Alzheimer's disease — the most common form of dementia for which there is no effective conventional treatment or cure — currently affects an estimated 5.8 million Americans,1 up from 5.4 million in 2016. By 2050, that figure is projected to hit 14 million.2 Research3 published in 2014 revealed Alzheimer's had risen to the point of being the third leading cause of death in the U.S.4 For clarification, while the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to list Alzheimer's as the sixth leading cause of death in the U.S.,5 this ranking is based on death certificates, and the study in question found Alzheimer's was grossly underreported as a cause of death on death certificates. Recalculations based on the evaluation of donated organs from the diseased put the actual death toll attributable to dementia at 503,400, making it the third leading cause of death, right behind heart disease and cancer. According to CDC data, the death rate from Alzheimer's rose 55 percent between 1999 and 2014.6,7 Now, the latest report from the National Center for Health Statistics reveals the rate of death from dementia more than doubled between 2000 and 2017, from 84,000 to 261,914.8,9,10 Forty-six percent of dementia deaths in 2017 were attributed to Alzheimer's. Other forms of dementia included vascular dementia, unspecified dementia and other degenerative nervous system diseases. But again, this data is based on death certificates, which the CDC admits (and the 2014 study above demonstrated) underrepresents the true death toll. Could Your Memory Problems Be a Symptom of Alzheimer's?As noted by CNN, progression of Alzheimer's disease varies, but often begin with short-term memory lapses that later progress to speech problems and trouble with executive functions.11 If changes in your memory or thinking skills are severe enough to be noticed by your friends and family you could be facing mild cognitive impairment (MCI). MCI is a slight decline in cognitive abilities that increases your risk of developing more serious dementia, including Alzheimer's disease. If your mental changes are so significant that they interfere with your ability to function or live independently, it could signal the onset of dementia. For instance, it's normal to have trouble finding the right word on occasion, but if you forget words frequently and repeat phrases and stories during a conversation, there could be a problem. The video above reviews 10 early warning signs of Alzheimer's, and compares these signs with examples of typical age-related cognitive changes that are not a major cause for concern. You can also find a similar list compiled by the Alzheimer's Association.12 Another red flag is getting lost or disoriented in familiar places (as opposed to needing to ask for directions on occasion). If you're able to later describe a time when you were forgetful, such as misplacing your keys, that's a good sign; a more serious signal is not being able to recall situations when memory loss caused a problem, even though your loved ones describe it to you. Other warning signs of MCI or dementia include:
If Your Memory Is Slipping, Switch to a Ketogenic DietIf your memory slips often enough to put even an inkling of concern or doubt in your mind, it's time to take action. A high-fat, moderate-protein, low-net-carb ketogenic diet is crucial for protecting your brain health and preventing degeneration that can lead to Alzheimer's. One of the most striking studies13 showing the effects of a high-fat/low-carb versus high-carb diets on brain health revealed that high-carb diets increase your risk of dementia by a whopping 89 percent, while high-fat diets lower it by 44 percent. According to the authors, "A dietary pattern with relatively high caloric intake from carbohydrates and low caloric intake from fat and proteins may increase the risk of mild cognitive impairment or dementia in elderly persons." A ketogenic diet benefits your brain in a number of different ways. For example, it: • Triggers ketone production -- A cyclical ketogenic diet will help you convert from carb-burning mode to fat-burning mode, which in turn triggers your body to produce ketones, an important source of energy (fuel) for your brain14 that have been shown to help prevent brain atrophy and alleviate symptoms of Alzheimer's.15 They may even restore and renew neuron and nerve function in your brain after damage has set in. • Improves your insulin sensitivity -- A cyclical ketogenic diet will also improve your insulin sensitivity, which is an important factor in Alzheimer's.16 The link between insulin sensitivity and Alzheimer's is so strong, the disease is sometimes referred to as Type 3 diabetes. Even mild elevation of blood sugar is associated with an elevated risk for dementia.17 Diabetes and heart disease18 are also known to elevate your risk, and both are rooted in insulin resistance. The connection between high-sugar diets and Alzheimer's was also highlighted in a longitudinal study published in the journal Diabetologia in January 2018.19 Nearly 5,190 individuals were followed over a decade, and the results showed that the higher an individual's blood sugar, the faster their rate of cognitive decline. Studies have also confirmed that the greater an individual's insulin resistance, the less sugar they have in key parts of their brain, and these areas typically correspond to the areas affected by Alzheimer's.20,21 • Reduces free radical damage and lowers inflammation in your brain -- Ketones not only burn very efficiently and are a superior fuel for your brain, but also generate fewer reactive oxygen species and less free radical damage. A ketone called beta hydroxybutyrate is also a major epigenetic player, stimulating radical decreases in oxidative stress by decreasing NF-kB, thus reducing inflammation and NADPH levels along with beneficial changes in DNA expression that improve your detoxification and antioxidant production. I explain the ins and outs of implementing this kind of diet, and its many health benefits, in my new book "KetoFast." In it, I also explain why cycling through stages of feast and famine, opposed to continuously remaining in nutritional ketosis, is so important. What Do We Know About the Causes of Alzheimer's Disease?It's often said that the underlying causes of Alzheimer's disease are unknown, but there's no shortage of theories. Insulin resistance, discussed above, appears to be a really significant factor, but it's not the only one. Based on the available science, here are several other prominent or likely culprits that can raise your risk of Alzheimer's disease, and suggestions for how to avoid them:
Additional Alzheimer's Preventive StrategiesIn 2014, Bredesen published a paper that demonstrates the power of lifestyle choices for the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's. By leveraging 36 healthy lifestyle parameters, he was able to reverse Alzheimer's in 9 out of 10 patients. This included the use of exercise, ketogenic diet, optimizing vitamin D and other hormones, increasing sleep, meditation, detoxification and eliminating gluten and processed food. You can download Bredesen's full-text case paper online, which details the full program.48 Following are a few lifestyle strategies that, in addition to those already mentioned above, can be helpful for the prevention of dementia and Alzheimer's.
from http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2019/03/28/alzheimers-death-rate-doubled.aspx
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Nia Pure NatureThe Provider of premium Quality Health Products To Live Better Lives Archives
March 2022
Categories |