| There is a misconception, particularly in the | | | | Many of these are things we all do |
| United States, that Alzheimer's disease is a | | | | occasionally; of course the point at which |
| normal part of aging. Because of this | | | | they become warning signs is the point at |
| misconception, the disease is accepted as | | | | which they become abnormal for you. |
| something you will definitely face as you | | | | |
| age, and you might as well get used to the | | | | Avoiding Alzheimer's is not as easy as one |
| idea. | | | | would hope, because no one knows what causes |
| | | | it or who is likely to get it. But there are |
| The fact is, Alzheimer's is not unavoidable, | | | | things you can do to help reduce your chances |
| and it is not just a normal part of aging. | | | | of getting Alzheimer's. |
| Alzheimer's disease is just that-a disease. | | | | |
| No one knows what causes it or who will be | | | | Exercise, according to a 5-year study in |
| affected by it, but we do know what it is, | | | | Canada, cuts the risk not only of Alzheimer's |
| and we know ways to reduce our risk. | | | | but of other forms of mental decline and |
| | | | dementia, particularly in women. The more you |
| We do not have to live in fear of developing | | | | exercise, the more your brain is sheltered |
| Alzheimer's disease. | | | | from the risks of Alzheimer's. |
| | | | |
| First, we should know exactly what | | | | According to the study, those who exercised |
| Alzheimer's disease is. It's a progressive, | | | | the most were half as likely as inactive |
| degenerative disease affecting the brain. | | | | people to develop Alzheimer's disease and 40% |
| Cells in the brain shrink, or disappear | | | | less likely to suffer other forms of mental |
| altogether, and are replaced with plaque. | | | | decline and dementia. |
| Thread-like structures of plaque choke off | | | | |
| healthy brain cells. | | | | But even low levels of activity decreased |
| | | | risk for mental decline, dementia and |
| All of this causes the brain to cease | | | | Alzheimer's. |
| functioning correctly, which results in loss | | | | |
| of mental and physical abilities and changes | | | | Doctors believe that medications designed to |
| in behavior. | | | | lower blood cholesterol may protect against |
| | | | the development of Alzheimer's. One natural |
| You're probably very familiar with the | | | | supplement used for cholesterol, red yeast |
| advanced symptoms of Alzheimer's, including | | | | extract, is a natural statin, the very |
| loss of memory and inability to function on | | | | substance doctors believe can reduce chances |
| one's own. | | | | of Alzheimer's. |
| | | | |
| You may not be aware of some of the warning | | | | Folic acid and vitamins C and E are believed |
| signs of Alzheimer's, including: | | | | to help prevent the occurrence of |
| | | | Alzheimer's, as well, and are very good for |
| -Memory loss | | | | overall health. The antioxidant properties of |
| | | | these vitamins help prevent neuron damage in |
| -Difficulty in performing routine tasks like | | | | the brain and reduce the risks of mental |
| balancing a checkbook | | | | decline. |
| | | | |
| -Forgetting simple words more often than | | | | One of the best things you can do to prevent |
| before | | | | Alzheimer's is to keep your brain active. |
| | | | Read, take courses, play games, do crossword |
| -Difficulty being understood when you speak | | | | puzzles, and have intellectual conversations. |
| | | | Keep your brain active, keep developing new |
| -Misplacing items, i.e. putting the phone in | | | | connections in your brain. |
| the refrigerator | | | | |
| | | | There are no guarantees against Alzheimer's, |
| -Mental confusion, such as getting lost on | | | | but there are steps you can take, naturally, |
| your own street | | | | to protect your brain, and your mind, against |
| | | | this horrible illness. |