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Given the prevalence and devastating effect of Alzheimer's disease, the claims will surely catch the eye. After all, who would not want to "reverse the mental decline associated with dementia in just one week," "halve the risk of Alzheimer's disease" or "prevent the progression of Alzheimer's disease"?
Let's start with a harsh truth: although some FDA-approved drugs can treat the symptoms, no treatment or treatment has been shown to stop, slow or reverse the progression of Alzheimer's disease, the form of dementia more widespread. The FDA is attacking manufacturers of dozens of products, often referred to as dietary supplements, which claim the opposite. What these companies sell, says the administration, is a false hope.
Disappointing? Yes. But there are several paths of legitimate hope; proactive measures that we can all take to potentially reduce our risk of Alzheimer's disease and dementia.
Age and aging, genetics and lifestyle are the top three risk factors for Alzheimer's disease and dementia, says Dr. Daniel L. Murman, director of the Center's Behavioral and Geriatric Neurology Program. University of Nebraska.
"We have no real control over the first two, but there is growing evidence that a healthy lifestyle is associated with better cognitive aging and less risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer's disease. He said. "The challenge is that it's not a simple pill to take. This probably involves several elements of a healthy lifestyle. "
These components include:
• Actively avoid a sedentary lifestyle. "A saying goes," What is good for the heart is good for the brain. We know that blood circulation is of vital importance to the brain and other organs, "said Dr. Murman. One of the great benefits of physical exercise is heart and cerebrovascular disease health. (Cerebrovascular health is linked to blood vessels and blood flow in the brain.) When you develop cerebrovascular disease, you have a risk of stroke and Alzheimer's disease. "
• Exercise your brain, too. "No one has proven that there is an exact" brain game "- whether it's crosswords, Sudoku or a computer game – it's better than any other. actively engaged mentally is "making your brain work," says Dr. Murman.
• Navigate in a Mediterranean diet. According to Dr. Murman, a heart-healthy Mediterranean diet (lots of fruits, vegetables and whole grains, fish and poultry and healthy fats such as olive oil) is based on the scientific basis for reduce dementia. His warning: most of these studies are still in the observation stage and not in randomized controlled trials.
• Target high blood pressure and diabetes. "Uncontrolled blood pressure and uncontrolled diabetes increase the risk of cerebrovascular disease, but there appears to be a distinct interaction between brain health and diabetes." Appears to be detrimental to brain health and linked to increased risk of disease Alzheimer.
• Close it at the end of the day. Since "sleep is a period of brain recovery," Dr. Murman's strategy against Alzheimer's is to improve sleep and treat all sleep disorders. According to him, during the deepest phases of sleep, the brain undergoes "some kind of cleaning process to remove abnormal and harmful proteins."
Although "these lifestyle suggestions still do not have absolute proof," Dr. Murman sees only one advantage in pursuing them: "There is sufficient evidence that each contributes generally to improve the well-being and, potentially, the development of diseases that is dementia, Alzheimer's disease or other diseases.
Echoing the advice of the Alzheimer's Association, he says the time has come to start. "Starting early has more benefits than starting later in life."
Find more stories like this in Blue Cross's Thrive 55+ series and Blue Shield of Nebraska on omaha.com
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