Alzheimer's Disease Is Sharply Rising, But You Can Lower Your Odds

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mikkimilto of GA 5:44AM January 31, 2010

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seabrookfa of GA 5:43AM January 31, 2010

I enjoyed Sarah Baldauf's Alzheimer's roundup and posted a brief blog about it a few weeks ago: http://www.iqsolutions.com/blog/
I think the piece does a good job of balancing some important forces that are relevant to the disease and our discussions of it.
We obviously don't know everything we'd like to know about the nature of Alzheimer's. And we can't say when we'll have complete knowledge and the breakthrough everyone is hoping for. These are the dismal facts of life for people afflicted and their families.
At the same time, our medical technologies are rapidly evolving, and I think there is reason to expect new information and knowledge to emerge sooner rather than later. Whenever current, credible research prompts discussion -- as with the connections cited in the article among lifestyle choices, a healthier brain, and the onset of dementia -- we're drawn a little bit closer to the answers we're looking for. Slow as it is, that incremental process is our only vehicle for knowing.
In the meantime, the idea that we might fend off Alzheimer's by making specific lifestyle choices has extraordinary appeal. It's likely to resonate with people who already exercise and modify their diet to reduce the risk of heart disease, etc. Is it "the solution"? Part of the answer? We can't be certain. But we shouldn't be surprised if people take action based on the new research.

Dan Johnson of MD 1:02PM October 16, 2009

I just saw your ad on TV for Alzheimer’s. What is the matter with you people? Do you realize how many people you upset by not pronouncing the word Alzheimer’s correctly? You would think that an organization that promotes Alzheimer’s awareness, would at least pronounce the name correctly. How can you be taken seriously?
The word Alzheimer’s does not have a T anywhere. So how can you pronounce it Alltimer’s? It is pronounced All zi mers. Look it up in the dictionary and start pronouncing it correctly. The word Alltimer’s comes from the variation and jab at calling it Old Timers disease, which I find offensive.
George Schlink
309-383-2204

George Schlink of IL 6:20AM September 24, 2009

More than 100 years ago aluminum was implicated as toxic in animal nervous systems. Several population studies link Alzheimer’s disease to aluminum in drinking water. A study of the association between exposure to aluminum and the risk of Alzheimer's found that "cognitive decline with time was greater in subjects with a higher daily intake of aluminum from drinking water (>/=0.1 mg/day, P = 0.005) or higher geographic exposure to aluminum." (Rondeau et al, American Journal of Epidemiology. 2008 Dec 8). The McLachlan Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Toronto, concluded “The strength of the evidence implicating aluminium as an important factor in the dementia of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is reviewed. We submit that the weight of the epidemiological and biological arguments is considerable”.
The amount of aluminum is pervasive in its presence in our diet and medicines. Municipal water is treated with aluminum sulfate and aluminum fluoride, table salt and toothpaste with sodium fluoride, contain aluminum. Antacids, buffered aspirin, antiperspirants, contain aluminum. Aluminum coated waxed containers can cause orange and pineapple juice to absorb aluminum, aluminum cans for drinks absorb small amounts of aluminum. Aluminum hydroxide is used as an absorbing agent in many vaccines, glaucoma eye drops are made with aluminum hydroxide. Aluminum cookware leaches aluminum into foods.
The cumulative effects of this ingestion is alarming.

D. Bennett 6:06PM September 21, 2009

I watched my mother progress with this disease and she was a piano player all her life.No matter how much she played over time she would forget how to read the music. Another thing I noticed is that she gave up trying as this disease apparently takes your will to try away. She also had depression which also must go along with this as well. She was on Zoloft for a number of years. mind exercisers won't help as long as that person has no desire to help himself.

William MacDermod of FL 5:45PM September 21, 2009

There is no proof that anything you do will help to avoid Alzheimer's disease. Many people who read their whole lives and are very mentally active get Alzheimer's. The truth is we still do not understand the disease and what causes it for the majority of people. There is a form of genetic Alzheimer's, but that is not what most people are suffwering from.
This is much like the cancer debate where the government holds the stick and carrot and says "if you exercise and eat right you will be protected". It is utter nonsense! People who eat right and work out still get cancer because it is either genetically or environmentally related the majority of the time.
Alzheimer's is robbing us of our loved ones everyday and all we can get is "Do crossword puzzles and eat right". This is a big load of ****!
How can people even promote this quackery with a straight face? It is apparent something is causing this increase in Alzheimer's beyond the number of baby boomers getting older. It is probably related to something in our environment that we are either afraid to uncover or too inept to realize.
I work with Alzheimer's patient on a regular basis and I can attest it is probably the worst disease you can get. Lots of diseases can steal you life away, but Alzheimer's literally erases who you are. It is beyond scary, but I guess we are too busy playing "billionare" to invest any serious money into figuring out what is causing this modern day plague.

Redd Hearing of AK 4:53PM September 21, 2009

I agree with all those helpful suggestions. Yet, I caution that memory is the province of the hippocampus and it is a physical organ. If and when the hippocampus is damaged by stroke or starvation the memories are lost forever, and some times the ability to form memories is lost forever.
The brain requires several nutrients that are rare in the American diet. When starved for nutrients some organ or portion of the brain must be scavenged to keep the essential machinery operating. Apparently the hippocampus is first in order of expendable.
One nutrient essential for brain function is choline for production of phospholipid membranes and neurotransmitters. Minimal daily requirement of choline is in two egg yolks or quarter pound of liver. Other rare foods like brains and organ meats are unlikely in our diets. A supplement of lecithin is advised.
Long chain omega 3 vitamin oils are plentiful only in the synapse/nerve endings. Unless you eat brains and eyeballs you best eat fish or take your cod liver oil.
Brain function requires a lot of DNA modification. Methyl group transfer and acetylation vitamins are essential. Take your Vitamin A, B6, B12, folic acid supplements.
Linus Pauling pointed out that vascular health depends upon Vitamin C. We are one of few species who in proportion to our size do not produce ten grams of vitamin C per day. Without the C you must ultimately suffer heart disease or stroke.
The brain is energy intense. The aged brain cannot produce ATP energy without a ubiquinol supplement.
Exercise and training are to muscle as to brain. You cannot grow and keep musculature and physical skills without excellent nutrition in addition to the exercise and training. The brain is the same.

Keith Beatty of CA 4:08PM September 21, 2009

Hi
take a look at this,and let me know if this will help or not?
love,linda

linda of NC 3:48PM September 21, 2009

Good topic, but why the slide show?-- maybe if Americans read more instead of being forcefed pictures, they could get some of that mental stimulation needed to reduce altzheimers cases.

John Flory of AK 3:30PM September 21, 2009