Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's Disease

Researchers have shown that if you have a genetic vulnerability to Alzheimer's, eating a greasy diet (more than 40% of calories from fat) may increase your risk of getting the disease by 7 times.

"We suspect that the damage caused by a high-fat diet happens earlier in life and only shows up later as Alzheimer's," says nutrition researcher Grace Petot, of Case Western Reserve Univ. in Cleveland. Here is another reason why eating less fat is smart. --Presented at the World Alzheimer's Congress, July 2000.

This info is in line with work done at our own Loma Linda University. Here researchers showed that the frequency of Alzheimer's among vegetarians is less than one-half as much as in meat eaters. --Neuroepidemiology, 11:28-36, 1993.

Exercise, also helps beat Alzheimer's: A 1998 study by researchers at Case Western Reserve Univ. (mentioned above) showed that people who kept active in midlife were far less likely to develop Alzheimer's. Indeed, elderly folk who say they regularly engaged in activities such as running, tennis, racquetball, weight training, ice skating, golf, swimming or biking in their younger years have a lower risk for Alzheimer's. --Report from the 50th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Neurology.

Your health is in your hands,
Suzanne

More on Alzheimer's

Eating Soy Foods May Reduce Alzheimer's Disease Risk

Besides offering protection against high cholesterol and heart disease, eating soy foods may also protect against Alzheimer's. That's what researchers from the Univ. of Alabama, Birmingham, noted recently at a meeting of the American Chemical Society.

In their 3-year experimental study, soy isoflavones were able to reduce protein changes in the brain that are considered markers for the onset of Alzheimer's. Study leader Helen Kim, PhD., says that 2 or 3 servings of soy protein (about 25 grams), which is already known to reduce heart disease risk, may well also be the amount required for inhibiting Alzheimer's onset.

Yes, brothers and sisters, there is something you can do to prevent this devastating disorder. Consider this:

A research study (Archives of Neurology, Feb. 2003), on fats added to the growing evidence that the same type of diet that protects the heart, also benefits the brain. This study led by researcher Martha Clare Morris at Chicago's Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center involved over 800 Chicago residents 65 and older. The group was asked about their eating habits. Followup tests nearly 4 years later found that 131 participants had developed Alzheimer's

Participants who reported consuming large quantities of saturated fats as found in animal-based products including meat and butter, faced double the risk of having Alzheimer's compared with those who ate small amounts. That risk was found for those who ate an average 25 grams of saturated fats daily; one tablespoon of butter has about 7 grams.

Conversely, those who consumed polyunsaturated, and monounsaturated fats as found in vegetables and nuts, faced a 70% reduction in Alzheimer's risk. --adapted from the Riverside, Calif. Press-Enterprise, Feb. 18, 2003.

Suzanne

Stretch Your Mind

Dharma Singh Khalsa, MD, reminds us that "because the brain is flesh and blood, just like your heart, it will respond to things that we can do for it." Dr. Khalsa, president and medical director of the Alzheimer's Prevention Foundation International, says Alzheimer's begins an average of 30 years before the onset of symptoms, and a combination of regular physical and mental exercise can reduce risk of developing the disease by as much as 70%.

He recommends at least 30 minutes of aerobic exercise and weight training 3 to 4 times a week and "brain aerobic exercises" such as discussing current events or other topics you read about, enjoying music, art, or other hobbies; learning a new language or computer skills; shopping by memory; and volunteering.

Other key factors that can extend memory and reverse decline are stress management, a correct diet--plenty of plant foods and healthy fats but little or no saturated fat--and daily preventive supplements, such as a high-potency multivitamin, vitamins C (2,000 mg) and E (400 to 800 IU), C0Q10 (100 mg). Dosages are higher for those already experiencing memory loss. --adapted from GreatLife, December 4, 2004.

Comment: Don't forget a most important factor--the study of the Bible. "The mind occupied with commonplace matters only, becomes dwarfed and enfeebled. If never tasked to comprehend grand and far-reaching truths, it after a time loses the power of growth. As a safeguard against this degeneracy, and a stimulus to development, nothing else can equal the study of God's Word. As a means of intellectual training, the Bible is more effective than any other book, or all other books combined. The greatness of its themes, the dignified simplicity of its uitterances, the beauty of its imagery, quicken and uplift the thoughts as nothing else can. No other study can impart such mental power as does the effort to grasp the stupendous truths of revelation. The mind thus brought in contact with the thoughts of the Infinite cannot but expand and strengthen." --Ellen White, Education, p. 124.

Suzanne

Alzheimer's Disease

In Hawaii, retired men from the ages of 71 to 93 who walked less than a quarter-mile a day were almost twice as likely to develop dementia, including Alzheimer's, as those who walked more than 2 miles daily. Even a little walking helps a lot; among older women, those who walked 1 and a half hours a week did better on mental-function tests than those who did not walk at all. --Journal of the American Medical Association, Sept. 22, 2004.

More and more reserach is showing that exercise is an important factor in preventing Alzheimer's. Isn't it time you started a walking program? Indeed, walking is the best exercise....No it doesn't have to be some kind of gut-busting activity that destroys all your good intentions. Get with it!!!!

Suzanne

This is Serious!

Yes, Alzheimer's Disease is extremely serious. What can we do NOW to prevent this devastating malady as we age. The foregoing research is vital. At the same time Inspiration has much to offer on the subject:

"The mind does not wear out nor break down so often on account of diligent employment and hard study, as on account of eating improper food at improper times, and of careless inattention to the laws of health....Irregular hours for eating and sleeping sap the brain forces. The apostle Paul declares that he who would be successful in reaching a high standard of godliness must be temperate in all things. Eating, drinking, and dressing all have a direct bearing upon our spiritual advancement.

"Health is a blessing which few appreciate....Many eat at all hours, regardless of the laws of health. Then gloom covers the mind. How can men be honored with divine enlightenment when they are so reckless in their habits, so inattentive to the light which God has given in regard to these things....Life is a holy trust, which God alone can enable us to keep, and to use to His glory. But He who formed the wonderful structure of the body will take special care to keep it in order if men do not work at cross-purposes with Him.

"Health, life, and happiness are the result of obedience to physical laws governing our bodies. If our will and way are in accordance with God's will and way; if we do the pleasure of our Creator, He will keep the human organism in good condition, and restore the moral, mental, ahnd physical powers, in order that He may work through us to His glory....If we co-operate with Him in this work health and happiness, peace and usefulness, are the sure result.

"He did not die for us in order that we might become slaves to evil habits, but that we might become the sons and daughters of God, serving Him with every power of the being.

"My dear young friends, advance step by step, until all your habits shall be in harmony with the laws of life and health." --Sons and Daughters of God, by Ellen White.

Comment: It seems that we have it in our power to prevent Alzheimer's and the various other deadly diseases that are wreaking havoc in our land. By the grace and help of the Lord we can and must do our part.

Suzanne

Keep Your Brain Sharp

The brain is like a muscle: Use it or lose it. That's the growing conclusion of research that shows fogged memory and slowed wit are not inevitable consequences of growing old, and there are steps you can take to protect your brain.

Mental exercise is crucial. Benefits start when parents read to their children and depend heavily on education, but scientists say it's never too late to start jogging the gray matter.

People have to get physical, too. Bad memory is linked to heart disease, diabetes and a diet high in fat--all risks people can counter by living healthier lives.

The new research even suggests that these brain protective steps, mental and physical, may be strong enough to help influence who gets Alzheimer's disease. "There are some things that, if you know you have a family history (of Alzheimer's) and you're just 20 to 30 years old, you can start doing to increase your protective factors," said Dr. Amir Soas of Case Western Reserve University Medical School in Cleveland.

It's also good advice for the average baby boomer hoping to stay sharp, or the mom priming her child for a lifelong healthy brain.

Most important: "Read, read, read," Soas said...learn a foreign language or a new hobby. "Anything that stimulates the brain to think," he said. And cut back on TV, he insists. "When you watch television, your brain goes into neutral, " Dr. Soas warns. So much so that Case Western plans to study whether people who contract Alzheimer's watched more TV throughout life than healthy senior.

Case Western scientists also studied 550 people and found those less mentally and physically active in middle age were 3 times more likely to get Alzheimer's as they aged. Particularly protective is increasing intellectual activity during adulthood.

Stressing physical health the researchers found that a healthy brain needs lots of oxygen pumped through healthy arteries. --Source: Riverside Calif. Press-Enterprise, July 25, 2000.

Inspiration gives this choice information:

"...there is nothing more calculated to energize the mind, and strengthen the intellect, than the study of the word of God. No other book is so potent to elevate the thoughts, to give vigor to the faculties, as the broad ennobling truths of the Bible. If God's Word were studied as it should be, men would have a breadth of mind, a nobility of character, and a stability of purpose, that is rarely seen in these times." --Ellen White, Fundamentals of Christian Education, p. 126.

"The mental powers will surely become contracted, and will lose their ability to grasp the deep meanings of the Word of God, unless they are put vigorously and persistently to the task of searching for truth. The mind will enlarge, if it is employed in tracing out the relation of the subjects of the Bible, comparing scripture with scripture, and spiritual things with spiritual. Go below the surface; the richest treasure of thought are waiting for the skilful and diligent student." --Ibid. p. 127.

Suzanne

Study Links Middle-age Fat to Dementia

The most convincing research so far suggests that being fat in your 40s might raise your risk of developing dementia later in life. In a study that followed over 10,000 people for almost 30 years, researchers found that the fatter people were, the greater their risk for Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia.

This adds another major reason for concern about the obesity problem, and it now unfolds yet another area where...we better get cracking, according to Philip James, an obesity expert who heads the International Obesity Task Force.

This latest study comes amid questioning and confusion in the U.S. over the dangers of being overweight...

Funded by the U.S. National Institutes of Health, the newest study was conducted by the Kaiser Permanente Medical Foundation. The project followed over 10,000 people in their early to mid-40s, for an average of 27 years. The scientists examined links between dementia and obesity using 2 different measurements--body-mass index and the thickness of skin folds under the shoulder blades and under the arm.

Adjusting for conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and other factors, the study found a higher risk of dementia for heavy people. Using the body-mass index, which measures height and weight to classify how fat peope are, obese folk were 74% more likely to develop mind-robbing dementia than normal weight people. Overweight people were 35% more likely to develop it.

The effect was more profound for women than men. Obese women were twice as likely as women of normal weight to develop Alzheimer's or other dementia, while for men the risk increased by 30%.

The most impressive aspect of the study, according to Philip James, is that the researchers eliminated the influence of heart disease, diabetes and other conditions that might also figure in. "We really adjusted for everything under the sun that is related to dementia. We brought in stroke, high cholesterol, hypertension, diabetes, heart disease--everything hat has been implicated--and yet we still found this effect," said the study leader, Dr. Rachel Whitmer, gerontological epidemiologist at the Kaiser Permanente Medical Foundation. Source: The online British Medical Journal, April 29, 2005.

Suzanne

Possible Alzheimer's Signpost

Gum inflammation may be linked to increased risk of the brain disorder.

Missing teeth and gum disease at an early age may be linked to an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease, researchers assert, bolstering the increasingly strong connection between early exposure to chronic inflammation and the degenerative brain disorder.

A study examined lifestyle factors of more than 100 pairs of identical twins. All of the pairs included one twin who had developed dementia and one who had not. Because identical twins are genetically indistinguishable, the study involved only risk factors that could be modified to help protect against dementia.

Those twins who had severe periodontal disease before they were 35 years old had a fivefold increase in risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. Indeed, periodontal disease may be a marker for chronic exposure to disease that provokes an inflammatory response. Chronic inflammation can damage tissue, including the brain, which may contribute to the development of the disease.

Periodontal disease is also linked to general health, according to Margaret Gatz, the lead author of the study and a psychology professor at USC.

These findings were presented at the first Alzheimer's Assn. International Conference on Prevention of Dementia in mid June, 2005. Other highlights from the Washington, D.C., conference:

* By measuring a decline in glucose metabolism in the hippocampus, an important memory center in the brain, researchers at New York Univeristy School of Medicine were able to predict the development of Alzheimer's disease with 85% accuracy 9 years before symptoms appeared.

* Drinking fruit and vegetable juices is associated with a reduced risk of Alzheimer's, said researchers the University of South Florida, based on a study of over 1,700 Japanese Americans. Those who drank juice more than 3 times a week had a 75% reduced risk compared with people who drank juice less than once per week.

* A simple blood test measuring the levels of a protein associated with Alzheimer's may be able to determine whether a person develops the disease in the future, according to researchers at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Fla. Study subjects with the lowest levels of the protein had triple the risk of developing Alzheimer's. Source: adapted from the Los Angeles Times, June 27, 2005.

Suzanne

This is Serious!

Here is a statement from Inspiration that should be of interest to all:

"...Continued inactivity is one of the greatest causes of debility of body and feebleness of mind." --Ellen White, Testimonies, Vol. 2:524.

Comment: We all know that we should get out in the fresh air and exercise...do something, walking, jogging, swimming, you name it. Indeed it may be a matter of life and death!

Suzanne

More on Alzheimer's Disease

The next time the boss gives you a complicated project, thank him. Having a mentally demanding job in your 30s, 40s and 50s can protect you from Alzheimer's, according to a study from University Hospitals of Cleveland and Case Western Reserve University.

Researchers examined the work tasks of over 350 people with and without the disease. Those who were Alzheimer's free were more likely to have held careers that required creative thinking, problem solving, or juggling a variety of responsibilities.

The study authors think the daily mental workouts help the brain build more neural connections. Having plenty of connections could help delay the disease's onset, says lead researcher Kathleen Smyth, PhD. --adapted from Prevention, Feb. 2005.

Suzanne

Bonding Over Books

Reading to Alzheimer's patients can help them interact with family and friends--even after verbal exchanges have become difficult. Even in the latter stages of the disease, many patients enjoy having books read to them. Research has shown that listening to familiar music can engage Alzheimer's patients, and listening to books appears to have a similar effect. --New York Times, April 22, 2010.

Suzanne

Think purple and prevent Alzheimer`s Disease, Parkinson`s and Multiple Sclerosis

by John Phillip, citizen journalist

(NaturalNews) The world of natural science is rapidly painting a clear picture that helps us better understand the underlying mechanism behind devastating diseases including Alzheimer`s, Parkinson`s and Multiple Sclerosis. Researchers are revealing that these illnesses develop as a result of poor dietary and lifestyle choices and can be prevented by adopting a raw, organic diet including plenty of purple colored fruits and vegetables.

Study Implicates Unbound Iron with Declining Brain Health
Excess iron in the blood is associated with an increased risk for heart disease and heart attack and new research now highlights the metal with a decline in brain health. The results of a study published in the journal [i]Archives of Toxicology[/b] show that the brain is particularly sensitive to unbound iron that crosses the blood-brain barrier to cause free radical damage as well as toxins known as hydroxyl radicals.

Purple Berries are Excellent Iron Chelators
In order to protect yourself from these damaging iron particles it`s necessary to ensure a healthy intake of binding nutrients known as iron chelators. Purple fruits and vegetables are a particularly potent source of compounds that bind tightly with iron particles to neutralize their effect on the brain. Blueberries, and acai berries and have been cited as excellent foods that help protect the brain.

This study underscores the importance of avoiding red meat due to its source of unbound iron. Most of the iron in red meat is unbound and is freely released into the blood where it can wreak havoc throughout the body. Conversely, vegetarian sources of iron such as leafy greens and spinach are tightly bound with fiber and do not elevate iron levels. The study author noted that the antioxidant effect of vitamin C is negated with high levels of unbound iron and is dramatically improved with a diet high in vegetables and fruits.

Acai Berry Extract Shown to Improve Brain Housekeeping
A significant pathway that leads to declining brain health occurs when the normal cellular housekeeping cycle is disrupted in a process known as autophagy. Researchers from the USDA`s Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging have found that berry extracts can enhance the process of housekeeping in aging adults in part due to their powerful antioxidant properties.

Anthocyanins in the skins of the berry protect against the pro-inflammatory agents including COX-2 and TNF-alpha. The researchers conclude: "these results suggest that acai may contribute to `health span` in aging, as it is able to combat some of the inflammatory and oxidative mediators of aging at the cellular level". Acai berries can be consumed in their natural form, as a concentrated drink or as a supplemented extract.

The purple compounds found in the skins of many fruits and vegetables are important to brain health as they are able to cross the critical blood-brain barrier. Extensive research demonstrates that these chemical structures help to reduce brain inflammation and bind with iron to protect sensitive brain cells. Be certain to include a variety of purple foods to naturally protect your brain and lower your risk from devastating diseases that threaten your ability to walk, learn, think and make new memories.

Article References:
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_relea...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/release...
http://www.nutraingredients-usa.com...
http://www.nutraingredients.com/Res...

Suzanne

This speaks of iron in the context of red meat. Does this not apply to other forms of flesh? (i.e., the problem of iron being unbound only applies to red meat).

B Vitamins Proven To Slow Progression of Dementia, Alzheimer's

by David Gutierrez, staff writer

(NaturalNews) Mega-doses of B vitamins may significantly slow brain shrinkage and slow the progression of dementia, according to a study conducted by researchers from Oxford University and published in the journal PLoS One.

"This is a very dramatic and striking result," lead researcher David Smith said. "It's much more than we could have predicted."

"It is our hope that this simple and safe treatment will delay development of Alzheimer's in many people who suffer from mild memory problems."

Researchers assigned 168 people suffering from mild cognitive impairment to take either a placebo or a pill containing 15 times the recommended daily dose of vitamin B6, four times the recommended dose of B9 and 300 times the recommended dose of B12. These vitamins are known to lower levels of the amino acid homocysteine, which has been linked to Alzheimer's disease.

Approximately 50 percent of people who suffer from mild cognitive impairment eventually develop a more severe form of dementia.

On average, the brains of patients taking the vitamins shrank at half the rate of those taking a placebo. The benefit was most pronounced in patients whose homocysteine levels were high at the start of the study.

An estimated 35 million people around the world suffer from dementia, including 26.6 million with Alzheimer's disease. In the United States, Alzheimer's rates are estimated at 1.2 percent of the general population, climbing to as high as 42 percent of those older than 84.

"Clearly, in the Western World, dementia is not a rare problem," write doctors Abram Hoffer and Harold D. Foster in Feel Better, Live Longer with Vitamin B-3.

"Indeed, R. Katzman and colleagues have argued that in people more than 75 years of age, new cases of dementia occur as frequently as myocardial infarction and twice as often as stroke."

The authors note that Hoffman has been prescribing vitamin B3 to patients who show preliminary signs of age-related cognitive impairment since 1955.

To learn more about how to fight disease with nutrition, read the free NaturalNews.com report "Nutrition Can Save America!" at
http://www.naturalnews.com/report_N....

Sources for this story include: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUS... http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/....

Suzanne

This link is probably not complete as it isn't working:

http://www.naturalnews.com/report_N....

Can this be verified by other sources?

I am really wondering about the above quoted portion.

It's copied from a website and therefore the links only copy across as the visible display part. You'd have to go to the site she's getting the page from to be able to click on it.

From the beginning of the post, it's probably from naturalnews so you could go there and search for the title or author.

Or maybe Suzanne could give a link to her posts?

A sound sleep may be a solid defense against memory loss and Alzheimer's disease

by John Phillip

(NaturalNews) Alzheimer's disease presently ranks as the sixth leading cause of death in the US, as the number of new cases is projected to triple by the year 2050 and affect as many as sixteen million people. The result of a new study presented at the American Academy of Neurology's 64th Annual Meeting has found that the level and duration of quality sleep may later affect memory function and the risk of Alzheimer's disease in later life.

Researchers determined that poor quality sleep is associated with the build-up of neural tangles between synapses that is associated with the loss of ability to form new memories and progression of Alzheimer's dementia. Making time for seven to nine hours of uninterrupted sleep each night may be a crucial factor to Alzheimer's risk reduction as we age.

A Good Night's Sleep Dramatically Lowers Risk of Developing Brain Plaques and Alzheimer's Disease

The lead study author, Dr. Yo-El Ju from the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis noted "Disrupted sleep appears to be associated with the build-up of amyloid plaques, a hallmark marker of Alzheimer's disease, in the brains of people without memory problems". In an effort to determine the link between poor sleep habits and cognitive decline, researchers tested the sleep patterns of 100 people between the ages of 45 and 80 who were free of dementia.

Half of the participants tested had a family history of Alzheimer's disease, while a second control group had no familial history of the disease. A special device used to measure sleep patterns was placed on all participants for a period of two weeks to assess quality and depth of sleep time. Additionally, sleep diaries and questionnaires were employed to further analyze sleep cycles.

The study found that 25% of the subjects tested showed signs of amyloid plaques, a consistent marker of Alzheimer's disease progression. Although the participant's averaged 8 hours of sleep each night, this was reduced to 6.5 hours due to sleep disruptions during the night that affected the total sleep time and quality of deep sleep required by the brain to perform repair functions.

Those who did not wake up frequently during the night were 5 times less likely to possess the amyloid plaque build-up compared to those who slept poorly or less than 7 total hours. Participants who did not sleep well were significantly more likely to exhibit the amyloid markers associated with cognitive decline resulting in Alzheimer's disease.

Although this study did not provide a direct reason for the finding, scientists believe that the amyloid protein clumps and tangles that occur as a normal process of metabolism in the brain are only cleared during quality sleep time and duration of 7 to 9 hours each night. In addition to the myriad of lifestyle and dietary patterns presently known to help prevent most chronic diseases such as Alzheimer's, a good night's sleep in a totally dark room with no interruptions should now be added to the top of the risk reduction list.

Sources for this article include:

http://www.aan.com

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/241729.php

http://www.cbsnews.com

Suzanne

Exercise Reduces Dementia Risk

Any exercise that gets the heart pumping may reduce dementia risk and slow the condition's progress once it begins, according to a study from the Mayo Clinic. The researchers broadly defined exercise as enough aerobic activity to raise the heart rate and increase the body's need for oxygen. Walking, working out in a gym, and chores such as shoveling snow and raking leaves were provided as examples.

"We culled through all the scientific literature we could find on the subject of exercise and cognition, says J. Eric Ahlskog, MD, PhD, a neurologist at the Mayo Clinic. "You can made a very compelling argument for exercise as a disease-modifying strategy to prvent dementia and mild cognitive impairment, and for favorably modifying these processes once they have developed." --Taste for Live, November 2011.

Suzanne

Resveratrol may be the missing link to prevent and even treat Alzheimer's disease

by John Phillip

(NaturalNews) Incidence of Alzheimer's disease cases continue to explode at an unprecedented rate as processed food diets, overweight and obesity become the norm for middle and senior aged adults in the US and most western societies. By the year 2050, it's projected that 13.2 million adults will suffer from this degenerative disease that ranks as the sixth leading cause of death, with many suffering early signs of the condition at earlier ages. Any natural compound that can be shown to prevent or even treat Alzheimer's disease would be a potent therapeutic tool.

Researchers from Georgetown University Medical Center's Memory Disorders Program have embarked on a mission to demonstrate that resveratrol can affect memory deterioration and daily functioning in people with mild to moderate dementia due to Alzheimer's disease. Resveratrol is a natural compound found in red grapes, red grape juice, red wine, chocolate, tomatoes and peanuts. In prior studies, the polyphenol has been shown to help prevent diabetes, act as a natural cancer fighter, ward off cardiovascular disease, and prevent memory loss.

Resveratrol study to confirm the benefits of resveratrol to thwart Alzheimer's disease

As the risk of many chronic conditions increase with aging, resveratrol exhibits unique characteristics as it has been shown to impede telomere shortening and extend natural cell life and activity. Resveratrol has also been shown to improve glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity, two mechanisms known to speed the aging process.

Researchers will examine the direct impact of pure resveratrol supplementation on neural aging and amyloid protein clearance. Recent research has suggested that Alzheimer's disease may result from insulin resistance specifically in the brain, and as resveratrol is known to cross the blood-brain barrier, the compound may prevent faulty insulin signaling that promotes the degenerative condition.

This is the largest and most extensive study of its kind developed to validate the brain health benefits of resveratrol. Researchers will recruit participants from 26 U.S. academic institutions that are affiliated with the Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study around the country. This study is unique because it is designed to demonstrate the impact of a natural compound and not a patentable pharmaceutical drug.

Resveratrol is supplied in small amounts from dietary sources including red grapes, red wine, chocolate and tomatoes. Nutrition experts recommend supplementing with a pure extract (20 to 500 mg per day) for optimal protection against Alzheimer's disease and a myriad of chronic conditions.

Sources for this article include:
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/245346.php
http://www.examiner.com
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2012-05/gumc-gpl050812.php

Suzanne

A workout a day keeps dementia away

by Ben Meredith

(NaturalNews) It's common knowledge that exercise is good for the body. Regular exercise aids in reducing the risk of heart attack and stroke, among other important benefits. New research now shows, though, that exercise can prove to be a very vital factor in the lessening or prevention of cognitive impairment.

Doctors at the University of Lisbon in Portugal organized a study of over 600 participants between the ages of 65 to 84. Each of the participants' brains showed early warning signs of dementia, but none of them had debilitation in their daily lives, and they all lived independently. The researchers followed the subjects over a period of three years. During that time, the participants had their brain scanned on a regular basis. They were assessed on their cognitive ability, and they reported how often and how much they exercised.

The results showed that the participants who reported doing 30 minutes of exercise at least three times per week had about a 40 percent lower risk of developing dementia in comparison to those who reported less activity. During the three years of the study, 90 subjects developed dementia.

"Dementia" is a term that describes multiple types of mental disability. The most common mental disability is Alzheimer's. In this study, the exercise-to-cognitive-function association was strongest for vascular dementia, which is a type of non-Alzheimer's dementia that is caused by inadequate blood flow to the brain. While exercise showed a reduction in the risk for vascular dementia by almost 60 percent, physical activity didn't seem to specifically affect the risk of developing Alzheimer's.

The doctors performing the study also took MRI scans of their subjects to look for changes in the white matter of the participants' brains, which is linked to dementia. All of the participants showed changes of white matter at the beginning of the study in varying degrees. Researchers made sure to take into account other factors that can affect memory and cognitive function, like age, history of stroke, and diabetes. However, they found that even in taking in these other factors, the protective effects of exercise still held.

There were 34 cases in the study whose findings didn't hold. These participants showed signs of Alzheimer's, and in their cases, exercise was not correlated to their rates of mental decline.

It was noted by the professionals that, before starting an exercise program, patients should discuss their plans and get clearance from their doctors. A new exercise program should begin in a gradual manner, especially for those with heart problems. But even if physical activity doesn't delay mental decline, it's still a win-win, as it has many other important health benefits that shouldn't be overlooked.

Sources for this article include:

http://www.medpagetoday.com/Cardiology/Dementia/35685

http://www.cbc.ca

http://www.counselheal.com

Suzanne

Want to save your brain from dementia? Hit the treadmill and pump some weights

by David Gutierrez, staff writer

(NaturalNews) The longest-ever study examining the effect of lifestyle choices on chronic disease has concluded that moderate exercise may be the single most effective way to prevent dementia.

"What the research shows is that following a healthy lifestyle confers surprisingly large benefits to health," lead researcher Peter Elwood said. "Healthy behaviors have a far more beneficial effect than any medical treatment or preventative procedure."

The study, conducted by researcher from the Cardiff University and published in the journal PLOS ONE, followed 2,235 men from south Wales for 35 years, starting in 1979. The men, aged 45 to 49 at the study's start, answered regular questions about their lifestyle and health throughout the study.

The researchers found that five factors were most important in reducing rates of all chronic diseases, including dementia: regular exercise, healthy diet, low body weight, low alcohol intake and not smoking. Compared with people who followed none of these five factors, people who followed any four were 60 percent less likely to suffer from dementia or cognitive decline and 70 percent less likely to suffer from diabetes, heart disease or stroke.

"The size of reduction in the instance of disease owing to these simple healthy steps has really amazed us and is of enormous importance in an ageing population," Elwood said.

Improve your health today

The single biggest connection found was that between exercise and dementia, yet Elwood emphasized that an overall healthy lifestyle is more important than any one component.

"Exercise happens to be the most important but the other factors come in very close behind," he said.

Yet, increasing your physical activity level might be one of the easiest ways to improve your overall health. It takes only 30 minutes of exercise five days a week to reap significant benefits.

"We should all live a more active lifestyle," Elwood said. "If I park my car a mile from work - that makes me likely to do more than the half an hour a day. Any exercise has some benefit and the more, the better."

"Sadly, the evidence from this study shows that very few people follow a fully healthy lifestyle," Elwood said.

The researchers found that, even with reductions in overall smoking rates over the past 35 years, the number of people who qualified as living a healthy lifestyle did not change during the course of the study. This is consistent with recent surveys finding that less than 1 percent of the population of Wales follows all five recommended factors, with 5 percent not following any.

"If the men [in the study] had been urged to adopt just one additional healthy behavior at the start of the study 35 years ago, and if only half of them complied, then during the ensuing 35 years there would have been a 13 percent reduction in dementia, a 12 percent drop in diabetes, 6 percent less vascular disease and a 5 percent reduction in deaths," Elwood said.

The researchers also found that, over the course of the study, unhealthy living was responsible for 10 percent of all healthcare expenditure in Wales.

Dementia is a growing public health concern, expected to affect 135 million people worldwide by 2050.

"We are facing potentially large increases in the numbers of people living with dementia and if we are to deal with this crisis head on we must invest in research," said Rebecca Wood, chief executive of Alzheimer's Research UK.

"It's encouraging for people to know there are simple steps they can take now to reduce their risk," she said.

Sources for this article include:

http://www.bbc.co.uk

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk

http://www.express.co.uk

http://science.naturalnews.com

Suzanne

Exposure to DDT linked to increased risk of Alzheimer's disease in elderly adults

by L.J. Devon, Staff Writer

(NaturalNews) Even after being banned more than 40 years ago, the pesticide DDT continues to affect the lives of people today, beckoning infertility and other deeply concerning health conditions. Researchers are now finding out how the pesticide affects the nervous system. In 1972, when the US banned DDT from commercial production, environmental tests confirmed that this pesticide was harmful to the environment, especially bird habitats.

Now, decades later, this toxic pesticide is being linked to increased risk of Alzheimer's in elderly adults. Researchers at Rutgers University report that DDT increases risk and severity of Alzheimer's disease in patients primarily over the age of 60. The findings, published in the journal JAMA Neurology, showed how DDE, the breakdown compound of DDT, is measured four times higher in the blood of late onset Alzheimer's patients. The study took into consideration only chlorinated compounds and did not assess newer pesticides widely accepted in agriculture today.

DDT lurking in most blood samples today

Introduced as a pesticide during WWII, DDT was applied en masse as agricultural insect control and was even used to fight off insect-borne diseases like malaria. (Africa still uses this pesticide in homes to control insects.) The pesticide is so pervasive that it regularly appears in 75 to 80 percent of the blood samples collected today, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

This may be due to imported fruit that comes from countries that still apply DDT. This may also be because DDT takes many decades to break down in the environment. Traces of WWII-era DDT could be breaking down in people's blood today in the 21st century.

DDT levels measured four times greater in Alzheimer's patients

For the Rutger's study, the Emory University Alzheimer's Disease Research Center and the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School's Alzheimer's Disease Center collaborated, focusing on 86 Alzheimer's patients and 79 control group participants who showed no symptoms of Alzheimer's. When the researchers measured the blood of all participants, they found that 74 out of 86 Alzheimer's patients had DDE blood levels four times greater than control participants!

Their study connected genetics and environmental factors. Alzheimer's patients showing expression of the gene ApoE typically possess greater risk for Alzheimer's; in concordance, the highest measured levels of DDE were correlated with the most severe cognitive impairments in those with ApoE gene expression.

"We need to conduct further research to determine whether this occurs and how the chemical compound interacts with the ApoE4 gene," says Jason R. Richardson, associate professor in the Department of Environmental and Occupational Medicine at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.

DDT pesticide increases nerve cell plaque associated with Alzheimer's

Alzheimer's is characterized by plaque formation between nerve cells, which leads to massive nerve cell die-offs. Increased amyloid protein permits the plaque to form.

In further brain cell studies, the researchers made an association between pesticide DDT and increased amyloid protein accumulation. DDT basically fueled nerve cell plaques in areas of the brain responsible for learning, memory and thinking.

"Much of the research into Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative diseases has mostly been centered on finding genetic connections," Richardson says. "I think these results demonstrate that more attention should be focused on potential environmental contributors and their interaction with genetic susceptibility."

"This study demonstrates that there are additional contributors to Alzheimer's disease that must be examined and that may help identify those at risk of developing Alzheimer's. It is important because when it comes to diagnosing and treating this and other neurodegenerative diseases, the earlier someone is diagnosed, the more options there may be available."

Sources for this article include:

http://news.rutgers.edu

http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org

http://science.naturalnews.com

Suzanne

Natural Flavonol Compound in Fruits and Vegetables Prevents Alzheimer's Disease

by L.J. Devon, Staff Writer

(NaturalNews) Riddled with deposits of a peptide called beta-amyloid, the brain can become consumed with plaque, which builds up in the spaces between nerve cells. When nerve cells begin to die off, symptoms of Alzheimer's disease set in.

Natural flavanol works beyond plaque to restore memory

In areas of the brain where memory is important, tangles of plaque can develop from twisted fibers of tau protein. Alzheimer's, the most common form of dementia, has always been recognized by this plaque buildup, which is associated with problems in thinking, memory and behavior. As a condition that slowly worsens over time, Alzheimer's is ultimately capable of interfering with daily tasks and newly learned information.

New findings suggest that Alzheimer's can be reversed. A new fruit- and vegetable-based treatment could effectively bypass plaque formation and work independently to restore memory in the nerve cells of the brain, turning on specific memory-related pathways.

Nerve cells work together in vast networks

With over 100 billion nerve cells at work in the brain, communicating in vast networks, cellular protection is vital. Nerve cells specialize in some of the most complicated areas of the human experience, including jobs like smell, taste, hearing, learning, thinking,and memory. Operating like miniature factories, nerve cells perform an array of functions, including obtaining necessary supplies, communication, energy generation, information storage and waste removal. Scientists have a hard time pinpointing how Alzheimer's takes hold in a person as they age.

Fisetin improves memory of Alzheimer's-ridden mice

How might specific properties of fruits and vegetables help stop memory loss as seen in Alzheimer's disease?

One flavanol, fisetin, was isolated, studied and put to the test in Alzheimer's-ridden mice. Scientists at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies have discovered that a daily dose of this fruit and vegetable compound can help mice recover their memory.

The fisetin surprised the scientists, showing promise for improving memory even as amyloid plaque formation stayed the same. These accumulations of proteins remained prevalent in Alzheimer's mice and continued gumming up nerve cells even after fisetin was administered, but their memory improved independent of the plaque formations. This new finding suggests that there may be a way to treat Alzheimer's symptoms without combating amyloid plaques.

"Fisetin didn't affect the plaques," says Maher. "It seems to act on other pathways that haven't been seriously investigated in the past as therapeutic targets," says Pamela Maher, a senior staff scientist in Salk's Cellular Neurobiology Laboratory who led the new study.

Over 10 years ago, Maher learned that fisetin helped protect neurons in the brain, after isolating the flavanol in cell cultures and examining its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant prowess in nerve cells. In her research, fisetin was found to turn on a specific cellular pathway that improves memory.

Fisetin working on the molecular level

Working with Dave Schubert, leader of the Cellular Neurobiology Lab, Maher conducted her tests on a group of mice with two gene mutations linked to Alzheimer's.

After feeding the fisetin to the mice at three months old, the researchers began studying how the natural substance affected mice in a variety of learning skills and water mazes.

At just nine months of age, mice receiving no fisetin performed more poorly in the water mazes. These Alzheimer's-destined mice would normally show memory deficits by the first year, but after eating fisetin, they performed just as well as normal mice, at both nine months old and one year of age.

"Even as the disease would have been progressing, the fisetin was able to continue preventing symptoms," Maher says.

To investigate further, Maher collaborated with scientists at the University of California, San Diego, to key in on specific brain molecules. What they found was that fisetin turned on pathways involved in cellular inflammation. Anti-inflammatory molecules were observed in specific areas of the brain involved in memory after pathways were triggered on.

When fisetin was administered, p35 protein was blocked from being cut down into a shorter form. Short versions of the p35 protein are responsible for turning many molecular pathways on and off.

"It may be that compounds like this that have more than one target are most effective at treating Alzheimer's disease," says Maher, "because it's a complex disease where there are a lot of things going wrong."

Sources for this article include:

http://www.salk.edu

http://science.naturalnews.com

Suzanne

New Risk Factor For Alzheimer's Disease Revealed: Are You Getting a Good Night's Sleep?

by John Phillip

(NaturalNews) Extensive research over the past twenty years has repeatedly shown that Alzheimer's dementia is largely the result of a variety of lifestyle factors that promote the development of amyloid plaques and tau proteins in the brain that usher the onset of this dreaded disease. A diet high in processed carbohydrate and sugars, exposure to environmental and household pollutants and lack of physical activity have all been linked with development and progression of the disease. Now scientists have found that poor sleep patterns, as experienced by millions of aging adults, may be a powerful trigger for Alzheimer's disease.

Researchers from Temple University in Philadelphia, PA, reporting the results of their work in the journal, Neurobiology of Aging, have determined that people who experience chronic sleep disturbance, either through their work, insomnia or other reasons, could face an earlier onset of dementia and Alzheimer's. Prior research bodies have concluded that chronic sleep problems can inflame a number of health problems, ranging from cardiovascular disease and depression to cancer and diabetes.

Lack of restful sleep promotes brain tangle formation and early signs of Alzheimer's dementia

Lead study author, Dr. Domenico Pratico commented "The big biological question that we tried to address in this study is whether sleep disturbance is a risk factor to develop Alzheimer's or is it something that manifests with the disease." Using a transgenic mouse model known to simulate human neurological pathologies, the team examined the effects of sleep deprivation to determine the development of the two hallmark signs of Alzheimer's disease: amyloid plaques and tau protein tangles.

Starting their study when the mice were 6 months old, the human equivalent of a 40-year-old, the researchers began an 8-week study. As one group of mice was exposed to 12 hours of light and 12 hours of darkness, another group was exposed to 20 hours of light and 4 hours of darkness, which significantly reduced their sleep time. At the end of the test period, the scientists did not detect any outward behavioral signs of Alzheimer's disease. When they conducted memory tests in the mice however, the group with reduced sleep time demonstrated significant impairment in their working and retention memory, as well as the ability to learn new tasks.

Dr. Pratico noted "We did observe that the sleep disturbance group had a significant increase in the amount of tau protein that became phosphorylated and formed the tangles inside the brain's neuronal cells." Tau protein is an important part of neuronal cell health, so these elevated levels cause a disturbance in normal function. This disruption will eventually impair the brain's ability for learning, forming new memory and other cognitive functions, and contributes to Alzheimer's disease.

The authors concluded "that chronic sleep disturbance is an environmental risk factor for Alzheimer's disease... but the good news is that sleep disturbances can be easily treated, which would hopefully reduce the Alzheimer's risk." It has been well documented that we require 7 to 9 hours of restful, uninterrupted sleep in a fully darkened room each and every night to promote efficient metabolic housekeeping and ward off a number of chronic disease conditions including Alzheimer's dementia.

Sources for this article include:
http://www.neurobiologyofaging.org
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/274188.php
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/03/140317155205.htm

Suzanne

Exercise Halts 'Dementia Gene' From Being Expressed, Keeps Your Brain Healthy

by Jonathan Benson, staff writer

(NaturalNews) Dementia is the sixth-leading cause of death in the U.S. today, and experts say the next generation could see twice as many people suffering from it, particularly in old age. But avoiding the brain-deteriorating disease could be as simple as remembering to exercise just a few times a week, according to a new study, which appears to inhibit the expression of the "dementia gene."

Over the course of 18 months, researchers from the University of Maryland measured the brain sizes of elderly participants who were divided into four groups. The activity levels of each of the participants were gauged in conjunction with whether or not they possessed a gene known as APOE-e4, which has been associated with an increased risk of dementia.

Up to 30 percent of the population possesses this gene, and the research team wanted to see whether or not physical exertion affects its expression. What they found is that those with APOE-e4 who exercised at least three times a week experienced a lesser overall decrease in brain mass, a common sign of dementia, compared to those who engaged in little or no exercise.

"We found that physical activity has the potential to preserve the volume of the hippocampus in those with increased risk for Alzheimer's disease, which means we can possibly delay cognitive decline and the onset of dementia symptoms in these individuals," stated Dr. J. Carson Smith, one of the study's authors. "Physical activity interventions may be especially potent and important for this group."

Don't forget proper nutrition in the fight against dementia

Published in the journal Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, the study provides new insights into the mind-body connection, and the importance of physical exertion in maintaining a healthy brain. Though exercise alone is hardly the best approach, as nutrition is equally if not more important for preserving brain function, it is vital for maintaining good health, especially in old age.

"We do not yet have the level of exercise needed to justify this approach specifically for Alzheimer's prevention," added Dr. Smith, as quoted by the UK's Daily Mail. "[B]ut exercise certainly cannot harm, so should be prescribed regardless."

To go along with this, avoiding certain foods and chemical exposures and embracing better dietary and lifestyle habits will duly help in the fight against dementia....

Sources for this article include:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk

https://www.alz.org

http://wellnessmama.com

http://www.psychologytoday.com

http://science.naturalnews.com

Suzanne

Could The Key To Alzheimer's Disease Prevention Be As Simple As Eating Strawberries?

by John Phillip

(NaturalNews) Two decades of dedicated research has clearly revealed that dementia and specifically the dreaded diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease can be prevented or even halted by making lifestyle modifications toward a natural food diet that excludes processed and refined junk foods as well as following a regular exercise regimen and limiting exposure to personal cosmetics and environmental toxins. While this sounds like a tall order for many, slow but steady progress toward a more natural lifestyle can be beneficial to many individuals who may be headed toward a host of chronic diseases associated with aging including Alzheimer's. An extensive body of research over the past five to ten years has validated certain natural compounds found in fruits and vegetables, specifically the delicious strawberry.

Researchers from the Salk Institute for Biological Studies has found that fisetin, a flavanol found in strawberries, mangoes, cucumber and other fruits and vegetables, may protect the brain against Alzheimer's, dementia and age-related memory loss. Publishing in the journal Aging Cell, scientists were able to show, using experiments on mice that normally develop Alzheimer's symptoms less than a year after birth, that a daily dose of fisetin prevents the progressive memory and learning impairments commonly associated with the disease.

Fisetin from fruits and vegetables calms brain inflammation to prevent Alzheimer's symptoms

Senior staff scientist Dr. Pamela Maher commented, "We had already shown that in normal animals, fisetin can improve memory. What we showed here is that it also can have an effect on animals prone to Alzheimer's."

Interestingly, the researchers determined that fisetin did not alter the formation of amyloid plaques in the brain, accumulations of proteins which are commonly blamed for Alzheimer's disease. The new finding suggests a way to treat Alzheimer's symptoms independent of targeting amyloid plaques.

The study team found that, in the brains of mice genetically modified to develop Alzheimer's, pathways associated with inflammation at the cellular level were activated. But in the brains of fisetin-treated mice, the scientists identified anti-inflammatory molecules that quieted the inflammation. In particular, scientists determined that fisetin affected a protein known as p35 that has been implicated in turning on inflammatory pathways. Dr. Maher noted, "What we realized is that fisetin has a number of properties that we thought might be beneficial when it comes to Alzheimer's. ... Even as the disease would have been progressing, the fisetin was able to continue preventing symptoms."

It is important to note that fisetin was found to help prevent Alzheimer's progression, and no determination was made that the compound can reverse the disease after it has initiated. As with many chronic disease processes, lifestyle modification is a critical component to prevention. Dr. Maher concluded, "It may be that compounds like this that have more than one target are most effective at treating Alzheimer's disease, because it's a complex disease where there are a lot of things going wrong."

Regular consumption of strawberries and cucumbers and other natural fruits and vegetables can provide a sufficient dose of fisetin to help fight inflammation-mediated diseases including Alzheimer's dementia.

Sources for this article include:

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com

http://www.sciencedaily.com

http://science.naturalnews.com

Suzanne

Smell the Peanut Butter

What it Detects: Alzheimer's Disease.

How it Works: Alzheimer's typically affects our sense of smell because the area of the brain that processes odors, the olfactory cortex, is the first to show signs of dysfunction. (Memory problems come later.) That's why a researcher at the University of Florida, developed the peanut butter test, the results of which are published in the Journal of the Neurological Sciences.

Normal aging can affect our sense of smell, but peanut butter isn't an odor usually lost with time, according to researchers, making it a good tool for evaluating early Alzheimer's. In the study, they measured the distance at which participants could smell peanut butter through the left nostril compared with the right. Those with early Alzheimer's could not detect the smell until it was an average of almost 5 inches to the left nostril compared with the right.

While it is difficult to perform the test by yourself, you will need a partner. Close your eyes ask your partner to held a small jar of peanut butter 12 inches away from your left nostril while you hold your right nostril closed. Slowly move the jar closer until you are able to detect the smell. Now test your right nostril. You should be able to smell the peanut butter equally well in both nostril. If you can't, see your doctor to rule out treatable conditions that affect smell. AARP The Magazine



Suzanne

Dietary and Lifestyle Changes Can Reverse Memory Loss In Alzheimer's, Study Proves

by PF Louis

(NaturalNews) A recent clinical trial was jointly conducted by the UCLA Mary S. Easton Center for Alzheimer's Disease Research, located in Los Angeles, CA, and the Buck Institute for Research on Aging in Novato, CA, 30 miles north of San Francisco. Those two combined resources to try a new approach for Alzheimer's patients that combined several protocols according to individual needs.

Their purpose was to prove that dietary and lifestyle changes could reverse or reduce memory and cognitive dysfunction, even Alzheimer's, with minimal pharmaceutical intervention. The researchers tried bundles of mostly dietary changes, supplements and exercise routines on 10 trial participants who were suffering with various stages of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other symptoms of dementia.

Since first being identified some 100 years ago, cases of Alzheimer's have risen exponentially to become the sixth leading cause of death. At least that's according to the CDC. But one wonders if there is a blurred distinction between cause of death from Alzheimer's or simply death with Alzheimer's, as pneumonia is usually involved.

Even if one physically survives long after Alzheimer's has become so advanced that one no longer knows one's family or has any memory of his or her personal history or can barely function and often functions inappropriately, that person has become a total invalid. The prevailing actual medical causes of Alzheimer's patients is pneumonia.

After 100 years, mainstream medicine has no safe pharmaceutical solutions for Alzheimer's victims, who number over 5 million in the USA. The FDA has approved five drugs for treating Alzheimer's, but not one drug has been successful at even slowing AD's progress. The usual therapeutic approach for Alzheimer's has been combining several drugs simultaneously, which creates a cascade of side effects without curing the AD.


The trial used a flexible 36-point therapeutic system

The trial's report was published in the online journal Aging. Dale Bredesen, professor of neurology and director of the Easton Center at UCLA, developed the 36-point therapy that was tested in this clinical trial.

He explained how each patient needed to have the program suited to his or her special needs, general health and physiology. But usually the maximum pharmaceutical use was one drug only that could be reduced to none as long as the FDA, AMA and Big Pharma aren't looking. Perhaps that minimal drug use was to stay within "standard of care" guidelines and avoid the wrath of the AMA.

The results were more favorable than any pharmaceutical trial study, and no one died. Only one patient didn't improve. That was a person with advanced Alzheimer's. A few who were no longer able to work returned to work fully functional.

The problem with this approach within the medical monopoly prescription-writing one-size-fits-all mindset is the fact that it's complex and needs to be personalized and monitored closely. Dr. Bredesen can't clone himself.


Coconut oil

Coconut oil is legal everywhere, and it's cheap. Coconut oil's efficacy for even advanced Alzheimer's was discovered by Dr. Mary Newport when she missed out on getting her husband into the latest drug trial for Alzheimer's drugs.

Mary realized that the crux of the new synthetic drug dealt with medium chain triglycerides (MCTs). MCTs are easily converted by the liver into ketones, which can be used by a brain struggling with oxygen for energy.

She discovered that coconut oil contained high amounts of MCTs and began feeding her husband 2 to 4 tablespoons daily. His late-stage Alzheimer's soon improved considerably.

http://www.alz.org [PDF]

http://www.newswise.com

http://www.naturalnews.com

http://www.naturalnews.com

http://science.naturalnews.com

Suzanne

New study shows these common over-the-counter drugs linked to Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia

by Kali Sinclair

(NaturalNews) A new study clearly shows common over-the-counter medications widely used for asthma, allergies, and insomnia increase the risk for dementia. The study also found that the risk may not be reversible, even after several years off of these medications.

The drugs studied are anticholinergic drugs, which block a neurotransmitter, acetylcholine, in the central and the peripheral nervous system. These drugs are available over-the-counter and through prescriptions. Many are used on a regular, long-term basis to treat a variety of medical complaints including:

* allergies and allergic reactions
* motion sickness
* irritable bowel syndrome
* insomnia
* colds
* ulcers
* asthma
* excessive sweating
* COPD
* urinary incontinence
* depression
* smoking cessation
* cough suppressant
* muscle relaxer
* Parkinson's disease

These drugs include:

* Zyban
* Wellbutrin
* Dramamine
* Cogentin
* Chlor-Trimeton
* Benadryl
* Sominex
* Advil PM
* Unisom
* Robinul
* Atarax
* Atrovent
* Oxivent

The study showed the risk of dementia rises when these anticholinergic medications are used at higher doses or for longer periods. It is not unusual to find these drugs used in combination, especially with the elderly population. For instance, one individual may be using a sleep aid, an allergy medication, and a medication for depression. If all of these drugs are anticholinergic drugs, the accumulative effect increases exponentially, raising the risk of dementia.

Earlier studies had shown these medications increased the risk of dementia; however, these studies also concluded cognitive decline decreased when these drugs were discontinued. The new study, a more longitudinal study, suggests that years after continuation, the risk of dementia remains higher for people who have used more of these drugs or used them for a longer period of time, suggesting a cause and effect even when the drugs were discontinued years prior to the development of dementia.

The study showed that even low amounts over long periods of time increased the risk of dementia. While the study focused on older adults, what about children and young adults? How many children and younger adults are regularly taking anticholinergic over-the-counter or prescription medications for allergies or asthma? How many adults of all ages are taking anticholinergic over-the-counter or prescription sleep aids?

This should be a wake up call for all of us to remember that medications treat symptoms, not the cause of disease. To get well, to be truly well, we must give the body the nutrients it needs to heal. We must detox. We must live lives that are as clean as possible: clean food, clean water, clean environment. It has been made clear over and over that we cannot trust pharmaceutical companies! If you have been taking any pharmaceuticals, it's time to detox. Start with this Cheap and Easy Detox Plan and consider following the 80% Raw Food Diet.

Sources:

http://www.medscape.com

http://www.sciencedaily.com

The study: Shelly L. Gray, Melissa L. Anderson, Sascha Dublin, Joseph T. Hanlon, Rebecca Hubbard, Rod Walker, Onchee Yu, Paul K. Crane, Eric B. Larson.Cumulative Use of Strong Anticholinergics and Incident Dementia.JAMA Internal Medicine, 2015; DOI:10.1001/jamainternmed.2014.7663

Suzanne

Curcumin Eradicates Brain Protein Fragments To Fight Alzheimer's Disease

by Julie Wilson staff writer

(NaturalNews) A debilitating disease that causes difficulty remembering recent conversations, names or events, Alzheimer's, is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States, affecting more than 5 million Americans.

Women are particularly at risk for the disease, making up two-thirds of Alzheimer's cases. Women in their 60s are about twice as likely to develop Alzheimer's disease during the rest of their lives as they are to develop breast cancer, according to data provided by the Alzheimer's Association.

Also at issue is the health of the primary caregivers of those with Alzheimer's and dementia. The emotional stress of caring for someone with the disease has been rated as "high" or "very high," with one-third of caregivers reporting symptoms of depression.

In just a decade, deaths related to Alzheimer's have increased by 68 percent! "Alzheimer's disease is the only cause of death among the top 10 in America that cannot be prevented, cured or even slowed," the Alzheimer's Association reported.

In the U.S., someone develops Alzheimer's disease every 67 seconds

However, recent scientific breakthroughs involving turmeric, a popular, ancient Indian spice, offers new hope for those affected by Alzheimer's disease. Curcumin, one of turmeric's most beneficial compounds, has been proven to fight pain and inflammation, as well as help stimulate stem cell growth, a remarkable breakthrough for Alzheimer's and dementia research.

Researchers now believe that turmeric could be key in helping repair brain damage in humans.

"Curcumin has demonstrated ability to enter the brain, bind and destroy the beta-amyloid plaques present in Alzheimer's with reduced toxicity," said Wellington Pham, Ph.D., assistant professor of Radiology and Radiological Sciences and Biomedical Engineering at Vanderbilt University and senior author of the study, published recently in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease.

"Accumulation and aggregation of protein fragments, known as beta-amyloid, drives the irreversible loss of neurons in Alzheimer's disease," reports News.Vanderbilt.edu.

"Developing small molecules to reduce this accumulation or promote its demolition is crucial, but the ability of these small molecules to cross the blood-brain barrier has been a restricting factor for drug delivery into the brain."

Scientists develop new way to deliver turmeric compounds across blood brain barrier

In order to overcome this obstacle, Pham and his colleagues at Shiga University of Medical Science in Otsu, Japan, came up with a new way to deliver curcumin-like molecules to the brain more effectively.

"One of the difficulties in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease is how to deliver drugs across the blood brain barrier," Pham explained.

"Our body has designed this barrier to protect the brain from any toxic molecules that can cross into the brain and harm neurons," he said. "But it is also a natural barrier for molecules designed for disease-modifying therapy."

Delivering drugs to the cortex and hippocampus is much more efficient using a curcumin aerosol compared to injecting it intravenously, scientists say

To circumvent the problems with giving the drug intravenously, Japanese scientists created an atomizer to generate a curcumin aerosol, using a molecule similar to curcumin called FMeC1.

"The advantage of the FMeC1 is that it is a perfluoro compound, which can be tracked by the biodistribution in the brain noninvasively using magnetic resonance imaging," Pham said. "Curcumin is a very simple chemical structure, so it is not expensive to generate the analog.

"In this way the drug can be breathed in and delivered to the brain," said Pham, adding that nebulizers are already available on the market and are relatively inexpensive.

"In this paper we also showed that delivery to the cortex and hippocampal areas is more efficient using aerosolized curcumin than intravenous injection in a transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's disease," concluded Pham and his team.

Sources:

http://news.vanderbilt.edu

http://www.alz.org

http://www.naturalnews.com

http://www.naturalnews.com

http://www.ninds.nih.gov

http://science.naturalnews

-Suzanne-

Blueberries Shown To Boost Brain Activity In Advanced Alzheimer's Patients

by S. Johnson

(NaturalNews) Chock full of antioxidants, blueberries are touted as a superfood that can ward off heart disease and cancer. Adding to the list of potential health benefits, a recent study found that blueberries can help provide protection against Alzheimer's disease.

The researchers presented their findings at the National Meeting & Exposition of the American Chemical Society (ACS). The ACS is the world's largest scientific society. There will be approximately 12,500 presentations on a vast range of science-related topics at this year's meeting.

"Our new findings corroborate those of previous animal studies and preliminary human studies, adding further support to the notion that blueberries can have a real benefit in improving memory and cognitive function in some older adults," said the leader of the research project, Robert Krikorian, Ph.D.

Krikorian attributed the medicinal benefits of blueberries to a flavonoid known as anthocyanins, which has been shown to improve cognition in animals.

A growing problem

An estimated 5.2 million people are afflicted with Alzheimer's disease. That number is expected to grow along with the rest of the US population. The Alzheimer's Association warns that the number of Americans with Alzheimer's disease is expected to swell to 7 million people by 2025, and possibly triple by 2050.

In an attempt to unlock ways to slow the progression of the disease, Krikorian and his team conducted two new studies that investigated the medicinal impact that blueberries had on cognitive performance. The first study consisted of 47 adults aged 68 years or older who were beginning to show symptoms of Alzheimer's disease.

The researchers conducted a test and brain scan on each patient. They then gave some of the participants the equivalent of a single cup of berries in a freeze-dried powder form, and the other participants a placebo. The study lasted 16 weeks.

"There was improvement in cognitive performance and brain function in those who had the blueberry powder compared with those who took the placebo," Krikorian noted in a press release. "The blueberry group demonstrated improved memory and improved access to words and concepts," he added. The researchers also conducted functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), which revealed a spike in brain activity among participants who were fed the blueberry powder.

The second study consisted of 94 people aged 62 to 80 who were divided into four groups. No objective, third-person measures showed that the patients were suffering from cognitive issues; however, the participants reported that their memories were on the decline. The researchers believed the second group had better cognitive health than the first group, but this was not verified using third-person measures. The groups were given blueberry powder, fish oil, fish oil with powder or a placebo.

"The results were not as robust as with the first study," Krikorian noted. "Cognition was somewhat better for those with powder or fish oil separately, but there was little improvement with memory." In addition, fMRI results did not show a significant spike in brain activity among the blueberry power group. Krikorian speculated the blueberries were not as effective because participants' had less severe cognitive problems entering the study.

Eat more blueberries

Krikorian said that the results of the two studies suggest that blueberries may be more effective for people with advanced cognitive issues but may not show measurable results for patients with minor memory problems.

In the future, the researchers plan to conduct a blueberry study on younger people aged 50 to 65. The group will consist of people who have an increased risk of developing Alzheimer's, including those who are obese, have high blood pressure or high cholesterol. It's hoped that the work will shed light on whether blueberries can help stymie Alzheimer's symptoms before they begin.

To learn more about how you can transform your health for the better through healthy eating habits, check out this year's fifth annual Food Revolution Summit, featuring 24 of the top healthy food experts on the plant. Click here to reserve your spot for this FREE online event today!

Sources include:

Telegraph.co.uk

FreshPlaza.com

Business-Standard.com

EurekAlert.org

Science.NaturalNews.com

NaturalNews.com

-Suzanne-