Monday, February 29, 2016

Are You in Denial? 



According to a new WebMD-Shriver Report Snapshot: Insight into Alzheimer’s Attitudes and Behaviors, many of us have conflicting attitudes about Alzheimer’s disease. 
(The only disease in the Top 10 Causes of Death in America that cannot be prevented or cured).

It appears that fear and misconceptions about the risk and prevention of Alzheimer’s disease stop most Americans from taking action. Check out this great article on the study's findings:
The study found that even when there is a long family or genetic presence of dementia in brothers or sisters, parents or grandparents we want to close our eyes. 
Yet, dementia can strike at any age. And the steps to prevent Alzheimer’s or to plan for the potential financial burden either as patient or caregiver are manageable if you act in time.
We feared my husband was headed down the dementia path and worried Alzheimer's was going to move into our lives soon. Rather than wait, we took action.

First we found a micronutrient supplement that targets brain health. Within 3 weeks he started to show improvement. We also learned about the role sugars, gluten and probiotics play in the development of this devastating disease. (Look for our blog on these three key factors in the near future.)

Next we researched local specialists and programs available in the Phoenix area. Thankfully we found Banner's Alzheimer's Institute, and D. Garrett Riggs, PhD, MD, with its cutting edge research and treatments--and where we worked together to rule out possible medical contributors such as sleep apnea, diabetes, heart disease or lung issues. 
Then last week my husband went through an extensive memory evaluation by Dr. Julie Alberty, PhD. We were absolutely thrilled to learn he does not yet have dementia. My husband was diagnosed with Mild Amnestic Cognitive Impairment which may or may not develop into dementia.
We still have time to take action!!! 
There are still important additional lifestyle changes we can implement.
So don't wait. 

Your choice to take action could create a very different tomorrow.



Monday, February 1, 2016

Memory Loss Occurs At Any Age


Memory loss only happens when you get old, right? Think again! A 2015 UCLA study found it occurs across all age groups about the same! 
  • 26% in older adults
  • 22 % in middle-aged
  • 14 % in young adults

That is because it is a disease just like obesity, diabetes or cancer. It starts building silently and early and can pop up at any age. 
But you can preserve mental function and protect against cognitive decline. And just like obesity, diabetes and cancer, you can take steps to keep your brain healthy and ward off dementia now. 

Here are 3 simple steps to add your daily routine. 
Get 30 minutes of physical activity per day  Regular physical exercise, specifically aerobic exercise such as walking at a quick pace, can help slow memory loss and improve mental function.

Develop healthy habits in all aspects of life  Not smoking, drinking only in moderation, staying socially involved, managing stress, getting adequate rest, and cultivating a positive attitude and outlook have all been associated with a lowered risk of Alzheimer's. Getting key vitamins, minerals, and amino acids are also key in maintaining a healthy brain. 

Keep an active mind  "Use it or lose it" applies to mental as well as physical health. Enjoy crossword puzzles, mind games, challenging reading, and take educational classes.

The UCLA research group, in collaboration with the RAND Corporation, also reviewed epidemiological studies that connect healthy lifestyle behaviors and the risk of developing Alzheimer’s. 

This study concluded if everyone in the United States adopted just one Alzheimer’s prevention lifestyle behavior, within 5 years we could have 1 million fewer cases of Alzheimer’s disease! And they found that combining these strategies creates a strong synergy and greater impact than doing just one or two alone. 

We have the ability to delay the onset of Alzheimer’s by the simple daily choices we make!




Source: 
http://newsroom.ucla.edu/stories/10-questions-alzheimer-s-expert-228191Strong Brain 365 on Facebook
Strong Brain 365 on Google+
kmdeanda@yahoo.com
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