 |
print the page |  |
email the page |  |
|
- What is Alzheimer's disease?
- Symptoms of Alzheimer's disease
- Causes of Alzheimer's disease
- Prevention of Alzheimer's disease
- Risk factors for Alzheimer's disease
- Complications of Alzheimer's disease
- When to see a doctor about Alzheimer's disease
- Diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease
- Conventional treatment of Alzheimer's disease
- Alternative/complementary treatment of Alzheimer's disease
- Living with Alzheimer's disease
- Caring for someone with Alzheimer's disease
Living with Alzheimer's disease
Living with Alzheimer's disease is focused mainly on managing symptoms, to prevent them from getting worse in order to get a better quality of life:
- Avoid antacids containing aluminium - this is to ensure that the brain does not accumulate any more aluminium which is one of the possible risk factors for the development this disease
- Avoid aluminium cookware - this is because the food cooked in the aluminium pots / pans may absorb some of the aluminium and it is absorbed by the body, which may put a greater burden on the person with Alzheimer's disease which is not necessary
- Avoid aluminium cans - it is recommended to avoid fluids in aluminium cans that contain citric acid, oxalic acid, malic acid or lactic acid, as they can cause the aluminium to be more easily absorbed by the body. This means, all soft drinks, all cola drinks and even milk drinks are banned
- Calendar - people with Alzheimer's disease need to help boost their memory function and a simple way to do this is with a calendar that can be carried around. The calendar is best if it is started before memory problems become too severe, as it may not work so well in that stage of the disease. A calendar can be used to note certain events, people's birthdays, daily activities, to do lists and to even jot down what happened during the day and use it as a memory exercise to go over those events the next day, to try to recall them
- Eat more eggs - the latest scientific advise is that eggs are safe to eat, even for people who have high blood levels of LDL ("bad") cholesterol. The yolk of eggs is especially packed full of omega-3 fatty acids, choline and antioxidants, especially if the chickens that have laid the eggs have been fed organically and raised in a free range environment. Choline is vitally important for brain health, as it is needed to synthesise the neurotransmitter, acetylcholine, which appears to be very low in people with Alzheimer's disease. People without any cholesterol problems can eat one egg each day, but people who have cholesterol problems should seek their doctor's advice about how many eggs they can eat
Advertisement
- Exercise regularly - the brain requires proper circulation, to enable the nutrients that the blood supplies to be delivered properly and efficiently. People who exercise usually have a better circulatory system, which significantly decreases the risk of Alzheimer's disease from developing, or reduces the progression of the disease in people with existing Alzheimer's
- Filter all drinking/cooking water - this should be done through a reverse osmosis process to remove as much of the heavy metals from the water and reduce any further stress on the brain
- Healthy diet - a diet which is rich in fresh fruit and vegetables and little red meat, is the optimal diet for someone who has Alzheimer's disease. At least two pieces of fruit should be eaten each day, plus around 5-7 portions of vegetables, with some of them raw. Leafy green vegetables are especially full of antioxidants and nutrients. The diet should also include adequate amounts of healthy fats (cold pressed olive oil, avocado, nuts, seeds), legumes (chickpeas, beans), wholegrains, some cold water fish (mackerel, salmon, sardines, trout, tuna), some poultry (1-2 times a week)
- Limit sugar and processed foods - any type of sugar, including both white and brown should be strictly limited in the diet, as several studies show that excessive amounts of sugar may be linked to cognitive (memory) decline, especially in people with any type of glucose or insulin problems
- Limit saturated fat - studies show the type of fat that is eaten, has a big impact on the health of not just the heart, but also the brain and excessive intake of saturated fat is linked to heart disease and poor circulation (through blocked blood vessels. Saturated fats from red meat, full fat dairy (especially butter, sour cream, and cream) as well as processed and junk foods, should be strictly limited in the diet to maintain better brain (and cardiovascular) health
- Regular medical check-ups - people with Alzheimer's disease should ensure they are visiting their doctor on a regular basis, to check on progress of the disease and symptoms, as well as to to monitor medication (or supplements) being taken and to adjust dosage if required
There are always new breakthroughs that occur all the time in the study of Alzheimer's disease, but the cure is not yet available.
Advertisement
Sections: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
< 10: alternative treatment 12: caregiving > Last reviewed: 7 October 2007 || Last updated: 12 March 2009
Related Articles
NOTE: Mega doses of any type of vitamin, mineral, amino acid or herbal supplement cannot cure illnesses and in fact can be very dangerous and produce toxic side effects and interfere with medicine you are taking. Always ensure you consult your doctor before taking any type of complementary supplements.
Disclaimer: This guide is not intended to be used for diagnostic or prescriptive purposes. For any treatment or diagnosis of illness, please see your doctor.
