Dementia is a syndrome that results in memory loss, impaired reasoning, along with personality and behavioral changes. A 2024 review updated risk factors for dementias such as smoking, high blood pressure or hypertension, lower levels of education, untreated vision loss and hearing loss, smoking, obesity, diabetes, depression, physical inactivity, excessive alcohol consumption, traumatic brain injury or TBI, air pollution, high LDL cholesterol, social isolation or loneliness, a family history, inflammation and insulin resistance in the brain.
Metaphorically, think of “dementia” as a brief case with five internal divisions:
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, people in the US over age 65 with AD include:
Of the 6.7 million, almost two-thirds are female. Every 65 seconds, someone in the US is diagnosed with AD. The cost is nearly $350 billion dollars annually.
According to the National Institute on Aging, in most cases Alzheimer’s does not have a single genetic cause. It can be influenced by multiple genes in combination with lifestyle and environmental factors.
Although studies have tried for years to identify something that could reduce the amount of beta-amyloid and tau proteins, hallmarks of AD, 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 one’s risk, studies suggest making lifestyle choices that avoid or minimize triggering inflammation. Two diagnostic strategies—a PET scan and a sampling of cerebrospinal fluid—now allow physicians to identify plaques and tangles with a reported 95% accuracy. 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. Dehydration can trigger brain inflammation. Many elderly individuals are believed to be dehydrated as “thirst sensation” decreases with age. Make water your beverage of choice. Unless medically contraindicated, drink enough water to pee one or two pale urines per day. Choose purified water if possible. Recent studies report that Hydrogen Rich Water (HRW) can provide antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti- apoptotic effects. Avoid drinking water from thin plastic bottles as chemicals in the plastic can leak into the water. 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. Carry water with you in stainless steel or sturdy glass containers.
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.
Aluminum. Unquestionably neurotoxic, aluminum has been found in all AD brains that have been studied. Evidence points to aluminum as a contributing factor in all forms of AD. Whether it is the cause or just acts as a catalyst for an earlier onset of AD is unclear. Alzheimer’s may not be an inevitable consequence of aging in the absence of a brain burden of aluminum. Prevent aluminum products from touching your food. Select cookware that is stainless steel or that states it is made without aluminum or has a ceramic coating that 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.
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.”
Bottom line. Prevention will likely require lifestyle changes for most individuals. In comparison with AD, it is worth the work!
– https://www.alz.org/media/documents/alzheimers-facts-and-figures.pdf
– https://www.alzinfo.org/understand-alzheimers/alzheimers-disease-facts-and-statistics
– https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(24)01296-0/abstract
The word inflammation derives from the Latin verb inflammare, meaning
“to set on fire”—descriptive indeed of redness and heat. Aulus Cornelius
Celsus, a 1 st century Roman physician, is credited with being the first to
describe four key signs of inflammation: redness, heat, swelling, and
pain. A couple hundred years later, Galen, physician to Marcus Aurelius,
put two and two together, recognizing that inflammation was linked with
a reaction to injury.
In 1871 German Scientist Rudolf Virchow, sometimes called the father of modern pathology, described a fifth sign of inflammation: the loss of function in the involved area. Fast forward to the 1970’s when pharmacologist John Vane figured out that some nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) could block prostaglandins, pain-promoting hormones. Since then, a couple dozen drugs have been developed.
We now understand that inflammation is the brain-body immune system’s built-in defense mechanism against irritants or injury. This could involve a paper or knife cut, scratches and scrapes, recovery from surgery, a sliver or thorn in your finger, an insect bite or sting, broken bones, and the effects of chemicals or radiation. It could also include invasions of viruses, bacteria, and fungi—microorganisms that can trigger flu, colds, pneumonia, Valley Fever, and COVID-19. Inflammation is designed to help you recover, heal, and retain or regain function. This is potentially life-saving news.
Typically, inflammation is triggered as needed and returns to normal when the event is handled. Unfortunately, the immune system sometimes runs off the rails and launches an attack on the self, when there is no injury or invasion of microorganisms. It can initiate generalized and chronic inflammation, interfere with normal immune system function, and contribute to a variety of ongoing autoimmune and chronic diseases. Did you know that chronic inflammatory diseases are the most significant cause of illness and death worldwide? Estimates are that 70% of non-communicable diseases involve chronic inflammation. If they could be eliminated, 80% of heart disease, strokes, and diabetes could be prevented, along with 40% of cancers. Three of every five individuals around the world who die do so from a disease that has been linked to inflammation. This is shocking and potentially life-threatening news.
Many factors can contribute to chronic inflammation. These include:
Many medical conditions involve inflammation. Their names often end in “itis.”
Examples follow.
There is a deadly chronic disease whose name does not end in “itis.” Do you know what it is? Alzheimer’s Disease! It accounts for 60-70% of dementia types.
Researchers are evaluating long-term brain inflammation and associated neurological complications linked with Alzheimer’s. Studies are showing that:
Prevention involves strategies to build into your lifestyle and maintain for the rest of your life. For example:
Can inflammation be reduced? In many cases, yes. What can you do?
