Alzheimer’s - Am I Losing My Mind?
Memory Loss is a Serious Condition Affecting Millions of Americans.
Not only does Alzheimer's affect the memory, but it can also be fatal. Alzheimer's is the seventh leading cause of death in the U.S.
A German physician named Alois Alzheimer first described Alzheimer’s disease in 1906. More than 5 million Americans now have this progressive and fatal brain disease. Although there is currently no cure for Alzheimer's, one’s lifestyle contributes to the degree of severity of this disease. Understanding the benefits gained from healthier food choices and moderate activity can be life altering.
Alzheimer’s disturbs memory, thinking and behavior severely enough to affect work, lifelong hobbies and social life through the destruction of brain cells. Currently Alzheimer’s is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States.
Although we may not be affected now, as we age, our brain – like the rest of our body – will change. Some of us may notice slowed thinking and occasional problems remembering certain things. It should be noted however that memory loss, confusion and other major changes in the way our minds work are not a normal part of aging. In fact, they could be signs that our brain is failing.
Research suggests that:
- Mice genetically predisposed to Alzheimer's brain abnormalities experience less damage to brain cells and do not develop problems remembering their way through mazes when they are fed a diet high in the Omega-3 fatty acid.
- Women who ate plenty of green leafy and cruciferous vegetables did better on cognitive tests than women who ate less of these foods.
- Seniors who take supplements containing a combination of at least 400 international units of vitamin E and 500 milligrams of vitamin C may have a reduced risk of developing dementia.
- Older men who walked two miles or more daily reduced their risk by two times compared to those who walked less than one-quarter mile each day.
- Older adults with dementia or cognitive impairment who engage in programs involving such physical activities as walking, strength and flexibility training, or mild aerobic exercises benefit in terms of physical fitness, cognitive function and behavior.
- Leisure activities involving mental, physical and social stimulation all seem to offer some protection against developing dementia, but activities that combine all three kinds of stimulation offer the greatest benefit.
- Engaging in four or more different types of leisure physical activity reduced the risk by half for 3,375 men and women older than 65 compared to those who engaged in one or none. It appeared that it was the variety and that not the intensity level of the activity that afforded the benefits. Fifteen types of activity were included in the study; among them were walking, household chores, mowing, raking, gardening, hiking, golfing, swimming and dancing.
- 1,449 older adults who at middle age engaged in vigorous activity for 20 to 30 minutes twice a week reduced their risk for Alzheimer's by 60 percent.
As you can see, there are tremendous health benefits (once again) associated with exercise and healthy eating habits. Knowing that exercise reduces the risk for many diseases should be motivation enough to begin or maintain a regimen consistent with a healthy lifestyle.
"The secret of staying young is to live honestly, eat slowly, and lie about your age." – Lucille Ball
