Healthy ways for prevention and recovery from Alzheimer’s disease

Posted by editor8 on Friday 20 Feb 2009

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Alzheimer’s disease affects millions of elderly people above the age of 65-70 years in almost all the countries of the world today. More than a century after the discovery of the disease, however, Alzheimer’s remains an incurable and eventually fatal neurological disorder, and its incidence among the elderly may even increase over the years.

Alzheimer’s disease is a neurological disorder classified as a kind of dementia among the aged. It is a degenerative disorder and after its onset, initial symptoms worsen rapidly. The patient loses his inability to form short-term memories, leading to a disruption in the knowledge of everyday objects and activities. Eventually, long-term memory loss sets in, and the patient may fail to recognize his/her spouse, friends and relatives.

Behavioral and cognitive disorders also set in, and the patient’s mental acuity, judgment and thinking potential are slowly destroyed. The sufferer becomes irritable, withdrawn and unable to retain control over his mental and emotional outbursts. Taking care of an Alzheimer’s patient can become very difficult, and this includes psychological and economic costs. The loss of body functions may eventually result in the death of the patient.

Causes and prevention

Alzheimer’s is usually associated with a loss of neurons and neuron signaling in the brain, leading to the inability to make new memories or participate in everyday cognitive tasks. The effect of anti-inflammatory drugs and medication on Alzheimer’s remains debatable. However, a good diet and lifestyle balance can prevent the onset of the disease.

Diet

The presence of Vitamin B and C foods in the diet of a middle-aged or elderly person is a must. Anti-oxidants like Vitamin E can reduce the effects of aging in the brain – fish oils are especially rich in them. A very healthy practice is to drink at least two or three glasses of vegetable and fruit juices a day. Turmeric powder is widely revered for soothing neurological disorders like Alzheimer’s. Activities like brisk walking, breathing exercises, creative exercises, jogging and exposure to natural sunlight are very important for older patients, as they ensure proper blood flow to the brain.

Among natural herbs, Brahmi (Bacopa) is revered for its ease in revitalizing neuron and motor function and memory, and is very helpful in the prevention of Alzheimer’s. The herb is available as nutritional supplements.