Alzheimer’s Disease: Bottom Line Information You Can Use

Dementia is an overall term used to describe the problems that people with various brain disorders or damage can have with their memory, language and thinking. Alzheimer’s disease is the best-known and most common disorder under the umbrella of dementia.

Alzheimer’s disease is proving to be the most expensive disease to manage says the US based Alzheimer’s Association. It exceeds the cost for cancer or heart disease. The cost is both that of the government and to the family of the person diagnosed. Why? Simply put, the disease last for many years, the person is able to participate less and less in their care, often times 24 hour care is needed.

• In the US someone is diagnosed every 67 seconds
• 1 in 3 seniors will be diagnosed
• Women are more often diagnosed
• 60% of the caregivers are women
• Aging is a key factor
• If you have diabetes, you are three times more likely to develop Alzheimer’s
• Women that breast feed babies have lower rates.

The US Virgin Islands has enacted legislation that outlines a plan of care for those diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Services to deal with elder abuse are part of the plan along with the physical, emotional and dietary care. (I do have a copy of the plan)

Barbados, Cayman, Bahamas and Aruba are among other Caribbean destinations having an Alzheimer’s Association and are actively developing and supporting programs for families and caregivers.

The cause of Alzheimer’s disease isn’t clear. Some have suggested that metals, such asmetal fillings and aluminum, play a role in Alzheimer’s disease. Current research suggests that a specific class of proteins may be responsible for making the protein plaque and tangles, toxic to the brain, which causes the onset of the disease. They interfere with critical chemical and electrical activities between nerve cells that prevent establishing short-term memories initially, and later promote decline, brain shrinkage and ultimately death.

Newly diagnosed cases of Alzheimer’s dementia have steadily skyrocketed over the past half-century, suspiciously coinciding with the rise in meals consumed in fast food restaurants and the marketing of convenience products that consist largely of saturated and hydrogenated fats along with refined carbohydrates. It is no coincidence that the two events are closely related, as more scientific evidence continues to explain how this dreaded disease is largely the result of dietary habits.

A diet high in saturated fat can quickly rob the brain of a key chemical that helps protect against Alzheimer’s disease. Avoid any fats cooked at high temperatures in favor of oils like olive oil, avocado oil and coconut oil. This dietary action can dramatically lower the risk of succumbing to Alzheimer’s dementia.

Eliminate dietary sugars, and the artificial sweetener aspartame as they have been identified as a possible dietary cause of Alzheimer’s disease.

The Clock Test is a test that can be administered at home and can be applied any place in the world. The test is to ask the person to draw the face of clock. Those with Alzheimer’s will not be able to place the hands, numbers and face in the appropriate places. Here is the test of a man who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and started of daily doses of coconut oil. You can see the improvement over time. It does take time. Watch the video on You Tube and see the progress of Dr. Mary Newport’s husband’s recovery.

Researchers identified key genes and signaling networks regulated by vitamin D3 and the omega-3 fatty acid DHA that may help control inflammation and improve plaque clearance.

Preliminary research has discovered that goji guards against the formation of specific compounds typically found in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients. These findings suggest that goji just might help prevent this memory-robbing disease. Whether straight up raw, juiced, brewed as tea or in tincture form, this small bright red berry offers a wealth of health enhancing nutrition.

One particularly promising spice is turmeric; one of its components, curcumin is strongly anti-inflammatory. Elderly villagers in India have one of the world’s lowest rates of Alzheimer’s; the reason may be the turmeric that they consume in their daily curries.

There are preventative steps that can be taken now by to delay or prevent the onset of Alzheimer’s as well as starting a proactive program with someone already diagnosed. It is never too late. There is room for improvement.