Alzheimer's Disease Prevention

Alzheimer's disease is the most common type of dementia. Alzheimer's is a type of dementia that affects memory, thinking and behavior. Symptoms eventually grow severe enough to interfere with daily tasks.  Symptoms include: Increased memory loss and confusion, inability to learn new things, difficulty with language and problems with reading, writing, and working with numbers, difficulty organizing thoughts and thinking logically, shortened attention span, problems coping with new situations.

Alzheimer's disease is thought to be caused by the abnormal build-up of proteins in and around brain cells. One of the proteins involved is called amyloid, deposits of which form plaques around brain cells. The other protein is called tau, deposits of which form tangles within brain cells.

Research studies over the last couple of decades has found that nutrition and exercise plays an important role in preventing Alzheimers and improving brain function.  Anti-oxidants are nutrients that repair cell damage. People with higher levels of the anti-oxidants lutein, zeaxanthin and beta-cryptoxanthin had a lower risk of developing dementia as measured in 7,283 people over 16 years.  In addition, these nine nutrients were shown to prevent brain decline and improve brain function:  Nine nutrients that are vital for brain health and cognition are the marine-based omega-3 fats DHA and EPA, choline, phosphatidylserine(which is in these foods - soy (which is the main source), white beans, egg yolks) , acetyl-L-carnitine, vitamins D and B12, MCT oil and probiotics.  Further studies report on the link between gut bacteria and mental decline.  This makes the consumption of probiotics like yogurt and fermented vegetables essential.  Prebiotics are foods that can created a friendly probiotic environment in the stomach and contribute to brain function.  Prebiotic foods include apples, artichokes, blueberries, almonds, bananas, garlic, oats and pistachios.  30 -40 minutes of daily exercise has been shown to lower the risk of alzheimer’s disease.  Regular physical activity benefits the brain. Studies show that people who are physically active are less likely to experience a decline in their mental function and have a lowered risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.

Physical activity is one of the known modifiable risk factors for dementia. Lastly, Avoid cooking food in aluminum foil or pots and pans and anticholinergic drugs, prescribed for a wide variety of conditions, including depression, incontinence, insomnia and asthma as they the increase risk of Alzheimer’s and dementia.

Chiropractic Thought for the Week:  When you think of the ideal chiropractic patient, one typically thinks of a person suffering from lower back or neck pain.  Rightly so, as chiropractic is probably the most effective natural treatment for those conditions. However, when I think of the ideal chiropractic patient, I think of a person with no symptoms or complaints.  I think of a person who is interested in maintaining thier health by having their spine adjusted and cleared of spinal nerve interference. Chiropractic care used on a regular basis, whether you have symptoms or not, maintains health, boosts immune system function and helps yoour body function at an optimal level.

Pregnancy Prenatal Chiropractic Care Info:  A prenatal chiropractor or pregnancy chiropractor is just like a regular chiropractor in that they focus on spinal and pelvic adjustments to relieve back pain and body tension, but they also have special knowledge and training around the pregnant body and common pregnancy-related pain and discomfort. Prenatal chiropractic also focuses more on the pelvis to help with pelvic alignment (which can help with labor and vaginal delivery) and to ensure there’s plenty of room for baby as they grow and invert in the third trimester.

Author

Dr J. Zimmerman, Chiropractor Dr. Zimmerman is a practicing chiropractor from Galloway, NJ with 30 years of chiropractic practice.