From: unk...@googlegroups.com   
      
   Ways to Reduce the Risk of Alzheimer's Disease   
   By June Rousso | June Rousso, Ph.D. | November 7, 2014   
      
      
      
   Many of us as we grow older have lapses in our memory.  Memory for names   
   usually is the first aspect of memory that tends to show a decline. In time,   
   having to retrieve words in general on demand becomes more difficult than when   
   we have the luxury of    
   controlling the flow of the conversation more. How often have we thought to   
   ourselves that Alzheimer's disease may be down the road.   
      
   While genetics can play a role in Alzheimer's risk, there are many steps that   
   we can take to reduce our chances of actually developing Alzheimer's.    
   Aluminum is increasing being implicated as a causative factor and is best   
   avoided by not cooking with    
   aluminum, and avoiding foods and products containing aluminum.  Some of these   
   foods and products include antacids, cake mix, processed cheese, deodorants,   
   baking soda/powder, aluminum foil and cookware, certain cosmetics and lotions,   
   and aluminum cans.   
      
   Foods high in folate decrease homocysteine levels in the blood, which when   
   high can increase the risk of Alzheimer's.  Beans and dark green leafy   
   vegetables are the best sources of folate.  Thiamine and Vitamin B12 are   
   needed to produce acetylcholine, an    
   enzyme that helps in laying down memories. Many foods are rich in thiamine,   
   including oatmeal, sunflower seeds, brown rice, asparagus, kale, cauliflower,   
   potatoes, oranges, liver, beef, pork, chicken, and eggs.  Meat, eggs, poultry,   
   and dairy are good    
   sources of Vitamin B12.  Low levels of folate and vitamin B12 are associated   
   with mental decline.  Low levels of vitamin B12 also can result in anemia   
   whose symptoms can mimic Alzheimer's disease.   
      
   Patrick Holford in his book, New Optimum Nutrition for the Mind, cites   
   research reporting that eating fish high in omega-3 fatty acids at least once   
   a week can reduce Alzheimer's risk by as much as sixty percent.  Ground flax   
   seeds and pumpkin seeds also    
   are high in omega-3 fatty acids. Foods high in choline also appear to reduce   
   Alzheimer's risk.  Egg yolks, wheat germs, peanuts, whole wheat products,   
   salmon, oats, legumes, and avocados are all good sources of choline.   
      
   Foods high in anti-oxidants such as fruits and vegetables fight inflammation   
   in the body. Inflammation has been associated with increased Alzheimer's risk.   
   Low glycemic fruits and vegetables, especially those that are dark green, are   
   good sources of anti-   
   oxidants.  Managing stress also is especially important as we grow older to   
   control cortisol levels as excess cortisol can impair memory and mimic   
   Alzheimer's symptoms. Exercise, in particular, helps to reduce cortisol levels   
   in the body.    
      
   We also need to be aware that symptoms of depression may appear similar to   
   those in Alzheimer's disease. Paula Bartholomy, a professor at Hawthorn   
   University, makes several important distinctions between clinical depression   
   and Alzheimer's.  Depression    
   appears to take an uneven course with more memory complaints and is worse in   
   the morning.  Alzheimer's symptoms, on the other hand, are more pronounced   
   later in the day as fatigue sets in and usually there is denial of memory   
   loss.  Self-medication also    
   is more common in depression.  In mini-strokes, which can resemble Alzheimer's   
   symptoms, there is a very sudden change in memory decline followed by some   
   compensation and memory improvement.   
      
   It is very helpful to be aware of these distinctions along with some of the   
   ways that nutrition and lifestyle changes can reduce Alzheimer's risk. We tune   
   up our cars like clockwork and the same should apply to our bodies. While   
   there are no guarantees,    
   making dietary and lifestyle modifications to reduce the risk of Alzheimer's   
   may help to stave off what some people anticipate is the inevitable.   
      
   Tags: Alzheimer's risk   
      
      
   http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/blog/ways-to-reduce-the-risk-of-   
   lzheimers-disease/   
      
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