Articles ¬ The Source ¬ Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's disease is a form of dementia that tends to affect those over the age of 50. Symptoms that may accompany Alzheimer's disease include progressive mental deterioration, loss of memory especially short term, irritability and childish behaviour.

Alzheimer's disease can only definitively be diagnosed by performing a post mortem study of the brain. Many people who suffer from senility are thought to have Alzheimer's, while it's been found that only 50% actually do have the condition. Many of the people that have been misdiagnosed may be helped simply through the use of a multivitamin or by decreasing the amount of medication they are taking.

Although the primary treatment for Alzheimer's is prevention, the following suggestions may also prove useful for those in the early stages of the disease.

It's thought that untreated thyroid disease, especially hypothyroidism, may increase the risk of Alzheimer's. Also, Alzheimer's disease can often be the result of decreased blood flow to the brain. This can be caused by many factors, though it's most commonly due arteriosclerosis, which is the build up of cholesterol plaque on the arterial walls. The Prevu test for measuring plaque build up in the arteries would find out if this is present and requiring treatment.

Many studies have shown a link between Aluminum and Silicon toxicities and the occurrence of Alzheimer's disease. These minerals can be high in many items including antacids, processed foods, anti-perspirants, buffered aspirin, anti-diarrheal drugs, cooking pots and aluminum coated juice pacs. People who have had dialysis also run a higher risk, as the water used tends to be high in Aluminum. Hair analysis tests are available for measuring the levels of these minerals in your body.

If Alzheimer's cannot be explained by any other causes, the person may want to have their serum B-12 levels checked. A chronic deficiency of this vitamin has been linked to the formation of Alzheimer's in some people.

Many people over the age of 50 don't have adequate intakes of needed nutrients. Supplementation with a high quality multimineral multivitamin from a health food store, is therefore recommended.

Vitamins A, C, E, and the mineral Zinc can be used to prevent damage to the nerve cells by oxidation. To improve absorption, the formula should also contain bioflavonoids and the mineral Selenium. A person’s need for these nutrients can be measured by a fast and simple urine test.

Lecithin can be used to improve several aspects of brain function. It is best used in granule form, 2 - 3 tablespoons daily, either on or in food.

The herb ginkgo biloba is excellent for increasing both the blood flow to the brain and the rate at which brain cells transmit information. Dosage for ginkgo biloba should be 40 - 60 mg., three times daily.

"Did You Know?"

That your genetic make up only stipulates to which illnesses you are prone. It's your lifestyle and dietary choices that make the decision of whether of not these will be expressed.

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