MONTHLY FACT SHEET PUBLISHED BY THE FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCES DIVISION By Danielle Y. Hairston Green, Program Specialist Reviewed by, Dr. Joyce Jeffries, Dr. Aruna Weerasooriya Dr. Jacquelyn M. White & Dr. Samuel S. Sampson October 2015
N u tr i ti o n Fact Sheet
Alzheimer’s and Nutrition According to the National Alzheimer’s Association Alzheimer’s is the 6 th leading cause of death in the United States. It is also the only cause of death listed among the top 10 in America that cannot be prevented, cured, or slowed. Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures Report (2015) states that Alzheimer’s is considered the most common form of dementia and is described as a degenerative brain disease which is categorized by a decline in memory, language, problem-solving and other cognitive skills that affects a person’s ability to perform everyday activities.
Research shows that there are no survivors of Alzheimer’s with 1 out of 3 Alzheimer’s patients dying each year. Additionally, adults diagnosed with Alzheimer’s have a survivor rate of 4 to 20 years from time of diagnosis. There are three stages of Alzheimer’s which include the Early Onset Stage (Mild), Middle Stage (Moderate), and Late Stage (Severe). Those individuals who late stage Alzheimer’s lose the ability to respond to their environment, carry on a conversation, and eventually lose the ability to control their movement. The late stage of Alzheimer’s is the most common stage. There are no single test available to identify a patient as having Alzheimer’s therefore a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s generally involve ruling out other health conditions like Thyroid disease, medication intoxication, brain tumor, severe depression, stroke and vitamin deficiency. Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease which worsens over the years. Alzheimer’s can’t be stopped or slowed. However, According to the Mayo Clinic, treatment and temporarily slowing the worsening of symptoms can involve medication and management strategies as well as nutritional health choices:
Five Suggestions to Boost Your Brain Health
(source: Alzheimer’s Association, Mayo Clinic)
1. Folate It is easy to get enough folate with green vegetables, beans, nuts & seeds, and whole grains.
2. Avoid Animal Fat Animal fat is known to clog brain arteries so researchers and health professionals suggests that you avoid the consumption of animal fat.
3. Omega 3 The most effective omega-3 fats occur naturally in oily fish. Other good sources of Omega 3 are flaxseed oil, soya bean oil, pumpkin seeds, walnut oil and soya beans.
4. Spice Things Up! There might be a reason that the rate of Alzheimer’s in India is one fourth of ours in the U.S. Curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric, breaks up brain plaques of amyloid which is an abnormal protein buildup that is a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease.
5.
Centella-Asiatica Herb
(see image above)
A traditional, therapeutic herb native to India is considered an excellent memory enhancer. Some researcher has suggested that Brahmi Powder is a promising therapy for Alzheimer’s. Strong, healthy families are the foundation of American communities, and family and community well-being is a shared priority of all Americans. Through research and education, the Prairie View A&M University Cooperative Extension Program’s Family and Consumer Sciences component help strengthen families and communities. Family and Consumer Sciences area of focus include Nutrition and Childhood Obesity, Food Safety, Health and Wellness, Parenting, Financial/Money Management, and Bullying. The Family and Consumer Sciences Unit does not discriminate against anyone regardless of their race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity. Member of the Texas A&M University System. Reference: Alzheimer’s Association, Mayo Clinic
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