Information and facts on Alzheimer's Disease

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Alzheimer's disease affects about 10% of people over 65 years old. This disease is a form of dementia and is the 4th leading cause of death for people over 60. Alzheimer's can also affect people as early as  their 40's. The disease includes progressive mental deterioration or memory loss and reduction of abstract thought processes as well. Symptoms include lack of concentration, depression, memory loss, personality changes, mood swings, disorientation, and loss of bladder and bowel control. Death can occur within 5 to 10 years. Death usually occurs in 5 to 10 years.

Alzheimer's disease is a common form of dementia or reduction in brain function. Over 4 million people in the USA alone, suffer from Alzheimer's disease. Affecting more than 10% of Americans over 65 years old and more than 50% of people over 85 years old. Dementia is now the 4th leading cause of death for people over 60, and Alzheimer's kills 100,000 people in the United States every year. But, Alzheimer's disease does not just affect older people, but can affect people in their 40's. The disease was first identified by a German neurologist Alois Alzheimer in 1907. Indicated by continual mental deterioration, that becomes so bad that it interferes with the person's ability to function at work or socially. Both their memory and abstract thought processes are reduced. Symptoms include depression, disoriented ideas of time and/or space, cannot concentrate, poor communication, loss of bladder control,  loss of bowel control, memory loss, personality changes, and bad mood swings. The person's health and functioning get worse and worse until the person is totally incapacitated. Death normally occurs between five to ten years. Alzheimer's disease was once considered just a psychological phenomenon, Alzheimer's disease is now known to be a degenerative disorder that is characterized by a specific set of physiological changes in the brain. Nerve fibers surrounding the hippocampus, the brain's memory center, become tangled, and information is no longer carried properly to or from the brain. New memories cannot be formed, and memories formed earlier cannot be retrieved. Characteristic plaques accumulate in the brain as well. These plaques are composed mainly of a protein-containing substance called betaamyloid. Researchers believe that this plaque builds up to damage nerve cells. Now people may worry that their forgetfulness is a sign of them getting Alzheimer's disease. But things like: forgetting where we put our keys or other things is not an indicator of having Alzheimer's. This is a good example of the difference between forgetfulness and dementia: If you do not remember where you put your keys, that is forgetfulness; if you do not remember that you have keys, that could be a sign of dementia. Other disorders can cause symptoms similar to those of Alzheimer's disease. Dementia may result from arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) that slowly cuts off the blood supply to the brain. The death of brain tissue from a series of minor strokes, or from pressure exerted by an accumulation of fluid in the brain, may also be a cause of dementia. 

Research also indicates a relationship between Alzheimer's disease and high concentrations of aluminum in the brain. Autopsies of people who have died of Alzheimer's disease show large amounts of aluminum in both the hippocampus and cerebral cortex areas of the brain. As well as the external layer of gray matter responsible for higher brain functions. It may be that exposure to excessive amounts of aluminum, especially if combined with a deficiency of critical vitamins and minerals, may either directly or indirectly make one more at risk to developing Alzheimer's disease. Aluminum is not the only metal that has been linked to Alzheimer's disease. The brains of people with Alzheimer's disease have been found to have higher than normal concentrations of the toxic metal mercury. For many people, the release of mercury from dental amalgams/fillings is the main cause of mercury exposure, and a direct link has been indicated between the amount of inorganic mercury in the brain and the number of amalgam surfaces in the mouth. Mercury from dental amalgam passes into body tissues, and it may accumulate in the human body over a period of time. Mercury exposure, especially from dental amalgams, could be a a major contributor to Alzheimer's disease. Many researchers believe that beta-amyloid is a key player in this memory destroying disease. This substance is not unique to just the brain, but it is produced in almost every cell in the body as a result of the degeneration of tissue. Amyloid, itself is not very toxic, but it is possible it may trigger dementia if a critical mass of it accumulates in the brain.

 

Nutrient / Supplement

Importance
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Helpful notes

Multi-vitamin & Mineral supplement 10 vitamin B complex, boron, calcium, magnesium, zinc, selenium, vitamin E all serve to help people with alzheimer's. A daily supplement provides nutrients needed by the body for good health and well being.
Inositol 10 Preliminary double-blind studies suggest that inositol may be useful for depression, panic disorder, Alzheimer's disease, and depression.
Boron 10 this mineral improves brain function 
Coenzyme Q10 10 increases oxygenation to body cells
Ginkgo Biloba 10 herb that serves as an anti-oxidant and helps to increase blood flow to the brain. Studies show it does help improve brain function which is useful to people with alzheimer's disease.
Lecithin 9 required for improved memory
Potassium 8 needed for electrolyte balance especially if you take blood pressure medication.
vitamin B 9 vitamin B helps brain function, reduce depression, and improve memory. Can be taken in a good multi-vitamin and mineral supplement.
vitamin B12 9 people with Alzheimer's tend to have low levels of vitamin B12 and zinc in their bodies. The B vitamins are important in cognitive functioning
vitamin B6 9 needed for memory
Zinc 9 The development of the neuro-fibrillary tangles and amybid plaques in the brain that are characteristic of the disease have been associated with zinc deficiency.
Grape seed extract anti oxidants that help protect brain cells 
Selenium 8 low intake of this mineral has been linked to heart disease and cardiovascular problems a good source for selenium is a natural multi-vitamin with complete mineral supplementation.
Carotenoids 9 often people with alzheimer's are not getting enough carotenoids in their diet
Calcium 7 has a calming effect and works well with magnesium

 

Other Changes To Make

  • drink 6-8 glasses of steam distilled or filtered water a day

  • eat 50% raw fruits and vegetables (organic is best)

  • nuts, seeds, and whole grains are good

  • juice is good (make your own with a juice machine)

  • do not worry as much about calories as eating the right foods

  • carrot and celery sticks are good to use as a snack

  • a colon cleansing can be very helpful - (do several times each year)

  • do not drink coffee, alcohol, soda pop, other junk food drinks

  • do not eat processed foods white sugar, white flour, etc...

  • use stress relief like going for walks in the park (or the 10/90 rule - see Stress)

  • brown rice is good to eat

  • avoid red meat and animal fats

  • reduce dairy products cheese, milk, and others

  • fast a few days a month

  • get at least 8 hours of sleep 

  • exercise light to moderate amounts

  • avoid artificial sweeteners like Aspartame and NutraSweet

  • do not smoke and avoid second hand smoke

  • do not skip meals - just eat better and not as much at each meal

  • do not chew gum - it can cause you to feel hungry

  • do not watch too much TV try reading a book or something else

All information presented on these web pages is not meant to diagnose, prescribe, or to administer to any physical ailments.
In all matters related to your health please contact a qualified, licensed Medical Consultant or Doctor.
Symmetry herbal and nutritional products for Women, Children, and Men includes vitamins, herb supplements, skin care, weight loss, water filters, sport's nutrition, and health maintenance. Giving you and your family an alternative natural way for prevention and healing treatment of disease - also to aid in well being of mind, body, and spirit.

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........Symmetry herbal and nutritional products for Women, Children, and Men includes vitamins, herb supplements, skin care, weight loss, water filters, sport's nutrition, and health maintenance. Giving you and your family an alternative natural way for prevention and healing treatment of disease - also to aid in well being of mind, body, and spirit.