Posts Tagged ‘Alzheimer’s’
By Sylvia Anderson, InsidersHealth Editor
Growing older often means foggy memories and worrying about the progression of dementia. However, the result of a two-year clinical trial has been released that offers new hope for a sharp and active mind for years to come, no matter how old you may be right now.
In this study, members of a group of 168 volunteers were given a vitamin pill containing vitamin B6 and vitamin B12 plus high doses of folic acid. Other members were given a placebo. The results are certainly encouraging. The brains of volunteers taking the vitamin complex had less brain shrinkage (which leads to cognitive impairment) than those taking the placebo. This is important because brain shrinkage is a common precursor of Alzheimer’s.
Optimal vitamin B levels are crucial to brain health.
The bottom line is optimal brain health means optimal levels of B vitamins. Optimal is the key word here. It’s possible to have normal levels of B vitamins and still experience brain shrinkage. That’s why keeping vitamin B levels higher than the normal range is critical, according to the results of the study. Just because your blood tests indicate that your B12 levels are normal doesn’t necessarily mean that all is well. Actually, there are several blood tests that may read as normal (vitamin D is one of them), but that does not necessarily mean the levels are high enough to maintain good health.
What we really know about Alzheimer’s.
We know that Alzheimer’s is a chronic form of dementia. Severe memory loss occurs and eventually death. Sadly, once diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, the average lifespan is approximately 8 years even though it is possible to survive up to 20 years with the right care.
Genetics is one indicator of Alzheimer’s but it’s more than that. This devastating disease has been linked to nutritional deficiencies, obesity, environmental toxins, insulin resistance and diabetes, thyroid dysfunction, and heart disease, just to name a few.
Some experts believe that one of the most important factors in developing Alzheimer’s is insulin resistance, which puts you at risk for brain atrophy as well as other conditions.
How to make sure you get enough B vitamins.
While it’s easy to take a B12 supplement, most of them don’t work very well. The best way to ensure you’re getting standard B12 is through an injection.
Keep in mind it’s possible you could be taking common drugs that contribute to B12 deficiency. Prilosec and other common drugs can decrease B12 absorption.
How to prevent Alzheimer’s in the first place.
This is a fairly controversial topic and has been the subject of many news reports of late. Some reports claim that there is nothing at all to do about it. Other experts disagree.
As with most diseases, simple lifestyle changes will prevent onset in the first place. This is true for keeping your brain healthy well past your 60s. What lifestyle changes should you make?
First of all, pay close attention to your diet. Optimize your vitamin D levels, eat a diet rich in folate, get plenty of high-quality omega-3 fats, avoid aluminum, and avoid flu vaccinations which contain aluminum and mercury.
One of the most important things you can do is to challenge your mind daily. Learn a new instrument or new language or anything new at all. Developing new learning patterns is associated with a reduced risk of developing Alzheimer’s. Mental challenges boost mental capacity and make your brain more resistance to the lesions found in Alzheimer’s.
So, if you’ve always wanted to learn a new language or play the guitar, it’s never too late to start! Not only will these activities add pleasure to your life, they could help add many productive, happy and healthy years as well.
Relevant Resources
U receives $4M to study causes of Alzheimer’s
The University of Minnesota has been awarded more than $4 million to study risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease.
Read more on Minnesota Public Radio
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Study explores direct role of FTO gene on Alzheimer’s and dementia risk in old age
A gene known as FTO, which appears to be correlated with obesity in humans, may also increase risk of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, according to new research presented today at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference on Alzheimer’s Disease 2010 in Honolulu, HI. And when a person has certain variants of both FTO and a recognized Alzheimer’s risk gene known as APOE, the risk of …
Read more on News-Medical-Net
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Mechanism links abnormal blood clots with Alzheimer’s disease
New research suggests that abnormalities in the process of blood clot formation may contribute to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease. The study advances our understanding of the link between vascular pathology and AD and proposes a new therapeutic strategy aimed at slowing cognitive decline.
Read more on Science Daily
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Brain-Imaging Study Supports the Relevance of a Common Genetic Risk Factor for Alzheimer’s Disease in Latinos
A brain-imaging study published today in the Archives of Neurology suggests that a major genetic risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease in the Anglo population is also a risk factor for the disease in Latinos.
Read more on PR Newswire via Yahoo! Finance
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