Can Alzheimer's
be Prevented?
By Gray Rollins
Alzheimer’s disease is a condition affecting up to 4.5 million
Americans. While there is no known cure, studies have been
conducted that indicate there may be ways of preventing the
onset of Alzheimer’s disease.
The disease is characterized by symptoms such as forgetfulness,
memory loss, and reduced ability to concentrate, and in later
stages the sufferer may display anxiety and delusions, loss of
speech and inability to sit up or walk. It is a slow disease
with symptoms manifesting and worsening over the period of many
years.
The now famous, groundbreaking “nun study” went a long way
toward identifying characteristics that would indicate the
likelihood of Alzheimer’s onset later in life.
100 nuns have
been studied over a period of fifteen years, beginning in 1991.
Over the course of those years, their genes have been tested and
analyzed, physical balance and strength charted, and cognitive
tests run to determine how many words the women could remember
several minutes after reading them, how many animals they could
name in a minute, and if they could correctly count coins.
The
research shows that people who scored lower on cognitive
ability tests when young were more likely to develop
Alzheimer’s later in life. Early cognitive ability was measured
based on writings done by the nuns while in their early 20’s.
Those showing more “idea density” – the number of ideas
expressed in the fewest number of words – and better linguistic
and grammar skills had a much lower incidence of Alzheimer’s
later in life.
Scientists are of the opinion that good
cognitive skills early on creates a sort of “neurocognitive
reserve” which will be drawn on later, effectively preventing
Alzheimer’s. Exercising and improving cognitive skills via
writing, reading and learning – anything that stimulates the
brain – may go a long way toward active, clearheaded and
graceful aging.
|
Tips For Alzheimers Care and Prevention:
1. Get as physically active as you can...
walking, biking, hiking or other forms of regular exercise.
2. Drink 10-15 glasses of water every day.
3. Get your regular 8 or more hours of
restful sleep.
4. Meet and socialize with your friends
regularly.
5. Eat healthy well balanced meals.
6. Cut out on alcohol, smoking, caffeine and
other unhealthy drugs.
7. Keep your mind active and alert by
practicing puzzles such as soduku or other word puzzles regularly. or by
doing mental calculations.
8. Play Chess regularly.
9. Eliminate stress from your life. Take on
some yoga or meditation.
10. Practice positive thinking.
11. Recommended Resources For Alzheimers
care and prevention / reversal :
|
|
There are a number of other things,
as well, that you can do to help prevent the onset of Alzheimer’s.
Many of these prevention techniques
involve limbering the mind and working on memory skills long before
Alzheimer’s onset is a danger. Just having a mentally stimulating job that
involves creative thinking or manipulation of data is shown to have a
connection to lower incidence of Alzheimer’s later in life. Doing crossword
puzzles and playing card games were found to have a significant positive
impact on later mental dexterity. Employ memorization techniques used by
actors. Actors don’t merely memorize a series of words. They also combine
appropriate movements, and evaluate the intent behind the words to be
delivered. This “active-experiencing” method of memorization was shown to
also improve the memory and cognitive skills in older people who were taught
the technique. Limbering your mind now may promote a limber mind in your
latter years.
Proper diet and exercise promote good health in general and may
ward off countless problems including Alzheimer’s onset.
The addition of
fish oils, Vitamin E, and Vitamin C to the diet
have all shown to contribute to a lower incidence of Alzheimer’s. Keeping
cholesterol at a healthy level prevents build-up of amyloid plaques in the
brain – a characteristic in
Alzheimer’s. Finally, physical activity has been shown to prevent deposits
in the brain that are associated with Alzheimer’s disease.
Exercise your mind and body, and make good lifestyle choices, as the only
“cure” for Alzheimer’s as yet, is prevention. While there is believed to be
a genetic component which would predispose someone to the risk of
Alzheimer’s, awareness, early planning and mental exercise, and smart
dietary choices may aid to reduce your likelihood of developing this
mysterious and debilitating disease. A healthy mind and a healthy body now
will make for a healthy mind and body later.
About The Author: Gray Rollins is a featured writer for ForAlzheimers. To
learn more about alzheimer's disease and preventing Alzheimer's visit
http://www.foralzheimers.com/alzheimersinformation/ and
http://www.foralzheimers.com/a/preventingalzheimersdisease/
More Alzhiemers and Health Related
Articles:
|