New Hope for Fending Off Alzheimer’s

May 15th, 2011 by Angela

By Sylvia Anderson, InsidersHealth Editor

Growing older often means foggy memories and worrying about the progression of dementia. However, the result of a two-year clinical trial has been released that brings new hope for a sharp and active mind for many years to come, no matter what your age right now.

In the study, members of a group of 168 volunteers were given a vitamin paper that contained vitamin B6 and vitamin B12 plus high doses of folic acid. Other members of the study were given a placebo. The results are extremely encouraging. The brains of volunteers taking the vitamin treatment had less brain shrinkage (which leads to cognitive impairment) than those taking the placebo. This is important because brain shrinkage is a common harbinger of Alzheimer’s.

Optimal vitamin B levels are crucial to brain health.

The bottom line is optimal brain health is related to optimal levels of B vitamins. Optimal is the key word here. One can have have normal levels of B vitamins and still suffer from brain shrinkage. That’s why keeping vitamin B levels higher than the normal range is crucial, according to the results of this study. In other words, just because your blood test indicates your vitamin B12 levels are normal does not necessarily mean everything is fine. Actually, there are several blood tests that might read as normal (vitamin D is one of them), but that does not necessarily mean the levels are high enough to maintain good health.

What we really know about Alzheimer’s.

We know that Alzheimer’s is a chronic form of dementia. Severe memory loss occurs and eventually death. Sadly, once diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, the average lifespan is approximately 8 years even though it is doable to survive for up to 20 years with proper care.

Genetics is one indicator of Alzheimer’s but it’s more than that. This devastating condition has been linked to nutritional deficiencies, obesity, environmental toxins, insulin resistance and diabetes, thyroid dysfunction, and heart disease, just to study a few.

Some experts believe that one of the key factors in developing Alzheimer’s is insulin resistance, which puts you at risk for brain atrophy among other conditions.

How to make sure you get enough B vitamins.

While it’s easy to take a B12 supplement, most of them don’t work very well. The best way to ensure you’re getting standard B12 is through an injection.

Keep in mind it’s doable you could be taking common drugs that make you B12 deficient. Prilosec and other common medications can actually decrease B12 absorption.

How to prevent Alzheimer’s in the first place.

This is a evenhandedly controversial issue and a lot has been in the news about it lately. Some reports claim that there is nothing at all that can be done. Other experts disagree.

As with most diseases, easy lifestyle changes can often prevent onset in the first place. This is true for keeping your brain healthy well past your 60s. What lifestyle changes should you make?

First of all, pay close attention to your diet. Optimize your vitamin D levels, consume a diet rich in folate, get plenty of high-quality omega-3 fats, stay away from aluminum, and stay away from flu vaccinations which contain aluminum and mercury.

One of the most important things you can do is to challenge your mind daily. Learn a new instrument or new language or anything new at all.  Developing new learning patterns is associated with a decreased risk of developing Alzheimer’s. Mental challenges boost brainpower and make your brain more resistance to the lesions found in Alzheimer’s.

So, if you’ve always wanted to learn a new language or play the piano, it’s never too late to start!  Not only will these activities add joy to your life, they could help add many productive, happy and healthy years as well.

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