, 2002 Feb 14; 346:476-483),
researchers concluded that “an increased homocysteine level is a strong,
independent risk factor for the development of dementia and Alzheimer’s
disease.”
VITAMIN E
According to research done by Martha
Clare Morris, ScD, Associate Professor of Internal Medicine and the Rush
Institute for Healthy Aging, Chicago, Illinois, lots of vitamin E
through food intake, not supplements is helpful. ( www.medscape.com) while another study (http://www.docguide.com/news/content.nsf/news/8525697700573E1885256C00004A766D ) suggests that both food intake and supplements of vitamin E is helpful.
Foods high in vitamin E are wheat germ, almonds, vegetable oils, margarine, and seeds (especially sunflower seeds).
1
T. of wheat germ provides 34.6 mg. of vitamin E, ½ cup of chocolate
covered almonds, 14.3 mg., 1 T. corn oil, 11-14 mg., 1 T. soybean oil,
8.8-14 mg.
According to the Almond Board of California, just one ounce of almonds provides more than 35% of the daily value of vitamin E.
FAT
According to studies reported in www.medscape.com,
high intake of saturated fat doubles the risk of Alzheimer’s disease,
and moderate intake of trans fat increases the risk by 2-3 times. Lower
risk is associated with high intake of both polyunsaturated and
monounsaturated fats. However there have been inconsistent findings,
with another study finding no influence from high ingestion of
polyunsaturated fats.
FISH AND n-3 FATTY ACIDS
There is
some evidence that dietary intake of fish and n-3 fatty acids can
protect against Alzheimer’s but again, no causal association has been
established.
Assuming that vitamin E and n-3 fatty acids and
unhydrogenated, unsaturated fats help, your best bet would be to eat
plenty of oil-based salad dressings, nuts, seeds, fish, mayonnaise, and
eggs.
CURRY
If you love curry like I do, this information
will be welcome. One of the lowest rates of Alzheimer’s appears in
Indian villages, with only 1% of people 65 and older having the
condition.
A recent study suggests that the reason might be a
diet high in curcumin, a compound found in turmeric which is used in
curry, which has long been used as an herbal treatment in that country.
Researchers investigating this link will also be looking at rosemary and
ginger, also high in the Indian diet, because their structure is
similar to curcumin. [Source: “The Curry Spice Curcumin Reduces
Oxidative Damage and Amyloid Pathology in an Alzheimer Transgenic
Mouse,” Lim, Chuet al.]
TESTOSTERONE
Another link in the
chain may be testosterone levels. Dr. Sozos Ch. Papasozomenos and Dr.
Alikunju Shanavas, from the University of Texas-Houston Medical School
conclude from their studies that “testosterone given alone to aging men
and given combined with 17-beta-estradiol to postmenopausal women would
probably prove beneficial in preventing and/or treating Alzheimer’s
disease.” [Reported in the proceedings of the National Academy of
Sciences.] However, the case for hormones for postmenopausal women is
far from settled and not at all clear.
LITHIUM
Another
possibility is lithium. This long-standing treatment for bipolar
disorder has worked as a preventative with mice, and may be useful for
humans, though the side-effects are high, and it doesn’t help people who
already have Alzheimer’s. [Source: Nature, 2003]
WEIGHT, WOMEN & ALZHEIMER’S
Researchers
have also found a strong relationship in women between being overweight
at age 70 and developing Alzheimer’s 10-18 years later, although being
overweight doesn’t appear to effect men and Alzheimer’s. (http://www.stopgettingsick.com/Conditions/condition_template.cfm/6880/24/1 )
USE IT OR LOSE IT
Studies
also suggest that keeping mentally active can ward off Alzheimer’s [New
England Journal of Medicine]. Oddly physical activity had no positive
preventive effect except in the case of dancing. Researchers speculated
that could be because music engages the mind. ( http://www.stopgettingsick.com/Conditions/condition_template.cfm/6817/24/1 )
These
are just a few of the latest “suggestions.” So little is known for
sure, and we hope research continues. In the meantime, we do hear the
same things over and over – good diet, exercise, and staying mentally
active.
Resource: The Alzheimer’s Association, http://www.alz.org
For medical advice, consult your personal healthcare professional.
About the Author
©Susan Dunn, MA, The EQ Coach, http://www.susandunn.cc
. I offer coaching, distance learning courses, and ebooks around
emotional intelligence. Free ezine, Mailto:sdunn@susandunn.cc. Daily
tips, send blank email to EQ4U-subscribe@yahoogroups.com . I train and
certify EQ coaches. Start tomorrow, no residence requirement, global
student body. Email for prospectus.
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