Can lifestyle prevent Alzheimer’s?

(SEPTEMBER is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month)

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Alzheimer’s disease is just one of many different types of “dementia”, all of which will result in a decline in mental function, especially memory. Dementia interferes with daily activities and social relationships and usually runs a progressive course. Dementia is usually irreversible and ultimately fatal. The most common types include: Alzheimer’s disease, Vascular dementia, Dementia with Lewy Bodies (eg abnormal appearances in brain tissue), Fronto-temporal dementia including Pick’s disease(eg slow onset of memory loss), and Alcohol related brain damage.

Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI) commemorates 25 years of continuing progress for the worldwide dementia movement, with advances in research and medication and greater recognition from the World Health Organisation (who). In ADI’s very informative April 2009 newsletter Global Perspective, Henry Brodaty, Chairman of ADI’S Medical and Scientific Advisory Panel (MSAP), gives a detailed update on “research” carried out by the panel of medical and research professionals, which was launched on September 15, 1989, to provide advice and information when necessary and to represent ADI worldwide.

“Can lifestyle prevent Alzheimer’s?” asks Brodaty. “It’s a tantalising tale but is it true? Can we really eat, drink, exercise, socialise and think our way out of Alzheimer’s way? Are vitamins, Ginkgo, Brahmi, fruit/vegetable juice and red wine, the elixirs for youthful brains? Or, is it all too late? Are the tangled ravages described by Dr Alois Alzheimer 103 years ago determined by our genes and hard-wired into our brains from our conception?

“The answer is yes... and no. Genes are important but not enough. For most people, certain genes increase the risk but do not necessarily cause the disease and Alzheimer’s disease can develop without these genes....So environment is important but which elements are protective and which are hazardous? The evidence largely comes from population or epidemiological studies, and from laboratory work in test tubes or with animals, usually mice.”

Brodaty goes into great detail about the various studies, some of which have reported protective effects for education, regular physical exercise, mental activities, fluids rich in anti-oxidants and polyphenols, such as, fruit or vegetable juice, wine and green tea, fish, long term use of certain medications — non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, cholesterol drugs, and hormone replacement therapy. The flip side, which produce the risk factors, include high blood pressure, diabetes (TYPE 11), obesity, high fat diets, high cholesterol, head injury, loneliness, lack of education, lack of exercise, depression, low birth weight for gestational age and smaller head circumference.

The MSAP chairman points out that in other research using the gold standard, a randomised controlled trial in which one group of people is randomised so that say, half receive the intervention — for example, a drug or exercise — and the other half do not — for example, they take a placebo or perform usual activities, there can be contradictions. For example, in the case of hormone replacement therapy, it was found to be a risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease completely overturning the epidemiological findings. On the other hand, a randomised controlled trial of walking three times a week by people aged 65 or more demonstrated improvement of cognition over 12 months compared to controls who continued usual lack of exercise.

“The bewildered consumer” says Brodaty “should note several important points. Firstly there is no absolute prevention against Alzheimer’s disease. Secondly, prevention often means postponement rather than eradication of the disease. This is of great consequence as Alzheimer’s disease is a condition that comes on at the end of life for most, so delaying onset of Alzheimer’s disease by five years is reported to reduce the number of cases by half. Thirdly, until reports are confirmed by a number of groups around the world, consumers should be wary of media hyperbole.”

What should we all do? The best evidence for prevention is regular physical exercise, mental activity and blood pressure control,. In general, what is good for your heart is good for your brain.” ...http://www.newsday.co.tt

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Increased intakes of the compound quercetin, found in onions and apples, may reduce the risk of developing cancer of the colon by 50 per cent, says a new study. ...http://www.nutraingredients.com

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