Prevent or Delay Alzheimers Disease

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

Copyright, 2002, Phyllis Staff 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. Visit the author's web site at http://www.thebestisyet.net.

pando19@yahoo.com

More Resources

Stair Lift Buying Guide
There is no doubt that having a stair lift in your home can dramatically improve your quality of life. If you are starting to find that climbing the stairs is becoming a hazardous experience, or just hard work, then a stair lift could be the answer.
Malls Converted to Senior Housing
Online shopping has been a big winner as a result of the COVID crisis, spiking by triple digit percentages on a year-to-year basis, says the Association of Mature American Citizens [AMAC]. But it's had a harmful effect on physical shopping destinations and across the country malls are taking a beating.
Whos Gonna Take Care of You When Youre Old?
I finally went to the doctor this morning for my bad cold. My appointment was for 9:30 am and yet I didn't get home until after 1:00 pm.
Helping Caregivers Get Comfortable Asking For Help
Becoming a care giver might not have been a conscious decision on your part. It may have arrived quietly and unnoticed because you are the adult child of your elderly parents who now require care or you may have a special needs child that exacts your constant attention or a friend or spouse has become very ill and needs your support.
Paying For Elder Care Just Got Easier
It's not a surprise that thousands of families across the nation are facing the challlenges of an aging population. The "sandwich" generation, those who are caring for their children as well as their parents, have been feeling the financial pinch of caring for loved ones.
10 Tips to Keep a Family Caregiver from Losing Their Mind
Caring full time for a loved one can be a challenging task, and it takes a special person to get the job done right. Patience and compassion are the two top qualities a caregiver must possess in order to be successful.
Arizona Senior Housing: Care Options for Seniors Who Can No Longer Live Alone
The following are a few of the care options available for seniors who can no longer live on their own and require assistance with their Activities of Daily Living (ADL), or require skilled nursing care. Every state is a little different in terms of availability and cost, state regulations, and the specific names used for each care option:Assisted Living Home- A facility consisting of 10 or fewer residents in a private home setting located in residential neighborhoods.
Skilled Nursing Homes - What Are They?
A skilled nursing home is a medical facility providing services similar to a hospital. The homes are staffed with licensed nurses, shared rooms, hospital beds, regular scheduled doctor rounds, meals and housekeeping.
Senior Care for Alzheimer's
As a person ages, a certain amount of memory loss and confusion is quite normal. Personally, I've been known to invoke the cliché, "The older I get, the better I was!" Unfortunately, Alzheimer's disease represents a more serious loss of mental sharpness and calls for special care for seniors.
What You Need to Know About Helping Senior Citizens
IntroductionThe baby boomers is the population which haven taken birth after second world war till 1965 when there was a tremendous increase in birth rate due to the social and economic development in the USA. Now this population is going into the old age and thus bringing a burden to the nation as the country has to take care of not only the food and shelter but also the medical care.
There's a Deficit of Knowledge About Social Security
There is a knowledge deficit among those who are approaching the age at which they become eligible for Social Security, says senior advocate Dan Weber.
Feeling Lonely?
Q: I hate Alzheimer's disease, not only has it robbed me of my husband, but it has taken my life too! I feel like all of my friends have disappeared. I am lonely, and that makes me feel guilty.
Honey, Where Are The Car Keys?
Q: My mother is always losing, hiding and hoarding things, I am losing my mind! What can I do to get her to stop?A: This is a great question and I have a lot of material to work with.My grand mother had made me the most beautiful doilies.
Ask Rusty - Divorced Multiple Times
Dear Rusty: Reading your current letter regarding Social Security benefits for ex-spouses, I pose this question: Would an individual who has had multiple marriages be entitled to distributions of Social Security for each of his or her marriages? Assisted Living: Tips on How to Choose a Facility
It is easy to be fooled by fancy drapery or expensive furniture that may decorate a care facility. Even though a facility looks high class doesn't always mean the care provided is first class.
Respiratory Help Is Available For Seniors With COPD
As HMOs Continue to Drop Coverage for Seniors - Now Over 500,000 Victims - Those Needing Expensive Respiratory Medication, Support and Homecare Services are the Hardest HitOne Patient Advocate, Geriatric Services of America, is Providing Relief to Victimized Patients Through a Unique, Often No-Cost ProgramMore than 536,000 US senior citizens are scrambling to find new doctors or new coverage because their health plans terminated their Medicare managed-care services, according to a Nonrenewal Report issued by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for the year 2002. Among the hardest hit are seniors in California (84,000), Florida (59,000), Pennsylvania (55,000), New Jersey (53,000), Texas (46,000), and Michigan (31,000), who will be losing coverage in the coming year.
Feeling Lonely?
Q: I hate Alzheimer's disease, not only has it robbed me of my husband, but it has taken my life too! I feel like all of my friends have disappeared. I am lonely, and that makes me feel guilty.
Local Businesses Serving Seniors Prove Commitment to Quality Care
Good news! You no longer have to risk chance when it comes to selecting a reputable elder care service for yourself or for a loved one. Senior Approved Services has certified a select number of businesses in our area serving the elderly and disabled populations.
Long Term In-home Care Options
Are you worried that you may lose all your life's earnings and nest egg due to the rising costs of in-home long term care? As you get older do you have the necessary finances to protect yourself from going broke while slightly incapacitated? Many seniors are worried about are worried about the costs of long-term health care.Are you worried that if something happens to you, that you may run out of money and burn thru their reserves and all your nest egg.
Prepare to Make Long-term Care Choices
Several months ago, I was coming out of a gas station when a woman stopped me and asked me what I did for a living. On the back of our van is our web address.
>

More Elder Care Information:

Related Articles

Retiring Abroad and Leaving the Grey Skies of the UK
Retiring abroad needs careful planning. Not all countries have the same entitlement to benefits as the UK and your tax liability may be affected.
5 Myths You Should Know Before Choosing Elder Care
Myths associated with selecting quality nursing home care suggest quick and easy ways to identify quality care. In fact, relying on these myths can lead to disastrous results.
Hinged Rail Stair Lifts
If a door at the top or the bottom of the stairs may be blocked by the rail of the stairlift, there are a number of models designed to overcome this problem. Some manufacturers are able to produce a rail with reduced overhang upstairs, so the lift will not protrude as far into the hallway.
Assisted Living: Tips on How to Choose a Facility
It is easy to be fooled by fancy drapery or expensive furniture that may decorate a care facility. Even though a facility looks high class doesn't always mean the care provided is first class.
Helping Caregivers Get Comfortable Asking For Help
Becoming a care giver might not have been a conscious decision on your part. It may have arrived quietly and unnoticed because you are the adult child of your elderly parents who now require care or you may have a special needs child that exacts your constant attention or a friend or spouse has become very ill and needs your support.
Arizona Assisted Living Homes -- The Alternative to High Priced Senior Care
The cost of skilled nursing care is slowly rising. Currently, the average cost of care in Arizona ranges from $3,500 to $4,500 per month.
What About Tennesse Dept. of Human Services Abuse of the Elderly and Their Families?
PART I: Physical Abuse of the Elderly vs. Tennessee DHS Abuse of FamiliesDuring the week of October 26, 2003, newspapers across the state of Tennessee published an Associated Press story that featured the glaring news headline, "Reports of neglect and abuse of senior citizens up 40% in six years.
When Assistance with Long Term Care Becomes Necessary
According to the Administration on Aging, it is estimated by 2030, the older population will more than double to approximately 71.5 million.
Ask Rusty - Divorced Multiple Times
Dear Rusty: Reading your current letter regarding Social Security benefits for ex-spouses, I pose this question: Would an individual who has had multiple marriages be entitled to distributions of Social Security for each of his or her marriages? Short Trips Can Stimulate Alzheimers Patients
Severe degradation of short-term memory means that my father, an Alzheimer's elder, is seldom interested in movies or books. And, although music used to be a source of enjoyment, he no longer listens with pleasure.
Just Give Them a Lot of Love and You'll be Fine
It was right about this time, 19 years ago. My wife and I were sitting in the very last Lamaze birthing class, soon to be brand new parents.
Malls Converted to Senior Housing
Online shopping has been a big winner as a result of the COVID crisis, spiking by triple digit percentages on a year-to-year basis, says the Association of Mature American Citizens [AMAC]. But it's had a harmful effect on physical shopping destinations and across the country malls are taking a beating.
Senior Care for Alzheimer's
As a person ages, a certain amount of memory loss and confusion is quite normal. Personally, I've been known to invoke the cliché, "The older I get, the better I was!" Unfortunately, Alzheimer's disease represents a more serious loss of mental sharpness and calls for special care for seniors.
There's a Deficit of Knowledge About Social Security
There is a knowledge deficit among those who are approaching the age at which they become eligible for Social Security, says senior advocate Dan Weber.
Prevent or Delay Alzheimers Disease
Argh! Where are my glasses? I put them down . .
Paying For Elder Care Just Got Easier
It's not a surprise that thousands of families across the nation are facing the challlenges of an aging population. The "sandwich" generation, those who are caring for their children as well as their parents, have been feeling the financial pinch of caring for loved ones.
Whos Gonna Take Care of You When Youre Old?
I finally went to the doctor this morning for my bad cold. My appointment was for 9:30 am and yet I didn't get home until after 1:00 pm.
Marketing, Selling, and Serving the Older Adult, Senior Citizens, Family Caregivers
Are your clients pleased by the fine quality service that you provide? Validating your clients' endorsement of you through Certification as a Senior Approved Service will increase your client base. Senior Approved Certification leads a family towards a service like yours side stepping the possibility of connecting with a less than desirable service.
Long Term In-home Care Options
Are you worried that you may lose all your life's earnings and nest egg due to the rising costs of in-home long term care? As you get older do you have the necessary finances to protect yourself from going broke while slightly incapacitated? Many seniors are worried about are worried about the costs of long-term health care.Are you worried that if something happens to you, that you may run out of money and burn thru their reserves and all your nest egg.
Solitary Confinement -- for Life
Sixty-five year old Arthur Jones served a self-imposed life sentence - in his own home.Arthur lived in a high crime neighborhood, so he built iron cages around his outside doors and installed bars on all the windows.
>