One day a couple of years ago, I found this message in my cyber mailbox...
8 Ways to Prevent Alzheimer's
Tip of the Day 6/23/2009
Dr. Andrew Weil
Worried about Alzheimer's disease? While the exact cause of Alzheimer's
remains unclear, the greatest known risk factor is increasing age: the
chance of developing Alzheimer's seems to double every five years after age 65. After age 85, the risk of developing Alzheimer's is about 50 percent. If minimizing the risk of Alzheimer's is on your list of healthy life changes, add these steps to your daily routine:
1. Challenge yourself. A growing body of medical evidence suggests that
lifelong stimulation is the key to building and maintaining brain cells,
staving off memory loss and maybe even preventing Alzheimer's disease. Try doing interesting work (paid or volunteer), pursuing hobbies, engaging in an active social life, taking music or language lessons, or learning a new computer program.
2. Take a daily low-dose aspirin. Some studies link the use of aspirin
and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) with reduced risk of Alzheimer's.
3. Supplement with vitamins C and E. A study at Johns Hopkins
University suggested that vitamins C and E taken together might slow the progression of Alzheimer's.
4. Use a daily multivitamin that provides adequate levels of folic acid
and other B vitamins. They help the body reduce levels of homocysteine, an amino acid formed by the breakdown of animal protein that, at elevated levels in the bloodstream, has been linked with increased risks of Alzheimer's.
5. Use healing spices in your cooking. Turmeric, ginger and red pepper
can add zing to meals and are all natural anti-inflammatories .
6. Eat a diet rich in omega-3s, including wild Alaskan salmon,
sardines, freshly ground flaxseed and walnuts.
7. Incorporate plenty of fresh, organic fruits and vegetables in your
meals.
8. Reduce your intake of polyunsaturated vegetable oils (such as
sunflower, corn and safflower oils), replacing them instead with
extra-virgin olive oil.
