How to Delay Alzheimer's/Dementia
“Dementia is not a specific disease. It’s an overall term that describes a wide range of symptoms associated with a decline in memory or other thinking skills severe enough to reduce a persons’ ability to perform everyday activities” - The Alzheimer’s Association.
Most types of Dementia are progressive and cannot be cured due to permanent brain cells damage. However, many people have memory loss issues that does not mean they have Alzheimer’s or another Dementia. Research claimed that dementia caused by vitamin and thyroid hormones deficiencies can be treated with supplements’. Dementia that cannot be cured, such as Alzheimer’s disease, medicines are used to prevent symptoms getting worse. Research shows that Alzheimer’s disease accounts for 60 to 80 percentage of cases. Vascular Dementia, which occurs after a stroke, is the second most common dementia type.
In Alzheimer’s disease, high levels of certain proteins inside and outside brain cells make it hard for brain cell to stay health and communicate with each other and memory loss is the earliest symptom of Alzheimer’s. Early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s/Dementia and other types of dementia are based on careful medical history, a physical examination, lab tests and the daily thinking and behaviours associated with these diseases. It is said that there are no one test to determine if someone has dementia.
Physical exercise may help lower the risk of some types of dementia by increasing blood supply and oxygen to the brain cells.
What you eat can have an impact on brain health.
Lifestyle is said to play a big role in delaying many diseases and slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. What we eat, where we live and what we do with our leisure time can affect our Brain Health for example:
- Minimally processed foods, Vitamins and supplements.
- Avoid physical and emotional stress, rich and fatty foods, refined foods, intoxicants, including coffee, alcohol and tobacco and chemical additives, food colouring and Genetically modified foods.
Can Demintia/Alzheimers' be prevented? There are several specific dietary recommendation that can improve your brain ability.
- Antioxidants-fresh whole vegetables and fruits
- Cold water fish and fish oil-salmon and flounder
- Folate-Vitamin B
- Green Tea and black tea-high in antioxidants
- Turmeric-a spice in curry
- Apple juice
- Coconut oil
- Exercises or some form of movement, socialization, puzzles, music thought provoking books and discussions
- Risk Factors
- Women are at much higher risk
- Family History-Genetics. If family members have had the disease
- Medical Conditions e.g History of heart disease, diabetes, stroke and high blood pressure
- Age-Alzheimer’s and Dementia begins at 65, but can occur earlier
- Nutrient Deficiencies
The most effective treatment involves Brain Stimulation, Support and Health Care.