Alzheimer’s Disease
September is World Alzheimer’s Disease Month. Simply hearing the name of this disease makes middle-aged people wonder when, not if, they will fall prey to this most common form of dementia. Although someone is diagnosed as having Alzheimer’s every 68 seconds in the U.S. not everyone will get the disease, and the good news is that there is evidence that some strategies can help reduce the risk of getting the disease.

            Good clean living, as my grandmother used to say, could help reduce the risks of having Alzheimer’s. Anything we do to keep the body healthy is also good for the brain. That certainly entails avoiding smoking, drugs and alcohol, and exercising regularly. A lady I know who will soon be 89 years young and is very healthy has a simple philosophy: move. Too many people don’t move enough, she says, especially after they retire. She, on the other hand, takes care of cleaning her house which is always sparkling clean. She is also an avid gardener in the good months. In short, she is always moving and as result is reaping remarkable benefits.

            That lady also believes that eating a healthy diet makes a great deal of difference when it comes to avoiding decline. There is clear evidence that she may be right. Everyone should have a plant based diet that includes lots of veggies and fruit along with lean, good quality proteins while avoiding added sugar and transfats. My lady friend limits her intake of red meat and eats lots of fish, and there is always a bowl of nuts on her dining room table to munch on during the day.

            Experts agree that in order the reduce the risks of getting Alzheimer’s, people should challenge their brain every day. There are so many ways of accomplishing this. Learning something new is high on that list. My lady friend keeps busy with painting in the months when she is unable to garden; she started to take lessons at 70, and has produced some lovely pieces. A man in his 60s I know makes it a point to learn a new word each and every day. There are so many things to learn and do, it’s a pity not everyone wants to participate. Doing crossword puzzles regularly is something I’ve been doing for decades, and I always learn something new.     

            Alzheimer’s results in short-term memory impairment. But if you occasionally forget things—have a senior moment, or a senior fart as my friend Barb calls it—it does not mean that you suffer from the disease. According to experts, a mature brain tends to experience moments of rest. These pauses are real and are the reason we experience occasional memory blanks.

Research to find a cure and new treatments for Alzheimer’s continue so there is hope for the future. If you or someone you know is affected, talk to your doctor and reach out to resources in your community. 

Researchers with the UC Davis Alzheimer’s Disease Center and Rutgers University have found that vitamin D insufficiency among the elderly is highly correlated with accelerated cognitive decline and impaired performance such as memory loss associated with Alzheimer’s disease. The effect is “substantial,” with individuals with low vitamin D declining at a rate three times faster than those with adequate vitamin D levels.
            It would be wise for boomers to talk to their doctors about vitamin D.