Increased Deaths with the Use of Alzheimer’s Drugs

I share with you today an email sent to me by William O. Douglass M.D. his concern is the alrming statistics related to the common use of big pharma alzheimer’s drugs. I offer this without comment as I believe Dr Douglass says it all with the help of study statistics:

Dear Friend,

Let me bring you up to speed on the use of anti-psychotic drugs used to treat dementia patients.

First of all, a 2006 study showed that Alzheimer’s patients who took these drugs had no significant improvement over placebos. We also know that these drugs can cause some serious side effects in Alzheimer’s patients, such as an increased risk of stroke and respiratory issues. And another study linked the use of "atypical" antipsychotic drugs to an increased risk of sudden cardiac death – even in younger patients.

Now a study shows that the anti-psychotic drugs that are commonly prescribed to treat Alzheimer’s could actually double a patient’s risk of dying within a few years. The lead author of this study, Clive Ballard of the Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases at King’s College London, says that risk of death likely outweighs the benefit of these drugs.

Well, no kidding! I have yet to see anything good come from loading these helpless elderly people up on anti-psychotic drugs that were never even intended to be used in this way.

Ballard’s study tracked 165 Alzheimer’s patients aged 67 to 100. Half continued on their course of anti-psychotics, while the other half were took placebos.

At the end of two years, 71 percent of the placebo group were still alive – but only 46 percent of the group on anti-psychotics survived.

After three years, just 30 percent of those taking the anti-psychotics were alive, while 59 percent of the placebo group were still going strong.

Yet in spite of the increasing evidence of the dangers of these anti-psychotic drugs such as Risperdal, Thorazine, and Stelazine (as well as other derivatives like risperidone, quetiapine, and olanzapine), they racked up a staggering $14.5 billion in international sales in 2007. These are three of the top 10 best-selling drugs on the planet.

These drugs were never meant to be used long-term, yet as many as 60 percent of nursing home residents with dementia are placed on anti-psychotic regimens that last as long as two years.

William Thies of the Alzheimer’s Association said that "at some points, some people will be better off with no medication." I doubt that’s something that the Big Pharma companies that paid for this study will want to hear.

William Campbell Douglass II, M.D.
 

Today I want to share an email I received from Dr Al Sears. I have a lot of respect for Dr Sears willingness to go outside the traditional medical box so to speak in his thinking. This is true especially in his approach to the nutritional aspect of health issues. In this missive he addresses the hazards of sticky proteins which are suspect as a cause of Alzheimer’s disease and a number of other diseases associated with aging. The prevention of Alzheimer’s is the challenge of researchers worldwide and we must take every opportunity to reduce the risks inherent in lifestyle choices that increase our chances of age related dementia. Keep in mind that there is no intention to offer medical advice in the pages of this website. We are just sharing with you information related to the causes, treatment and prevention of the disease in the hope that you will use this info to further educate yourself on the subject. Here is Dr Sears Email:

The Hidden Dangers of Cooking
Dear Member,

Before you cook that chicken breast to a perfect golden brown or caramelize those onions to add to your favorite dish, you may want to heed the latest research.

Browning your food – the cooking term is “caramelizing” – occurs when sugar molecules attach to protein.

Though your taste buds are enjoying the party, the rest of your body is paying the price.
When the sugar attaches to the protein, a series of other reactions occur called glycation that causes proteins to stick together. When proteins stick together, it is called “cross linking”. The official term for these cross-linked proteins is Advanced Glycation End products, or AGEs.

When these “sticky proteins,” or AGEs, build up, that’s when the real trouble begins. These AGEs can gather in any number of tissues in the body, and the basic result is that the tissue gets “stiffer”. When tissues get stiffer, they don’t work as they should.

AGEs have been associated with a number of diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease, and cancer.

Preventing the build up of AGEs may be an important factor in preventing many age-related diseases. Here are a few things you can do:

Avoid a diet heavy in foods that have been heated for prolonged periods of time, particularly meats, fats, and broiled foods. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t eat quality meat, just don’t overcook and prevent browning if possible. Cooking with water prevents caramelizing – like steaming or boiling.

AGEs can be inhaled through cigarette smoke.  As if you needed another reason to quit!
Here are some supplements that have been shown to slow down AGE formation:
Carnosine – An excellent overall antioxidant, carnosine hasbeen shown to prevent cross linking. Carnosine levels drop dramaticallywhen we age, so supplementation is a good idea, 100 – 200mg a day.

Pyridoxine (vitamin B6) – Has been shown to reduce AGE formation. Vitamin B6 is also a good antioxidant and helps with metabolism of carbohydrates. 300-500 mg a day.
Thiamine (vitamin B1) – Another good substance to slow down AGE formation. An important part of carbohydrate metabolism, vitamin B1 is also known to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. 1.5 mg a day.

An important note, high blood sugar levels can greatly increase cross linking and AGEs. So avoid a high sugar diet, or your sweet tooth may cost you more than an extra trip to the dentist.

To Your Good Health,

Al Sears MD

Additional Risk Factors Associated with Alzheimer’s Disease

Here is an excerpt from a New York Times Article Alzheimer’s an in Depth Report which ran a while ago.It gave a good accounting of the disease we call Alzheimer’s disease including the iformation provided here in this segment.. This particular excerpt is in reference to what the article calls other risk factors in the development of Alzheimer’s disease:

"Lower Education and Economic Groups. A number of studies have reported either a higher risk for Alzheimer’s disease in people with less education or a lower risk for Alzheimer’s disease in those who remain mentally active. Some experts speculate that learning itself may stimulate more neurons to grow and thus create a larger reserve in the brain so that it takes longer for brain cells to be destroyed. Some evidence suggests that early malnutrition, which is more likely to occur in lower income and educational groups, has been associated with smaller brains and with Alzheimer’s disease in old age. Low-birth weight can cause problems in growth factors that could affect both mental and physical health later on in adulthood.

Small Head Size. The size of the skull is fixed by age 7. Brain size approximates the head size until old age, when it begins to shrink. Some evidence has reported an association between small head size (and therefore less brain volume) and Alzheimer’s disease, possibly because people who start with larger brains can sustain more injury over time. For example, a 2002 study indicated that it was reduction in overall brain volume, not specific regions, that contributed to mental impairment in older healthy adults. Another study reported that people who had small heads plus the ApoE4 gene had 14 times the risk for Alzheimer’s disease than those without this combination. Nevertheless, other studies have found no association between a small head size and Alzheimer’s disease.

Some experts suggest that the relationship observed in other research may simply be due to social and economic factors, such as malnutrition or low birth weight, which have been associated with both Alzheimer’s disease and small head size. Small head size independent of other factors, they argue, does not pose a higher risk for either Alzheimer’s disease or low intelligence

Depression. There is a significant overlap between depression and dementia in the elderly. In fact depression itself is often an early symptom of Alzheimer’s disease. In a 2002 study of Catholic nuns, for each of four depressive symptoms, the risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease increased by an additional 19%. For example, for a woman with four depressive symptoms the risk increased by 76%. Some evidence suggests that there may even be common genetic factors in people who have both early depression and Alzheimer’s disease.

Head Injury. Some studies have found an association between serious head injuries in early adulthood and the development of Alzheimer’s. It is not yet known if such injuries directly cause Alzheimer’s or simply accelerate the disease in people who are already susceptible to it.
In-Depth From A.D.A.M. Prevention

Although there is no strong evidence that any lifestyle change can prevent Alzheimer’s disease, studies suggest that certain behaviors may help protect against mental decline. In particular, medications and lifestyle choices that protect the heart may be of specific importance. Various preventive drugs are under investigation, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory therapies.
Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) as Prevention

In 2004, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) halted a large clinical trial that was investigating the use of anti-inflammatory drugs in preventing Alzheimer’s disease. While prior data had confirmed that NSAIDs were not effective in treating AD, research continued to explore these drugs’ potential preventive benefits.

The Alzheimer’s Disease Anti-Inflammatory Prevention Trial (ADAPT) was launched in 2001 to investigate whether long-term use of naproxen (Aleve) or celecoxib (Celebrex) could decrease the risk of developing AD. The trial was based on the premise that because inflammation is known to be involved in the process of Alzheimer’s disease, anti-inflammatory drugs may help to prevent it. The NIH suspended this trial due to evidence that the NSAID naproxen was associated with increased incidence of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events among participants. No adverse effects appeared during this trial for the COX-2 inhibitor celecoxib. However, heart safety concerns about this drug had been raised in other trials, and investigators did not believe that celecoxib’s potential benefits outweighed its risks.

Since 2004, the ADAPT investigators have continued to monitor the trial’s participants to see if these treatments had any effect in changing their risk for Alzheimer’s. In an update analysis of ADAPT data published in 2007, the researchers announced that neither naproxen nor celecoxib appear to reduce the risk for Alzheimer’s."

Alzheimer’s Symptoms in Brief

A first sign of Alzheimer disease is a continuous pattern of forgetting things like trouble to remembering recent events, activities, or the names of familiar people or things. They may not be able to solve simple math problems. This starts to affect a person’s daily life. Symptoms of the disease include memory loss, confusion, impaired judgment, personality changes, disorientation, and loss of language skills. Always fatal, Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of irreversible dementia.

Other symptoms can include:

* Lack of concentration
* Confusion about time and place
* Self-neglect
* Restlessness
* A tendency to wander aimlessly
* Sometimes saying or doing outrageous things
* Mood can be depressed, anxious or agitated
* Reasoning can be come slow and muddled
* Some people may experience hallucinations or delusions

 Brain Superfoods

Your brain performs more tasks than all of your other organs put together. To do this it requires vast amounts of energy and nutrients making it the greediest organ in the body. It is important that the right foods are eaten so that your brain can perform at its optimal level. As you age in years, both your body and your brain grow old as well. Preventative action now can help preserve your mind for longer and improve brain and memory support. Here are some of the super brain foods for keeping your brain in tip-top shape:

Blueberries:Blueberries are the number one super-food. They are delicious as well as nutrient rich. They contain powerful antioxidants (anthocyanidins) which have been shown to shield the brain from stress, dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease. Studies have suggested that diets rich in blueberries significantly improve both the learning capacity and motor skills of aging rats, putting them on par with rats much younger.

Avocados:
Avocados have received bad press as they have more calories in the form of fat than other fruit and vegetables. However, they are a great source of mono-unsaturated fat, or good fat. Mono-unsaturated fat contributes to healthy blood flow and decreased blood pressure, lessening the chances of developing hypertension, which can lead to a stroke. If you can increase healthy fats, found in avocados, and reduce saturated fats (found in red meats and processed foods) you are far less at risk of developing heart disease.

Oily Fish:
Omega-3 is another good fat brought to fame in recent years. It is essential for a healthy and functional brain. Omega-3 fatty acids are found in oily fish such as salmon and mackerel, as well as certain vegetable oils such as safflower and flaxseed oil. Try and aim for at least three meals a week containing oily fish. This way you will reduce the amount of bad fat (saturated fat) from red meat, as well as increase the amount of omega-3 fat such as that found in fish. If you are not a fish fan, then you can supplement your diet with flaxseed oil to prevent depression or other mood disorders, as well as improving heart and mind health.

Flaxseed:
Flaxseeds and flaxseed oil (also known as linseed) also provide omega-3 essential fatty acids. Flaxseed is the seed of the flax plant which is believed to have originated in Egypt. The healthy oil in flaxseed is claimed to:

reduce the risk of cancer,
lower cholesterol,
lower blood pressure,
assist in the growth of healthy hair and nails,
promote healthy skin
improve bowel function.

Nuts and seeds:
Nuts and seeds are a good source of vitamin E, an important vitamin needed by your brain to stave off declining brain functions. Cashews, peanuts, walnuts, sunflower, sesame seeds and almonds are all great choices.

Whole grain:
Whole-grain breads, brown rice, and oatmeal also contribute to a healthy brain by reducing the risk of cardiac disease. By promoting a healthy heart and improved blood flow, the brain is sure to thrive via excellent oxygen and nutrient delivery through the bloodstream.

Iron-rich foods:
Iron carries oxygen to your brain cells and is used to build brain neurotransmitters (which carry messages throughout your brain). So it may not seem surprising that iron deficiency causes a poor attention span and affects learning abilities. Researchers who studied teenage girls (who are renowned for dieting and therefore often have low iron intakes) found that those with a low level of iron in their diet also had a reduced brain-function. Furthermore they found that a very small drop in iron levels also caused a fall in IQ score. The best source of iron is red meat but it can also be found in baked beans, spinach, chick peas, broccoli and brown rice. You can improve your body’s absorption rate of iron if you consume vitamin C with an iron rich food. For example drinking a glass of orange juice with a meal containing spinach will help your body absorb more iron from the spinach.

Menu Suggestions

Breakfast:
Make your own muesli with bran, oats, flaxseeds, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, goji berries, raisins and sunflower seeds.

Lunch:
If you are a meat eater try turkey (this is a good source of tryptophan which helps your brain make serotonin, the mood enhancing chemical) salad and boiled potatoes. If you are not a meat eater, add almonds instead.

Dinner:
Grilled salmon with lemon and dill, with a mixed bean salad and herbs.

We have talked about foods that you should consume to improve your brain function but which foods should you avoid?

Fizzy Drinks:
A study published in 2003 found that children who drank fizzy drinks and had sugary snacks for breakfast performed at the average level of 70 year olds in tests focused on memory and attention.

Processed foods:
Avoid junk and processed foods, many of which contain trans-fats (the worst fats possible). A study published in the Archives of Neurology in February 2003 showed that the intake of both trans-fats and saturated fats increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. The study looked at 815 community residents aged 65 years and older who consumed a diet high in trans-fats. At the beginning of the study none of the participants were affected by Alzheimer’s disease. A follow up almost four years later found that 131 residents had developed the disease. The study concluded that a diet high in saturated and hydrogenated fats may increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.

For a healthy brain it is important to increase certain healthy foods in your diet and avoid or at least limit certain unhealthy foods too. Take proactive action now in order to have a healthier brain now and in the future.

By: Megavista-Health

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Our mission is simple. We aim to bring you the best information available from around the world on health & nutrition. We address the holistic approach to health, focusing on stress reduction, detoxification, correct nutrition, exercise and acid-alkaline balance.

A Primer on Alzheimer’s Disease

webmaster note: guest article writer today

The term dementia refers to a brain disorder that demonstrates itself in several ways. A person may easily become confused even in known settings, may ask questions repeatedly, or may neglect such basic things as their own hygiene or basic safety issues. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia linked with old age.

The disease is named after German Doctor Alois Alzheimer. In 1906, Dr. Alzheimer noticed variations in the brain tissue of a patient of his that died with unusual mental illnesses and dementia. His study guided him to discover anomalous clumps and tangles of fiber in the brains of those patients who were suffering from this same disease.

Hence, while it was common for persons who were older and losing their mental faculties to be dismissed as "senile," Doctor Alzheimer was able to pinpoint the actual breakdown in the brain that led to the loss of their mental faculties.

According to the National Institute on Aging varied test conclusions, there are actual brain changes in persons with Alzheimer’s disease. They can find out how nerve cells die in areas of the brain that affect memory and basic abilities. It may seem strange, but everything that we do on a daily basis is because of memory.

We remember that we need to take a shower on a regular basis that we need to shut the door behind us when we leave the house. We don’t realize that we’re doing these things because of memory, and assume that they just happen naturally. But when those memories break down because of Alzheimer’s or any other mental disorder, even the most basic everyday functions begin to be confusing or neglected.

In fact, the brain works by a series of connections between nerve endings, all of which are related. For example, the part of the brain that controls speech sends signals to the nerves that spark the muscles and parts of the mouth when we wish to talk. Of course, all of our mental and physical functions work this way.

With Alzheimer’s disease, these nerve signals are disrupted or broken. If the brain cannot continue to make links in the nerve cells that control memory, all the basic functions are interrupted. The brain can’t memorize that it simply asked a question, so a person repeats it. They can’t remember their own kids, so they are now strangers. Alzheimer’s can be a very frightening and debilitating disease for the patients and the families as well.

By: Barbara Rockwell

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Your interest on this article is very appreciated and you can go to author Barbara Rockwell’s website for Alzheimers

Testing for Alzheimer’s

There are more than 5 million people in the United States today who have Alzheimer’s disease. In the over-65 population, 1 in 8 people has the disease. For those over 85, roughly 50% have Alzheimer’s or some degree of dementia. And it’s estimated that 500,000 Americans under the age of 65 have already been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s

Imagine what will happen to these numbers when more than 72 million American baby boomers enter the senior population. But how is Alzheimer’s disease diagnosed?

Unfortunately, there are no actual tests for Alzheimer’s. It’s only diagnosed by the process of elimination. What science knows now is that there are a number of medical issues that can cause memory-related problems. These include thyroid disorders, small strokes, drug interaction, depression, and pernicious anemia. Science also knows that the earlier the diagnosis, the better chance for developing an appropriate treatment plan.

The diagnostic procedure begins with your health practitioner evaluating your medical history, as well as that of your parents, siblings and grandparents. Other possible causes of memory impairment are then ruled out. A physical examination and blood tests will help eliminate these possibilities.

A cognitive test may also be administered, in which the patient is asked to perform simple memory and processing tasks. The patient may then be referred for more complex medical screenings. Several types of brain imaging tests, such as CAT scans, MRIs and PET scans, are used to rule out strokes or tumors.

Dementia can be caused by a series of strokes so small as to be undetected. Depression can also cause memory lapses. Parkinson’s disease, a degenerative nerve disorder, can also be a cause of dementia. And some medications, especially in older patients, can cause fuzzy thinking and memory loss. Even a fever or a head injury can result in memory problems, as can dehydration or malnutrition. Late-stage syphilis is yet another cause of dementia.

Blood tests can help eliminate these and other possible causes of memory loss, such as thyroid disorders or vitamin deficiencies.

More extensive neuropsychological testing may be given to the patient. These tests assess the patient’s memory, problem-solving abilities, attention span and skills involving numbers and language. Psychological tests can also be useful in diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease.

A vaccine was developed that reduces the deposits in the brain associated with Alzheimer’s. However, it was found to have dangerous side effects, and the clinical trial was abandoned.

Genetic testing for Alzheimer’s is still in the beginning phase. Researchers have identified several genes that are associated with Alzheimer’s disease. It must be mentioned here that recent studies have shown that only 30% of cognitive decline is the result of genetics. The remaining 70% is the result of lifestyle choices.

What science knows now is that Alzheimer’s disease is not a normal part of the human aging process. There is always a cause. Although physicians have no definitive tests for Alzheimer’s, you should not ignore any early symptoms of mental decline.

There are many other tests and screenings that can be used to eliminate possible causes of memory loss. And fortunately, there are drug therapies that can slow down the progression of this frightening disease.

By: Susan Nickerson

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Now I would like to invite you to visit the non-profit Alzheimer’s Research and Prevention Foundation website at www.alzheimersprevention.org to discover even more strategies on how you can improve memory loss and prevent Alzheimer’s disease.

 
Just the mention of Alzheimer’s disease can be a frightening . This is true especially if you are a member of a family with a history of the disease. Alzheimer’s disease a fatal, permanent, and degenerative brain disorder is a painful disease to encounter. Patients suffering from Alzheimer’s disease first a little slowly and the the pace quickens start to suffer large memory gaps, experience impaired judgment, become confused, disoriented, and lose language skills. Currently, there is no known cure for this disease, but this two-step disease treatment, recommended by the Mayo Clinic, aims to enhance the patient’s quality of life and ability to function.

First there is the Diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease

The fact is that Alzheimer’s disease is not easily detected, and it requires a battery of tests to determine if the illness is indeed Alzheimer’s or some other age related dementia. It is only after an accurate diagnosis on Alzheimer’s’ disease has been arrived at that the second step Alzheimer’s disease treatment can commence.

Treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.

Due tio the fact that Alzheimer’s disease is progressive, it can only be managed; therefore, the patient, caregiver, and family must know the existing and future issues found in the management of this brain disorder.

These following medications for the Alzheimer’s disease treatment are intended for informational purposes. Use the medication only upon the advice and the supervision of a physician. For these medicines will help to control the disease, alleviate the patient’s symptoms, and slow down the disease.

Alzheimer’s disease treatment entails the use of different kinds of medicine, which is intended to improve the patients’ ability to sleep, function, to slow down their loss of memories, and to control their behavioral troubles. Physicians and other medical staff who are knowledgeable about Alzheimer’s disease are your best help in forming a medication regimen.

Body Management and Medication

This Alzheimer’s disease treatment focuses on the use of sleep medication and anti-anxiety medication. For Alzheimer patients commonly have the inability to get a full night’s sleep and may even wander from their beds at night. Anxiety, extreme agitation, and restlessness are common symptoms that a patient with Alzheimer’s disease suffers from. Therefore, the dispensation of medication will alleviate these symptoms.

Antioxidants

There are differing medical opinions on the administration of Vitamin E for patients undergoing Alzheimer’s disease treatment. However if you feel this medication is worth a shot, seek the advice of a trained medical practitioner on this matter.

Cholinesterase Inhibitors

For patients undergoing Alzheimer’s disease treatment, a gradual loss of memory is expected because disease destroys acetylcholine cells – the cell responsible for carrying messages to the brain. Cholinesterase inhibitors work by blocking the enzyme that destroys the acetylcholine cells, allowing the patient to function better and delay the loss of memory.

Memantine

Memantine is a drug approved in 2003 by the FDA for use in patients undergoing Alzheimer’s disease treatment and suffering from moderate to severe symptoms. The use of this drug in patients with Alzheimer’s disease is favorable. By allowing the patients the increased ability to complete daily activities, they suffer from less mood swings and behavioral changes.

It is important to seek the help of a trained physician, who is a knowledge expert of the disease.

Guest Article writer today with "Facts About Alzheimer’s Disease" as she sees them.

"Alzheimer’s Disease" is the term used to describe a degenerative disorder marked by certain brain changes, regardless of the age of onset. Alzheimer’s disease is not a normal part of aging — and it is not something that inevitable happens in later life. Rather, it is one of the degenerative disorders, a group of brain diseases that lead to the loss of mental and physical functions.

The disorder, while the whole cause is unknown, affects a small but significant percentage of older Americans. A very small minority of Alzheimer’s patients are under 50 years of age. However, most are over 65. Alzheimer’s disease is the exception, rather than the rule, in old age. Only 5 to 6 percent of older people are afflicted by Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia - - but this means approximately 3 to 4 million Americans have one of these debilitating disorders.

Research indicates that 1 percent of the population aged 65-75 has severe dementia, increasing to 7 percent of those aged 75-85 and to 25 percent of those 85 or older. As out population ages and the number of Alzheimer’s patients increases, costs of care will rise as well.

Although Alzheimer’s disease is not yet curable or reversible, there are ways to alleviate symptoms and suffering and to assist families. And not every person with this illness must necessarily move to a nursing home. Many thousands of patients - - especially those in the early stages of the disease - - are cared for by their families in the community.

Indeed, one of the most important aspects of medical management is family education and family support services. When, or whether, to transfer a patient to a nursing home is a decision to be carefully considered by the family.

The onset of Alzheimer’s disease is usually very slow and gradual, seldom occurring before age 65. Over time, however, it follows a progressively more serious course. Among the symptoms that typically develop, none is unique to Alzheimer’s disease at its various stages. It is therefore essential for suspicious changes to be thoroughly evaluated before they become inappropriately or negligently labeled Alzheimer’s disease. Problems of memory, particularly recent or short-term memory, are common early in the course of the disease. For example, the individual may, on repeated occasions, forget to turn off the iron or may not recall which of the morning’s medicines were taken. Mild personality changes, such as less spontaneity or a sense of apathy and a tendency to withdraw from social interactions, may occur early in the illness. As the disease progresses, problems in abstract thinking or in intellectual functioning develop. You may notice the individual beginning to have trouble with figures when working on bills, with understanding what is being read, or with organizing the days work. Further disturbances in behavior and appearance may also be seen at this point, such as agitation, irritability, quarrelsomeness, and diminishing ability to dress appropriately.

The average course of the disease from the time it is recognized to death is about 6 to 8 years, but it may range from under 2 years to over 20 years. Those who develop the disorder later in life may die from other illnesses (such as heart disease) before Alzheimer’s disease reaches its final and most serious stage. The reaction of an individual to the illness and the way he or she copes with it also varies and may depend on such factors as lifelong personality patterns and the nature and severity of the stress in the immediate environment.

As research on Alzheimer’s disease continues, scientists are now describing other abnormal chemical changes associated with the disease. These include nerve cell degeneration in certain areas of the brain. Also, defects in certain blood vessels supplying blood to the brain have been studied as a possible contributing factor.

There is no way at the present time to determine who may get Alzheimer’s disease. The main risk factor for the disease is increased age. The rates of the disease increase markedly with advancing age, with 25 percent of people over 85 suffering from Alzheimer’s or other severe dementia. Other things often noticeable may be depression, severe uneasiness, and paranoia or delusions that accompany or result from the disease, but they can often be alleviated by appropriate treatments. Alzheimer’s disease has emerged as one of the great mysteries in modern day medicine, with a growing number of clues but still no answers as to its cause.

Researchers have come up with a number of theories about the cause of this disease but so far the mystery remains unresolved. Because of the many other disorders that are often confused with Alzheimer’s disease as in the case of age related dementia, a comprehensive clinical evaluation is essential to arrive at a correct diagnosis of any symptoms that look similar to those of Alzheimer’s disease. In most cases, the family physician can be consulted about the best way to get the necessary examinations.

Stress on the family can take a toll on both the patient and the caregiver alike. Caregivers are usually family members - - either spouses or children - - and usually wives and daughters. As time passes and the burden mounts, it not only places the mental health of family caregivers at risk. It also diminishes their ability to provide care to the diseased patient. Hence, assistance to the family as a whole must be considered.

As the disease progresses, families experience increasing anxiety and pain at seeing unsettling changes in a loved one, and they commonly feel guilt over not being able to do enough. The prevalence of reactive depression among family members in this situation is disturbingly high - - caregivers are chronically stressed and are much more likely to suffer from depression than the average person. If caregivers have been forced to retire from positions outside the home they feel progressively more isolated and no longer productive members of society. The likelihood, intensity, and duration of depression among caregivers can all be lowered through available interventions. For example, to the extent that family members can offer emotional support to each other and perhaps seek professional consultation, they will be better prepared to help their loved one manage the illness and to recognize the limits of what they themselves can reasonably do.

Though niether Alzheimer’s disease nor age related dementia can at present be cured, reversed, or stopped in its progression, much can be done to help both the patient and the family live through the course of the illness with greater dignity and less discomfort. Toward this goal, appropriate clinical interventions and community services should be vigorously sought. While Alzheimer’s disease remains a mystery, with its cause and cure not yet found, there is considerable excitement and hope about new findings that are unfolding in numerous research settings.

This article is provided by Carol Bond Health Foods. Carol Bond Health Foods has been serving natural health consumers for over 25 years.

By: Carol Bond

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Alzheimer’s Disease and Omega 3 Fish Oil  is an interesting article by a guest writer today.  I personally take three grams of a good quality fish every day.

I eat some fatty fish usually salmon two or three times a week such a believer am I in the magic of this super nutrition and it’s many positive effects. I hope that you will consider thia protocol as well.

 In much of my previous writing I have brought to your attention the clear role of inflammation in age related dementia and alzheimer’s disease. This article is a very good treatment of one of the best whole body anti-inflammatories available to us.

It is clear I guess that I am committed to using this easy preventative maintenance so that I will not have to one day hope it is helpful in the treatment of alzheimer’s disease. A stitch in time will save nine as our grandmother’s were fond of saying. Here is our guest article writer:

Although no one knows what causes Alzheimer’s disease, many research studies indicate that those who regularly eat fatty fish or who supplement with fish oil have a lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease later in life. Why this is the case remains an interesting topic of investigation but it is believed to be due, at least in part, to the role Omega 3 fatty acids play in the general functioning of the brain itself.

Omega 3 fatty acids are known to improve mental function, mood, memory and concentration and have already demonstrated considerable success in the treatment of conditions such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, ADD and ADHD. Currently there is no cure for Alzheimer’s, although research does indicate that Omega 3 fatty acids can slow down the ageing of the brain and possibly delay the onset as well as slow down the progress of Alzheimer’s too.

One research team from Aberdeen and Edinburgh University led by Professor Lawrence Whalley, questioned approximately 300 people aged 64 on their Omega 3 intake, they also tested their blood levels of Omega 3. The participants had previously taken part in a survey on IQ in 1947 when they were 11 years old. They found that those who had taken Omega 3 supplements showed better results on mental speed tests and there was even an association between the results and the level of Omega 3 in the blood of the participants. The team reported that the evidence seemed to suggest that Omega 3 could slow down the aging of the brain and help it to work faster. Webmaster note: This puts it’s function as treatment for alzheimer’s disease at the top of my personallist.

Another study conducted by Uppsala University in Sweden looked at the effect of Omega 3 fatty acids on patients who already had Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers gave 89 patients the Omega 3 fatty acids Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) for a period of 6 months and another 85 were given a placebo in the form of corn oil. After the initial 6-month period, the placebo group also switched to Omega 3 for a further 6 months. Although there was no real differences noted between the two groups in general, there was an interesting result where 32 patients who had milder mental impairment showed less of a decline whilst taking Omega 3.

The results of both these studies indicate that Omega 3 supplementation might not only improve mental function in the twilight years, it could possibly be beneficial in slowing down the progress of Alzheimer’s disease, particularly in the early stages, however, more research is required to substantiate this. webmaster note: I am betting that research now underway will confirm this as a preventative extraordinaire that may keep you from needing treatment of Alzheimer’s down the road.

DHA deficiency and the "fatty acid paradox"

The brain is composed mostly of fat, in particular, the Omega 3 fatty acid Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Patients with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia have shown very low concentrations of DHA in the brain indicating a possible DHA deficiency. This has naturally led to the conclusion that supplementing with DHA might offer therapeutic help.

However, what has been dubbed the "fatty acid paradox" is the belief that the best way to correct any DHA deficiency is not by increasing intake of DHA as what one might expect, but to increase intake of EPA instead. If enough EPA is present, the body can produce DHA as required.

EPA is believed to inhibit the activity of the enzyme phospholipase A2. Over-activity of this enzyme is associated with neurotoxicity and death of brain cells and is a feature of Alzheimer’s disease as well as other neurodegenerative diseases.

What is Alzheimer’s disease?

Alois Alzheimer first identified Alzheimer’s disease in the early 1900’s. It affects over half a million people in the UK alone. It is characterised by progressive mental decline and begins with periods of memory loss, confusion, and personality changes before proceeding to full-blown dementia with complete loss of most cognitive abilities and even physical abilities. No one knows what causes it, it is irreversible and there is no cure. It is relatively rare under 50 years of age but the chances of developing it increase the older you become. Medication is aimed at slowing down the progression of the disease. It is not the same as normal age-related cognitive decline where some impairment in mental function is considered a normal part of the ageing process.

Conclusion

Although no evidence exists that Omega 3 fatty acid supplementation prevents you from developing Alzheimer’s disease, the indications are that increasing intake of Omega 3 does decrease your risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease later in life. There are indeed many other health benefits afforded by getting an adequate amount of Omega 3 in the diet including increased protection against cardiovascular disease, arthritis and many other inflammatory conditions. Bearing in mind the toxicity risk involved in eating too much fresh fish, supplementing with high quality fish oil would seem the best way to gain the protective benefits associated with Omega 3 fatty acids.

By: David McEvoy

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com