How to Avoid the Coming Alzheimer’s Epidemic

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http://www.mercola.com/2003/sep/3/alzheimers_epidemic.htm

 

 

How to Avoid the Coming Alzheimer’s Epidemic

 

 

 

By Dr. Joseph Mercola

with Rachael Droege

 

As the population continues to age, the number of people with Alzheimer’s

disease is expected to increase some 70 percent, as the greatest known risk

factor of Alzheimer’s is age. About 4.5 million people are affected today and it

is estimated that this number will increase to 7.7 million by 2030.

 

Experts are calling this great increase in Alzheimer’s cases a “looming public

health disaster” that could potentially turn into an unmanageable health care

crisis. Aside from the great emotional and physical toll the disease can take,

an Alzheimer’s epidemic will have devastating consequences for the health care

economy. Already, U.S. businesses spend $61 billion on Alzheimer’s each year for

medical expenses and loss of productivity, and economic studies estimate that

Medicare spending on Alzheimer’s will rise 54 percent to $49.3 billion, and

Medicaid costs will rise 80 percent to $33 billion by 2010.

 

What’s important to understand, though, is that Alzheimer’s disease is not a

normal part of aging, and there are ways to reduce your chances of getting the

disease.

 

Eat a Nutritious Diet

 

While family history and genetics are thought to play a role in Alzheimer’s,

factors that can be controlled by diet, including high cholesterol and high

blood pressure, have also been found to increase the risk for developing

Alzheimer’s.

 

One of the best things you can do to prevent dementia--and a variety of other

chronic disease--is to follow the diet described in my new book. The premise is

to increase the amount of fresh vegetables, which are high in folate, in your

diet and restrict grains and sugars. More likely than not, this will resolve

cholesterol and blood pressure issues. It will also strengthen your body,

allowing it to fight off a host of diseases, not to mention give you increased

amounts of energy. You can check out my nutrition plan to get started.

 

Exercise

 

We all know that exercise is good for our cardiovascular system, but studies

have found that exercise can also protect the brain, thereby warding off

Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.

 

According to one study, the odds of developing Alzheimer's were nearly

quadrupled in people who were less active during their leisure time, between the

ages of 20 and 60, compared with their peers.

 

Similar to a healthy diet, regular physical activity is one of those things that

can significantly improve many aspects of your physical and emotional health.

For the elderly, simple activities such as walking and light weight training

would likely provide benefits. For those who are younger, more strenuous

exercise may heighten the benefits.

 

Avoid and Remove Mercury From Your Body

 

Even trace amounts of mercury can cause the type of damage to nerves that is

characteristic of the damage found in Alzheimer's disease. Dental amalgam

fillings are one of the major sources of mercury, however you should be healthy

prior to having them removed. Once you have adjusted to following the diet

described in my new book, you can follow the mercury detox protocol and then

find a biological dentist to possibly have your amalgams removed.

 

Other sources of mercury include seafood, thimerosal-containing vaccinations and

flu shots, which contain both mercury and aluminum.

 

Avoid Aluminum

 

Aluminum has been widely associated with Alzheimer’s disease. Your main sources

of exposure are likely through drinking water and antiperspirants.

 

Aluminum cookware may also be a source of exposure. Although aluminum pots are

probably less problematic than the sources mentioned above, I personally would

not use aluminum cookware.

 

Challenge Your Mind

 

Mental stimulation, such as traveling, learning to play an instrument or doing

crossword puzzles, is associated with a decreased risk of Alzheimer’s.

Researchers suspect that mental challenge helps to build up the brain, making it

less susceptible to the lesions associated with Alzheimer’s disease.

 

 

Related Articles:

Mental Stimulation Keeps Alzheimer’s Away

 

Aluminum in Water May Increase Alzheimer's Risk

 

Early Alzheimer's Treatment Can Cut Costs

 

Alzheimer's Vaccine Causes Life-Threatening Side Effects

 

Drugs Fail to Slow Alzheimer's

 

You Don’t Have to Get Alzheimer's

 

 

 

 

 

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