Here’s a list of sounds:

· 0 dB The softest sound a person can hear with normal hearing aka “hearing threshold” · 10 dB normal breathing · 20 dB whispering at 5 feet, broadcasting studio, rustling leaves · 30 dB soft whisper, library · 50 dB rainfall, light traffic, average home · 60 dB normal conversation, air conditioning unit · 85 dB noisy restaurant · 110-120 dB rock concert, speedboat, headphones on maximum · 110 dB shouting in ear, baby crying, many power tools · 120 dB thunder, jet takeoff at 200’ · 180 dB rocket launching

7. Harm can occur with 103 dB after 7.5 minutes, 106 dB after less than 4 minutes, 109 dB after less than 2 minutes, and 115 dB after around 30 seconds. (Source: http://www.dangerousdecibels.org/ )

8. Supervise your teenagers as many things they like can be damaging.

· Clubs and discos, 91 - 96 dB · Dance floor, 85 - 100 dB · At bar, 90 dB or more · Personal stereo systems, 60 - 114 dB · Rock concerts, 100 dB or more average · Car stereos, up to 154 dB in car!! · Home stereo, 80 - 115 dB

9. If you take kids hunting or to a shooting range, take hearing protectors along.

Firearms are all high and a single exposure can cause permanent hearing loss. Examples, 12-guage shotgun, 150-165 dB, shotgun, 163-172 dB, rifle, 143-170 dB. Most firearms start at 100 dB and can go as high as 190 dB. Supervise their use of power tools. A firecracker can also cause immediate damage.

10. Video arcade visits, computer games and action movies should also be monitored.

Noise levels at video arcades can exceed 100 decibels (similar to factory machinery), computer games can go as high as 135 dB (the level of a jackhammer), and an action movie is generally beyond 90 dB.

All values are approximate as conditions vary. This is not medical advice. See your personal healthcare professional for advice specific to you and your child.

Assuming that vitamin E and n-3 fatty acids and unhydrogenated, unsaturated fats help, your best bet would be to eat plenty of oil-based salad dressings, nuts, seeds, fish, mayonnaise, and eggs.

CURRY

If you love curry like I do, this information will be welcome. One of lowest rates of Alzheimer’s appears in Indian villages, with only 1% of people 65 and older having condition.

A recent study suggests that reason might be a diet high in curcumin, a compound found in turmeric which is used in curry, which has long been used as an herbal treatment in that country. Researchers investigating this link will also be looking at rosemary and ginger, also high in Indian diet, because their structure is similar to curcumin. [Source: “The Curry Spice Curcumin Reduces Oxidative Damage and Amyloid Pathology in an Alzheimer Transgenic Mouse,” Lim, Chuet al.]

TESTOSTERONE

Another link in chain may be testosterone levels. Dr. Sozos Ch. Papasozomenos and Dr. Alikunju Shanavas, from University of Texas-Houston Medical School conclude from their studies that “testosterone given alone to aging men and given combined with 17-beta-estradiol to postmenopausal women would probably prove beneficial in preventing and/or treating Alzheimer’s disease.” [Reported in proceedings of National Academy of Sciences.] However, case for hormones for postmenopausal women is far from settled and not at all clear.

LITHIUM

Another possibility is lithium. This long-standing treatment for bipolar disorder has worked as a preventative with mice, and may be useful for humans, though side-effects are high, and it doesn’t help people who already have Alzheimer’s. [Source: Nature, 2003]

WEIGHT, WOMEN & ALZHEIMER’S

Researchers have also found a strong relationship in women between being overweight at age 70 and developing Alzheimer’s 10-18 years later, although being overweight doesn’t appear to effect men and Alzheimer’s. (http://www.stopgettingsick.com/Conditions/condition_template.cfm/6880/24/1 )

USE IT OR LOSE IT

Studies also suggest that keeping mentally active can ward off Alzheimer’s [New England Journal of Medicine]. Oddly physical activity had no positive preventive effect except in case of dancing. Researchers speculated that could be because music engages mind. ( http://www.stopgettingsick.com/Conditions/condition_template.cfm/6817/24/1 )

These are just a few of latest “suggestions.” So little is known for sure, and we hope research continues. In meantime, we do hear same things over and over – good diet, exercise, and staying mentally active.

Resource: The Alzheimer’s Association, http://www.alz.org

For medical advice, consult your personal healthcare professional.