By Dr. Allan Spreen on 08/10/2011
Despite Big Pharma's best attempts... drugs can't cure or even reverse Alzheimer's disease (AD). To make matters worse, the mainstream press makes it sound like there's no earthly way to prevent it.
But that's a crock.
Two leading experts say that we know exactly what causes MORE THAN HALF of all the AD cases around the world... and these cases are perfectly preventable! Unfortunately, the hard truth gets zero play in the mainstream press.
Just consider this...
The day after this important study hit the newswire, USA Today ran a story about Alzheimer's disease and antidepressants. I can picture the editor in the newsroom...okay, should we run a story about how to prevent Alzheimer's disease... or should we write about Alzheimer's and Zoloft? Zoloft will win that coin toss every time!
How many times have I said it? Prevention just isn't sexy.
Well, it might not be sexy. But it does work. In fact...
We can stop ½ of all Alzheimer’s cases -- right now!
Today, about 34 million people in the world live with Alzheimer's disease. But according to Dr. Deborah Barnes and Dr. Kristine Yaffe, about half of the cases were totally and completely preventable.
Both women are professors at the University of California, San Francisco. They analyzed data from several different studies and came up with a list of seven deadly Alzheimer's sins.
Now, I have to admit...
The last few deadly sins on the list aren't terribly surprising. Risk factors #3 through #7 (in descending order) are: smoking, mid-life hypertension, mid-life obesity, low education, and diabetes.
So, if you smoke or have high blood pressure in your 40s, your risk goes up. And if you carry too much weight in your 40s or get diabetes, that's a risk factor too. Low levels of education are also a risk factor. I imagine that shows the need to find quality healthcare throughout your life. That's always important.
But the #1 and #2 deadly sins certainly surprised the heck out of me. In fact, they're not what most people think about when the worry about getting Alzheimer's.
Research turns up surprising #2 deadly sin
The #2 risk factor is depression. Yep. Depression.
Apparently, chronic depression does more than just affect your mood. It affects your brain in ways we do not fully understand. So strive to keep the blues at bay.
To do this, you'll want to make sure you take vitamin D, a B complex, and fish oil each day as I've told you before. In addition, studies show that one key plant extract may cut your depression symptoms by up to 80 percent!
Plus, here's the...
Shocking #1 deadly sin you should avoid at all costs!
Believe it or not, the #1 deadly sin is to sit on the couch! Yes, leading a sedentary lifestyle is the #1 worst thing you can do if you want to ward off Alzheimer's disease.
In fact...
According to the recent study, the professors say this alone increases your risk of getting Alzheimer's disease by more than 20 percent. In fact, they say 1 in 5 older adults in the U.S. will get Alzheimer's disease simply because they don't get up and move.
Plus...
The UCSF Profs aren't alone. In another recent study, French researchers followed nearly 2,000 high-risk women for seven years. Over this period, the researchers gave the women a series of cognitive and memory tests. They also asked the women about their level of physical activity.
Here's what they discovered...
How to turn back your brain's age
Women who stayed more physically active tested far better than women who didn't remain active. In fact, they scored as well as someone five to seven years younger!
So how did these brain-fit women stay physically fit? Did they run triathlons or swim 20 miles a day?
Nope.
They walked.
For like 30 minutes a day. And, yes, this literally helped them to turn back their brains' age.
According to Professor Barnes, "some very simple lifestyle changes, such as increasing physical activity and quitting smoking, could have a tremendous impact on preventing Alzheimer's and other dementias in the United States and worldwide."
Call me crazy, but the new research is profoundly comforting to me. It's not out of our hands, after all! And while we may not have a drug that can cure it, we sure know how to reduce our risk.
So get out there and get moving. (See, my ultra-cool three-wheeled bike idea doesn't seem so crazy now, does it?)
Related articles of interest:
The “morning ritual” that fights brain aging and Alzheimer’s
Fight Alzheimer’s With These Two All-natural Remedies
Fighting Alzheimer’s Disease With a Breakfast Brew
Three Herbs That Help Fight Alzheimer's
http://www.healthiertalk.com/7-deadly-alzheimers-sins-they-dont-tell-you-4451
