Dementia is a syndrome that causes memory loss, impaired reasoning,
and personality and behavioral changes. There are several types of
dementia:
Metaphorically, think of “dementia” as a brief case containing several internal sections.
Alzheimer’s is the largest section. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, people in
the US over age 65 with Alzheimer’s disease include:
Of the 6.7 million, almost two-thirds are female. Every 65 seconds, someone in the US
is diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. The cost is nearly $350 billion dollars annually.*
According to the National Institute on Aging, Alzheimer’s does not have a single genetic
cause in most cases. It can be influenced by multiple genes in combination with lifestyle
and environmental factors. Risk factors include a parent or sibling with Alzheimer’s,
Diabetes T1 or T2, midlife hypertension, physical inactivity, smoking, midlife obesity,
and other lifestyle choices.
In the past, an accurate diagnosis of Alzheimer’s (versus other dementias) was possible
only by an autopsy that showed the physical hallmarks of the disease; the beta amyloid
and tau proteins that look like plaques and tangles. Recently two additional diagnostic
strategies have become available: a PET scan and a sampling of cerebrospinal fluid.
They allow physicians to identify plaques and tangles with a reported 95% accuracy.
Although studies have tried to identify a cure, something that could reduce the amount
of beta-amyloid and tau proteins, nothing has been considered successful. Recently,
researchers began investigating what might be done to prevent the development of
plaques and tangles. Studies are now linking Alzheimer’s with inflammation and insulin
resistance in the brain. Specific factors that trigger brain inflammation have been
identified. For example, prior to the development of beta-amyloid and tau proteins
(plaques and tangles), the brain shows lower glucose metabolism along with a depletion
of energy (ATP) that is stored in the cells. This alteration in brain metabolism may
represent a significant contributor to the development of AD. To lower your risk, studies suggest making lifestyle choices that avoid or minimize triggering inflammation.
Researched contributors to brain inflammation include the following.
Fructose. In the initial stages of Alzheimer’s disease, brains have been found to be
high in fructose. An increase in fructose levels can alter brain metabolism and
negatively impact brain areas associated with Alzheimer’s. The high intake of salt, table
sugar, and high glycemic carbohydrates can stimulate the production of fructose in the brain.
The brain requires glucose to generate energy and perform a myriad of chemical processes. Obtain it from healthier carbohydrates and foods that typically are lower on
the Glycemic Index, such as:
Water. Make the purest water you can find your beverage of choice. Choose purified water if possible. Unless contraindicated, drink enough water to pee one or two pale urines per day. Dehydration itself can trigger inflammation in the brain. Avoid drinking water from thin plastic bottles as chemicals in the plastic can leak into the water. Carry water in stainless steel or sturdy glass containers. Per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are artificially manufactured toxic forever chemicals. They can increase inflammation and suppress immune system function. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reported finding PFAS in all but one of the US tap-water systems tested.
Alcohol. Avoid alcohol in any form, including red wine. In 2023 the World Health Organization stated that there is no safe amount of alcohol consumption that does not affect health. Period.
Aluminum. Unquestionably neurotoxic, aluminum has been found in all Alzheimer’s brains that have been studied. Evidence points to aluminum as a contributing factor in all forms of Alzheimer’s disease, acting as a catalyst for an earlier onset of the dementia. Whether it is the cause is unknown. Alzheimer’s may not be an inevitable consequence of aging in the absence of a brain burden of aluminum. Avoid aluminum products touching your food. Select cookware that is stainless steel or that states it is made without aluminum or has a ceramic coating that states it is free of PFAS, PFOS, PFOA.
Mediterranean food. Lean toward a Mediterranean or a DASH eating style that includes whole fruits and vegetables prepared as simply as possible, nuts and legumes, and preferably natural sourdough bread rather than commercial yeast-raised breads.
Vinegar. Acetate, the main component of vinegars, promotes neuroinflammation in the brain’s glial cells, which are responsible for feeding and nurturing the neurons. The changes produced can lead to dementia.
Read labels. Carry a small magnifying glass with you if necessary. Usually, the fewer the number of items in the ingredients list, the better. Try for under five items.
Conclusions. Research findings are pointing to lifestyle choices as potential triggers for the development of Alzheimer’s dementia. When asked to comment about recent research on Alzheimer’s, Dr. Richard Johnson at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus stated: “To date, there has never been—to our knowledge—a single pathway identified that can explain the disease from start to finish. The wonderful part is that it (recent research) suggests the disease should be preventable and potentially treatable, especially in the initial stages of the disease.”
Just imagine how life on Planet Earth could change if humans made lifestyle choices that reduced brain inflammation that slowed the onset or the rate of progression or that prevented Alzheimer’s dementia altogether. This would require lifestyle modifications in the way most individuals eat, drink, and live—perhaps in the way you eat, drink, and live. That beats Alzheimer’s hands down in my brain’s opinion.
* https://www.alz.org/media/documents/alzheimers-facts-and-figures.pdf
https://www.alzinfo.org/understand-alzheimers/alzheimers-disease-facts-and-statistics
