Prevent or Delay Alzheimer's Disease

Written by Phyllis Staff, Ph.D.


Continued from page 1

A caution: genetically-altered soy beans are often used in soy-based products. Without labeling, such as that Western European countries require on all genetically-altered foods, it is difficult to be certain that genetically-altered beans have been excluded fromrepparttar products you're eating. I get mine atrepparttar 115722 health-food store for a little added protection. Although I cannot tell ifrepparttar 115723 product contains some genetically-altered soy,repparttar 115724 fact that it is organically grown assures me it is free of pesticide residues.

What about NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)?

One ofrepparttar 115725 prevailing theories is that inflammation causes or encourages Alzheimer's disease. This theory led torepparttar 115726 suggestion that a daily regimen of NSAIDs (Ibuprofen and similar products) might preventrepparttar 115727 disease. However, researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center (8th International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders, July 25, 2002) found no significant benefits from NSAIDS compared to a placebo.

What to Avoid

Smoking

A brand-new study, also reported in Stockholm (July 23, 2002) duringrepparttar 115728 8th International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders, found that, among people who do not haverepparttar 115729 gene that predisposes people to Alzheimer's disease, smoking is significantly related torepparttar 115730 occurrence of Alzheimer's disease. Yet another reason to stop smoking now!

Mercury

Even small amounts of mercury may createrepparttar 115731 neurofibrillar tangles (abnormal TAU proteins) that occur in Alzheimer's and related diseases according to research conducted atrepparttar 115732 University of Calgary Faculty of Medicine. So I'll avoid silver/mercury tooth fillings. My mercury-filled thermometer now resides inrepparttar 115733 garbage can. The newer digital thermometers are easier, quicker, and safer to use.

Other Benefits of a Nutritious Diet

A nutritious diet, combined with a healthy lifestyle may prevent or ameliorate many diseases related to aging. With a US growing population now over 65+ (17 million+ according torepparttar 115734 latest US census), seniors with serious medical problems may soon require more care than we can as a nation provide. We must do all we can to eliminaterepparttar 115735 problems associated with aging. Thenrepparttar 115736 golden years may be truly golden.

Phyllis Staff, Ph.D. - Phyllis Staff is an experimental psychologist and the CEO of The Best Is Yet.Net, an internet company that helps seniors and caregivers find trustworthy residential care. She is the author of How to Find Great Senior Housing: A Roadmap for Elders and Those Who Love Them. She is also the daughter of a victim of Alzheimer's disease. A reader calls it "Awesome -- a real find!"


Stealing Lives

Written by Virginia Ramage Smith


Continued from page 1
Handyman Help I have lost my handyman. Fred was not alwaysrepparttar best handyman I have known, but he was there. Now I must hire someone to do seemingly simple chores, like checkrepparttar 115721 smoke alarms, turn overrepparttar 115722 king-size mattress, move a heavy piece of furniture, or repair a broken chair leg. My neighbor setsrepparttar 115723 sprinkler for me, and a yard man mowsrepparttar 115724 lawn. Now when I have to change a lock on a door, I call for help. At this point, Fred is more likely to cause a problem inadvertently than to cure one, so I must be constantly vigilant. I miss having Fred’s help. Companionship I missrepparttar 115725 companionship shared atrepparttar 115726 close of a busy day, when we slowed down and talked about each other and what comes next. We took this time to go quietly about preparing forrepparttar 115727 next day, knowing that each of us would be there to helprepparttar 115728 other. Now, I am painfully aware that Fred does not even recall those times. We can no longer enjoy remembering togetherrepparttar 115729 things that have made up our long lives. I miss my companion. I express my loss not as a complaint but only to describe extent to which Alzheimer’s disease affects those who care forrepparttar 115730 afflicted one. My life is altered irrevocably because I’ve lostrepparttar 115731 everyday ease once present when things were more normal. I have lostrepparttar 115732 freedom to do my own thing, to abandon Fred for awhile and be carefree. I am sometimes resentful and angry, sometime guilty and inadequate. Alzheimer’s disease has stolen my husband. It has stolen my life as well.

Virginia Ramage Smith is the 82-year-old caregiver for her husband, a victim of Alzheimer's disease. She is also the chairman of the best is yet.net, Inc. Read more from her biweekly column at http://www.thebestisyet.net


    <Back to Page 1
 
ImproveHomeLife.com © 2005
Terms of Use