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How To Slow Down Alzheimer’s

Top 16 Foods That Lower Your Risk Of Dementia

3 possible ways to slow down Alzheimer’s disease

One of the easiest ways to reduce your risk of Alzheimers and dementia is to change your diet. Sometimes called an Alzheimers diet, eating brain-healthy food can prevent the disease. In the earliest stages, it may even reverse cognitive decline.

What is the best diet for Alzheimers? The best diet for Alzheimers is Dr. Bredesens KetoFLEX diet. This diet encourages a mild version of the keto diet combined with metabolic flexibility. It also promotes 12-hour fasting periods every day, including at least 3 hours fasting before bedtime.

Research has also shown the Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay diet reduces the risk of Alzheimers and dementia. This diet is a hybrid between the Mediterranean diet and the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension .

Can Alzheimers be reversed with diet? In the earliest stages of cognitive decline, adhering to an Alzheimers diet may reverse cognitive decline. Unfortunately, theres no surefire Alzheimers cure. However, we have personally observed patients whose cognitive decline was reversed after making lifestyle changes, including changing their diet.

Can dementia be reversed with diet? Advanced dementia cannot be reversed with diet. However, the KetoFLEX 12/3 diet shows promise in slowing cognitive decline and early stages of dementia. Avoid most carbohydrates and focus on healthy fats and non-starchy veggies.

  • Leafy green vegetables
    • Watercress
    • Bok choy

    How Does Brain Activity Help

    Studies of animals show that keeping the mind active may:

    • Reduce the amount of brain cell damage that happens with Alzheimer’s
    • Support the growth of new nerve cells
    • Prompt nerve cells to send messages to each other

    When you keep your brain active with exercises or other tasks, you may help build up a reserve supply of brain cells and links between them. You might even grow new brain cells. This may be one reason scientists have seen a link between Alzheimer’s and lower levels of education. Experts think the extra mental activity from education may protect the brain by strengthening connections between its cells.

    Neither education nor brain exercises are a sure way to prevent Alzheimer’s. But they may help delay symptoms and keep the mind working better for longer.

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    What Do We Know About Reducing Risk For Dementia

    The number of older Americans is rising, so the number of people with dementia is predicted to increase. However, some studies have shown that incidence rates of dementia meaning new cases in a population over a certain period of time have decreased in some locations, including in the United States. Based on observational studies, factors such as healthy lifestyle behaviors and higher levels of education may be contributing to such a decline. But the cause and effect is uncertain, and such factors need to be tested in a clinical trial to prove whether they can prevent dementia.

    A review of published research evaluated the evidence from clinical trials on behavior and lifestyle changes to prevent or delay Alzheimers or age-related cognitive decline. The review found encouraging but inconclusive evidence for three types of behavioral changes : physical activity, blood pressure control, and cognitive training. The findings mean that interventions in these areas are promising enough that researchers should keep studying them to learn more. Researchers continue to explore these and other interventions to determine whether and in what amounts or forms they might prevent dementia.

    Watch a video below that highlights conclusions and recommendations from the research review.

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    What Kinds Of Brain Exercises Should I Do

    That may be vary from person to person. But the main idea seems to be keeping your brain active and challenged. You could start with something as simple as eating with the hand you usually donât use from time to time.

    You can also:

    • Learn something new, such as a second language or a musical instrument.
    • Play board games with your kids or grandkids. Or get your friends together for a weekly game of cards. Mix it up by trying new games. The extra bonus of activities like these? Social connections also help your brain.
    • Work on crossword, number, or other kinds of puzzles.
    • Play online memory games or video games.
    • Read, write, or sign up for local adult education classes.

    Treatment For Moderate To Severe Alzheimers

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    A medication known as memantine, an N-methyl D-aspartate antagonist, is prescribed to treat moderate to severe Alzheimers disease. This drugs main effect is to decrease symptoms, which could enable some people to maintain certain daily functions a little longer than they would without the medication. For example, memantine may help a person in the later stages of the disease maintain his or her ability to use the bathroom independently for several more months, a benefit for both the person with Alzheimer’s and caregivers.

    Memantine is believed to work by regulating glutamate, an important brain chemical. When produced in excessive amounts, glutamate may lead to brain cell death. Because NMDA antagonists work differently from cholinesterase inhibitors, the two types of drugs can be prescribed in combination.

    The FDA has also approved donepezil, the rivastigmine patch, and a combination medication of memantine and donepezil for the treatment of moderate to severe Alzheimers.

    Drug Name For More Information
    Aducanumab
    • Intravenous: Dose is determined by a persons weight given over one hour every four weeks most people will start with a lower dose and over a period of time increase the amount of medicine to reach the full prescription dose
    • Tablet: Once a day dosage may be increased over time if well tolerated
    • Orally disintegrating tablet: Same dosing regimen as above

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    Key Points About Early

    • Alzheimer disease commonly affects older people, but early-onset Alzheimer disease can affect people in their 30s or 40s.

    • It affects memory, thinking, and behavior.

    • Although there is no known cure, early diagnosis and treatment can lead to better quality of life.

    • Stay healthy with a good diet and regular exercise.

    • Avoid alcohol and other substances that may affect memory, thinking, and behavior.

    Ways To Slow The Progression Of Alzheimers Disease

    January 6, 2021

    Alzheimers disease and other types of dementia are becoming more prevalent. At the age of 65, the chance of developing dementia increases dramatically. Along with Alzheimers disease, natural memory loss is a normal part of aging. Fortunately, there are many things that you can do to prevent memory loss or slow it down in its tracks. To help you maintain your mental and physical health, we have compiled a list of ways to slow the progression of Alzheimers disease.

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    Treatment For Mild To Moderate Alzheimers

    Treating the symptoms of Alzheimers can provide people with comfort, dignity, and independence for a longer period of time and can encourage and assist their caregivers as well. Galantamine, rivastigmine, and donepezil are cholinesterase inhibitors that are prescribed for mild to moderate Alzheimers symptoms. These drugs may help reduce or control some cognitive and behavioral symptoms.

    Scientists do not yet fully understand how cholinesterase inhibitors work to treat Alzheimers disease, but research indicates that they prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine, a brain chemical believed to be important for memory and thinking. As Alzheimers progresses, the brain produces less and less acetylcholine, so these medicines may eventually lose their effect. Because cholinesterase inhibitors work in a similar way, switching from one to another may not produce significantly different results, but a person living with Alzheimers may respond better to one drug versus another.

    Before prescribing aducanumab, doctors may require PET scans or an analysis of cerebrospinal fluid to evaluate whether amyloid deposits are present in the brain. This can help doctors make an accurate diagnosis of Alzheimers before prescribing the medication. Once a person is on aducanumab, their doctor or specialist may require routine MRIs to monitor for side effects such as brain swelling or bleeding in the brain.

    Pillar #: Healthy Diet

    Slowing down the progression of dementia

    In Alzheimers disease, inflammation and insulin resistance injure neurons and inhibit communication between brain cells. Alzheimers is sometimes described as diabetes of the brain, and a growing body of research suggests a strong link between metabolic disorders and the signal processing systems. By adjusting your eating habits, however, you can help reduce inflammation and protect your brain.

    Manage your weight. Extra pounds are a risk factor for Alzheimers disease and other types of dementia. A major study found that people who were overweight in midlife were twice as likely to develop Alzheimers down the line, and those who were obese had three times the risk. Losing weight can go a long way to protecting your brain.

    Cut down on sugar.Sugary foods and refined carbs such as white flour, white rice, and pasta can lead to dramatic spikes in blood sugar which inflame your brain. Watch out for hidden sugar in all kinds of packaged foods from cereals and bread to pasta sauce and low or no-fat products.

    Enjoy a Mediterranean diet. Several epidemiological studies show that eating a Mediterranean diet dramatically reduces the risk of decline from cognitive impairment and Alzheimers disease. That means plenty of vegetables, beans, whole grains, fish and olive oiland limited processed food.

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    What You Should Do For Alzheimers Prevention

    Even though we don’t have enough evidence that all healthy lifestyle choices prevent Alzheimer’s, we do know they can prevent other chronic problems. For example, limiting alcohol intake can help reduce the risk for certain cancers, such as breast cancer. Best advice: make as many healthy lifestyle choices as you can. “They’re all beneficial, and if they help you avoid Alzheimer’s, all the better,” says Dr. Marshall.

    Know the symptoms of Alzheimer’s

    Forgetting where you parked your car can be annoying. If it happens all the time, it can be disturbing, and you may worry that it’s a sign of a more serious condition. But don’t panic. There’s a difference between normal age-related memory slips, such as forgetting where the car keys are, and more serious signs of memory loss, such as forgetting what car keys are used for.

    Early symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease include frequent memory loss, confusion about locations, taking longer to accomplish normal daily tasks, trouble handling money and paying bills, loss of spontaneity, and mood and personality changes. “If you have a decline in your memory or thinking that affects your ability to perform any of your daily routines, ask your doctor for a screening to evaluate you for Alzheimer’s and related conditions,” says Dr. Gad Marshall, a Harvard Medical School assistant professor of neurology.

    Lowering High Blood Pressure And Cholesterol

    The first thing we tell patients is to stay on top of their cardiovascular health, says Caccappolo. Theres a relationship between cardiac health, heart-healthy habits, and delaying the progression of cognitive changes. A study called SPRINT MIND showed that people who lowered their blood pressure were able to stay sharper and think more clearly. Thats almost proof positive that this cardiovascular-Alzheimers connection is really critical, says Dr. Tariot. Dont believe these 15 myths about Alzheimers.

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    Control Your Blood Pressure

    Hypertension or high blood pressure is strongly associated with an increased risk of dementia. High blood pressure can damage tiny blood vessels in the parts of the brain responsible for cognition and memory. The latest American Heart Association guidelines class blood pressure readings of 130/80 mm Hg and above as the start of high blood pressure.

    Check your blood pressure at home. A study in the Netherlands found that a large variation in blood pressure readings over a period of years was associated with an increased risk of dementia. Inexpensive monitors that wrap around your upper arm can help you keep track of your blood pressure throughout the day and pick up on any variations. Some devices even send the results to your phone so you can easily track your readings or share them with your doctor.

    Treat Other Conditions Too

    Key Steps to Preventing &  Slowing Progression of Alzheimerâs Disease

    As people age, they discover other medical conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Its important to treat these as well as dementia.

    Studies show that treating these issues decrease the advance of dementia symptoms. If you want to know how to stop dementia symptoms, then keep your loved ones healthy.

    People with dementia may not always notice other health problems that creep up. Family members can do their part to drive them to appointments and keep them up to date with medications.

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    Why Are Social Activities Good For The Brain

    Having a conversation with someone can also exercise a wide range of your mental skills, for example:

    • actively listening to and communicating with the other person
    • considering the meaning of what someone is trying to tell you and how they feel
    • finding the right way to express what you want to say and putting words together in the right order for someone to understand
    • recalling things that have happened which are relevant to what youre talking about.

    What Is The Cause Of Alzheimers Disease

    Unfortunately, after decades of research, we still do not know the exact cause of AD in the vast majority of cases. Most experts believe that it is most likely due to a combination of factors, including advancing age, lifestyle, genetics, other associated medical conditions, and the environment. While some of the risk factors, such as genetic makeup and advancing age, cannot be controlled, other factors, such as lifestyle, can be modified. Though research is still evolving, early studies show that lowering these risk factors can result in a dramatic reduction in the onset of Alzheimers disease.

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    Genetic ‘hotspots’ That Speed Up And Slow Down Brain Aging Could Provide New Targets For Alzheimer’s Drugs

    Date:
    University of Southern California
    Summary:
    Researchers have discovered 15 ‘hotspots’ in the genome that either speed up brain aging or slow it down — a finding that could provide new drug targets to resist Alzheimer’s disease and other degenerative brain disorders, as well as developmental delays.

    Researchers from a USC-led consortium have discovered 15 “hotspots” in the genome that either speed up brain aging or slow it down — a finding that could provide new drug targets to resist Alzheimer’s disease and other degenerative brain disorders, as well as developmental delays.

    The research appears online today in Nature Neuroscience.

    “The big game-changer here is discovering locations on the chromosome that speed up or slow down brain aging in worldwide populations. These can quickly become new drug targets,” said Paul Thompson of USC, a lead author on the study and the co-founder and director of the ENIGMA Consortium. “Through our AI4AD initiative we even have a genome-guided drug repurposing program to target these and find new and existing drugs that help us age better.”

    ENIGMA is working group based at USC that is exploring a vast trove of brain data and has published some of the largest-ever neuroimaging studies of schizophrenia, major depression, bipolar disorder, epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, and even HIV infection.

    A million markers screened

    About this study

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    Support Groups Help Give You Hope

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    A diagnosis of dementia can be difficult for many people to deal with. It leads to depression, anger, and a myriad of other emotions. There are support groups available to help people dealing with the diagnosis and for their caregivers.

    People within these groups share their own methods of coping with the symptoms and how they deal with any episodes. One of the greatest ways to stave off the effects of dementia is to have hope.

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    Alzheimers Diet: 16 Foods To Fight Dementia + What To Avoid

    The best Alzheimers diet is Dr. Dale Bredesens KetoFLEX 12/3 diet. This slightly-flexible ketogenic diet can lower your risk of developing Alzheimers disease or dementia, especially in the earliest stages of cognitive decline.

    This revolutionary diet also encourages 12-hour fasting periods so the body has more time to repair cell damage. Make sure to not eat within 3 hours of going to bed either.

    By eating foods such as green leafy vegetables, fish, nuts, and even an occasional glass of red wine, you can reduce your chances of developing Alzheimers.

    Stay Mentally And Socially Active

    Engaging in mental or social activities may help to build up your brains ability to cope with disease, relieve stress and improve your mood. This means doing these activities may help to delay, or even prevent, dementia from developing.

    Find activities you enjoy that challenge your brain, and do them regularly. This could be puzzles or crosswords, but there are also many other activities you could do.

    Anything that engages your mind, processes information and develops your thinking skills is good for the brain and reducing your risk. For example:

    • any kind of adult education or learning
    • arts and crafts
    • playing a musical instrument or singing
    • doing brainteasers, such as puzzles, crosswords or quizzes
    • playing card games, chess or board games
    • reading books, or becoming a member of a book club
    • creative writing or keeping a diary
    • learning a new language.

    If you use a smartphone or tablet you might enjoy apps that can provide mental stimulation. These include puzzle, memory or board game apps.

    Social activities are also good for the brain, making them a great way to reduce your risk of getting dementia. This includes interacting with other people online as well as in person. This means its important to try to keep in touch with the people who matter to you, such as friends and family.

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    Increase Your Social Engagement

    Compelling research suggests seniors who spend most of their time in their immediate home environment are almost twice as likely to develop AD compared to those who travel more. These findings, however, may also reflect the general health of the individuals.

    The Mayo Clinic advises that being engaged with your surroundings is good for your mental, physical, and emotional health.

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