Stop Alzheimer's Before It Begins

You may not be thinking about Alzheimer's disease if you are not over 65. Yet the most important time to begin to pay attention is in your 30's and 40's. This year, new data from the Center for Disease Control shows that our lifespan in the U.S. is continuing to decline. Data shows that mortality rates increased significantly between 2014 and 2015. There was a 1% increased in both diabetes and heart disease, which are common chronic health conditions. Yet the most disturbing increase is for Alzheimer's Disease, where the mortality rate went up 19% in just one year. Whoa! We have to figure out why, now!

Diabetes is now a global epidemic. The number of diabetics has grown by 165% just since 2001 exceeding the rate projected just a few years ago. Studies show a link between diabetes and Alzheimer’s, actually calling Alzheimer’s Type III diabetes. So when more people have diabetes, more people will develop Alzheimer's. Type II diabetes is caused by an inefficiency to use insulin effectively, and our brain needs to use insulin too, similar to the way the pancreas needs to keep our metabolism in balance. One cause of brain plaque is an imbalance of insulin and leptin hormone levels over time.

What is causing this great increase in diabetes? A diet of processed foods and too much sugar is basically to blame. Americans eat 70% processed foods that come in boxes and bags. These foods have thousands of chemicals that keep these foods from deteriorating, yet also affect your energy metabolism. We need to eat a real food diet. These are foods that don't have nutrition labels, like whole fruits or vegetables. Or if there is a nutrition label, there should be 4 or less recognizable ingredients on the label.

Americans eat about 150 pounds of sugar per year. Sugar should be kept below 25 grams per day, which about one serving of granola or one serving of yogurt with added fruit. Satisfy your sugar cravings with good fats instead, from avocados, coconut oil, and raw nuts.

Common medications also affect the growth in Alzheimer's disease. Statin drugs are known to increase the rate of diabetes by 87%, and according to an AARP magazine article have a high risk factor for Alzheimer’s. Statin drugs are used to lower cholesterol, yet also affect 4 energy pathways in our body taking out our ability to create energy in our cells. Specific combinations of high blood pressure medications are also a factor. I remember when my father was diagnosed with diabetes due to the combination of the 2 types of blood pressure medications he took. He was very upset with his doctor for not telling his about this risk. Also many people take anti-acids for heartburn. This medication affects your ability to absorb calcium and vitamin B12. Both important nutrients needed for your nervous system and memory.

Exercise and regular movement is needed strengthen neuron connections in your brain. With just 30 minutes of active movement 3 or 4 times per week we can improve brain function. Weight training is not just needed for muscle health. It also helps with brain circulation.

Getting to bed before 11 pm also helps. Our neurotransmitters regenerate between 11 pm and 1 am. If you are not sleeping during those hours, you will have more memory issues because of lower acetylcholine levels.

People with sleep apnea or snoring have more memory loss occurring earlier in life. I used to have sleep apnea and with a simple solution have reversed it. By doing this my own blood pressure has improved greatly, and my overall energy has increased.

As of 2015, Alzheimer's disease is now the 3rd leading cause of death after heart disease and cancer. It has jumped from 6th place just a few years earlier. One of the causes of memory loss is due to a buildup of toxic proteins in the brain. Your dietary and other lifestyle factors cause these proteins to create plaque in the brain. The greatest fear for many people is to lose their ability to think and to care for themselves. We just don't want to burden others as we get older. Keeping our independence is important. Where can you improve your lifestyle factors? Studies show that by incorporating a low sugar, real food diet, regular exercise, and good sleep we can cut in half the number of Alzheimer's cases.

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Stop Alzheimer's Before It Begins

Alzheimer's rate are increasing drastically. Find out how to cut in half your risk of this disease.

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