Brain Health Starts With Real Nutrition

Confirming the long-standing prediction that Alzheimer's disease will approach epidemic proportions as the U.S. population ages, a new report finds that more than five million Americans are now living with the mind-robbing condition. That represents a 10 percent increase from five years ago and more than double the number in 1980, according to the study released recently by the Alzheimer's Association. One in every eight people over the age of 65 now has Alzheimer's disease, including half of those over 85.

Between 2000-04, Alzheimer's-related deaths rose 33 percent. Scientists now project that 7.7 million older Americans will have the illness by 2030, the association said. By 2050, unless new ways are found to prevent or treat the disease, the total could climb to 16 million. Younger people are also affected: According to the report, between 200,000 and 500,000 Americans under the age of 65 now suffer from early onset Alzheimer's or some other form of dementia.
Source Health Day News Tuesday 20th March

 

Prevention

• Countries in which fat and calorie intake are lower, such as China, tend to have a lower incidence of Alzheimers (Hendrie et al. 2001; Ott and Owens 1998).
• Higher intake of fish is associated with a lower risk, possibly due to the high level of omega-3 fatty acids (Ott and Owens 1998)
  
• Higher intake of linoleic acid (omega-6 fatty acids) found in margarine, butter, and other dairy products is associated with an increased risk of cognitive impairment (Ott and Owens 1998).
• Decreasing omega-6 intake will help restore a better balance of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids.
• Evidence suggests that free radicals may be involved in the development of AD; antioxidants may therefore play a role in its prevention (Christen 2000; Morris et al. 1998), and epidemiological studies suggest that dietary intake of vitamins A, E, and C decrease the risk for AD (Pitchumoni and Doraiswamy 1998).
•  It may be reasonable to recommend foods rich in carotenoids and antioxidants, such as darkly colored fruits and vegetables.
• Maintaining normal blood pressure levels.
• Hormone replacement therapy in post-menopausal women. The role of estrogen in the prevention of AD is controversial. Results are mixed with some studies reporting 40% to 60% reduction while others report no effect. Estrogen may decrease production of beta amyloid, stimulate growth of neural pathways in the hippocampus, and improve cerebral blood flow.

Ott BR, Owens NJ. Complementary and alternative medicines for Alzheimer's disease. J Geriatr Psychiatry Neurol. 1998;11:163-173.

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