Preventing Alzheimers with Lifestyle Changes

Between 2.4 and 4.5 million Americans suffer from Alzheimer's Disease (AD). Alzheimer's is a gradual and progressive disease that impairs cognitive functioning and leads to dementia. Although it may begin with symptoms of forgetfulness, eventually the individual can no longer live independently, remember how to do simple tasks of everyday living, or remember their loved ones. It is not only hard on the victims but everyone surrounding them too.

Although researchers understand how the brain changes in people with Alzheimer's disease, they do not understand what causes these changes to occur in the brain. Alzheimer's is a degenerative disease of the brain characterized by plaques and tangles in the brain.

Plaques consist of amyloid beta protien that clumps together between nerve cells. In a healthy brain, the immune systems cleans out the amyloid beta protien. However, in Alzheimers, the amyloid beta protien clumps become hard and insoluble.

On the other hand, tangles consist of another protien called tau. The tau forms a microtubule within the nerve cells. The microtubule transports nutrients and other substances from one nerve cell to another. However, for reasons unknown, in Alzheimers, the tau protien is abnormal, and the microtubule collapses.

The brain contains over 100 billion neurons which connect at more than 100 trillion points. Called the neuron forest, this network of neurons is what is affected in Alzheimers. Thoughts, memories, and feelings move through this neuron forest and connect to other neurons through a chemical transmitter called a neurotransmitter. Alzheimers disrupts the the ability of neurotrasmitters to transport nerve signals throughout the network. Through time, the nerve cells die, brain tissue shrinks, and cognitive abillities erode until the person with Alzheimers can no longer function independently.

Researchers now believe you can prevent or at least slow down Alzheimers. To prevent Alzheimer's disease, you have to look at the risk factors, and the ones within your control. Considering this, what are the preventable risk factors.

• Smoking - If you smoke after the age of 65, your risk of Alzheimers increases by 79%. Quitting smoking can reduce your risk.
• Obesity - If you're middle-aged and obese, your risk of Alzheimers increases three and a half times. Losing weight can help lower your risk.
• Diabetes - Diabetes increases your risk of Alzheimers by twofold. If you're a diabetic, try to lower your blood sugar levels.
• Stress - Chronic stress can increase your risk of Alzheimers by four times and speed the progression of the disease. Apparently, stress hormones can increase the number of lesions on the brain. In a study done with mice, researchers injected the mice with dexamethasone( a glucocorticoid), a chemical to induce stress. The stress caused the levels of amyloid beta protien to increase by 60%.
• High blood pressure - High blood pressure can reduce blood flow to the brain, and consequently, damage the brain. The connection between high blood pressure and Alzheimers is controversial. Whereas some researchers have found a link between high blood pressure and Alzheimers; others have not. Regardless, reducing high blood pressure may prevent or reduce the risk of Alzheimers.
• High cholesterol - High cholesterol in mid-life may increase your risk for developing Alzheimers later in life. Like high blood pressure, the connection of high cholesterol with developing Alzheimers is controversial. Again, some researchers have found a connection while others have not. Therefore, reducing cholesterol levels may help prevent Alzheimers. Even if there is no connection, it will certainly lower your risk for heart attacks and strokes.
• Lack of exercise - Some evidence exists that regular physical exercise lowers congnitive decline later in life. However, the beneficial results caused by exercise (weight loss, lowering blood pressure, and lowering cholesterol) may play a role too.
• High homocysteine levels - High homecysteine levels have been linked to Alzheimers. Homocysteine is an amino acid in the blood. A high level of homocysteine increases the risk of heat disease, strokes, and peripheral vascular disese. It may increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease too. By eating fruits and vegetables and taking a B complex vitamin with folic acid, homocysteine levels may decrease.
• Vitamins and supplements - Taking vitamins and supplements can reduce the risk of getting Alzheimers or improve the symptoms. Some of the vitamins and supplements found effective are the B vitamins, vitamin c, vitamin D vitamin E, folic acid, fish oil, DMAE, acetyl-L-caritine, and Ginko Bilboa.
• A lack of sleep - A lack of sleep can significantly increase the progression of Alzheimers. In one study with mice, researchers found the levels of amyloid beta protien were higher when they were awake compared to sleeping. Furthermore, when mice were sleep deprived, the levels of amyloid beta protien were 60% higher.

Alzheimer's is a tragic disease. Every 20 years, Alzheimer's is expected to double. However, while researchers tirelessly continue to look for a cure, you can be proactive in trying to reduce your risk for Alzheimer's. Apparently, living a healthy lifestyle is not only good for your heart, it reduces your chances of getting Alzheimers too.