Alzheimer’s is not normal in course of aging, and it’s more than “a decline in memory.” People suffering from Alzheimer’s, through progressive destruction of brain cells, lose ability to think, reason, learn and communicate, and also undergo personality changes. For ten warning signs of Alzheimer’s go here: http://www.alz.org/AboutAD/10Signs.htm . Alzheimer’s is eventually fatal because person cannot move or swallow.

Although around 12 million people worldwide have Alzheimer’s, and 4-4.5 million in US, research in this field is still new and not enough is known about either prevention or cure. Much of research “suggests” but is not conclusive.

RISK FACTORS

The biggest risk factor is aging, with about 50% of people over 85 years of age having Alzlheimer’s in US. According to some sources, there’s evidence it has same risk factors as for heart disease: high blood pressure, high cholesterol and elevated homocysteine, a protein building block. In an article called “Homocysteine is a Strong Risk factor for Alzheimer’s Disease,” (New England Journal of Medicine, 2002 Feb 14; 346:476-483), researchers concluded that “an increased homocysteine level is a strong, independent risk factor for development of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.”

VITAMIN E

According to research done by Martha Clare Morris, ScD, Associate Professor of Internal Medicine and Rush Institute for Healthy Aging, Chicago, Illinois, lots of vitamin E through food intake, not supplements is helpful. ( www.medscape.com) while another study (http://www.docguide.com/news/content.nsf/news/8525697700573E1885256C00004A766D ) suggests that both food intake and supplements of vitamin E is helpful.

Foods high in vitamin E are wheat germ, almonds, vegetable oils, margarine, and seeds (especially sunflower seeds).

1 T. of wheat germ provides 34.6 mg. of vitamin E, ½ cup of chocolate covered almonds, 14.3 mg., 1 T. corn oil, 11-14 mg., 1 T. soybean oil, 8.8-14 mg. According to Almond Board of California, just one ounce of almonds provides more than 35% of daily value of vitamin E.

FAT

According to studies reported in www.medscape.com, high intake of saturated fat doubles risk of Alzheimer’s disease, and moderate intake of trans fat increases risk by 2-3 times. Lower risk is associated with high intake of both polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats. However there have been inconsistent findings, with another study finding no influence from high ingestion of polyunsaturated fats.

FISH AND n-3 FATTY ACIDS

When I first started my weight loss program I began with a fast. I have fasted for 2-7 days on a few different occasions. The reason that fasting can be such a great way to start a weight loss program is because you can see results immediately.

It will also make it very easy to stick to your diet for first week. After not eating for a few days, your food will taste better. This is a great time to go a few days eating only fruits and vegetables. This can easily turn your two day fast into a 7 day, full body cleanse.

Fasting can make you look much thinner in only a couple days. You may not lose a significant amount of weight, but it will look like you have. It can make your waist noticeably thinner and clear up blemishes or skin problems.

Although I do not think fasting is to be used specifically for weight loss, I think you can do it to get your body ready for a healthier way of living. Use it as a way to cleanse your body out and get rid of all toxins clogging your system.