Tag Archives: dementia

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Alzheimer’s Often Leads to Dementia

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Dementia is a name for a group of brain disorders, whereas one or more of them, including Alzheimer’s destroys brain function within centers of the brain by way of various pathologies. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common brain disorder. It is defined as a cognitive fuction decline beyond what might be expected as normal aging. Dementia is not a specific disease but rather a term for the severity of impairment to remember, think, perform daily tasks, and make everyday decisions.

“The risk of developing Alzheimer’s or vascular dementia appears to be increased by many conditions that damage the heart and blood vessels. These include heart disease, diabetes, stroke, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.”

Alzheimer’s Association 2022

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Alzheimer’s most devastating characteristics is the destruction of the brains neural conductors. Whereby memory loss is progressive, then worsens throughout time, causing the inability to communicate, swallow and feed oneself and ultimately shorten lifespan. Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia and leading cause of death in the United States. Those 60 years and older are at increased risk of getting Alzheimer’s disease.

“Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurologic disorder that causes the brain to shrink (atrophy) and brain cells to die. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia — a continuous decline in thinking, behavioral and social skills that affects a person’s ability to function independently.”

[Mayo Clinic 2022]

Alzheimer’s affects approximately 5.8 million people in the United States by gradually destroying memory cells. Fortunately, current treatment can slow down the progression and destruction of brain function significantly and decrease the chance of becoming a dementia statistic. Once diagnosed with Alzheimer’s the average mortality rate is 10 years. However, there are many who beat these averages and live more than 20 years after diagnosis. The younger population is not immune from Alzheimer’s. Those at greatest risk for developing some forms of Dementia are 65 and older. “Out of the ~50 million people worldwide with dementia, between 60-70% are estimated to have Alzheimer’s disease [Mayo Clinic 2022].

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Dementia pathology (disease cause, progression and development), impacts the cortical and sub cortical brain function and can manifest its symptoms and progressive disease through known and unknown cause agents. Nutrition, diet and/or behavioral deficiencies known to influence and lead toward the development of a severe brain disorder:

Key pathologies and nutritional deficiencies that lead to Dementia. Alzheimer’s Alcohol-Induced Dementia, Frontal Lobe Degeneration, Huntington’s, Hypothyroidism, Parkinsons, Vitamin B1, B12, Folate Deficiency, Syphilis, Hypoglycemia, AIDS Dementia Complex, Severe Depression, End Stage Renal Failure, Cardiovascular Disease, etc.

Another factor that could increase risk to Alzheimer's include genetics. 
  • To decrease odds of Alzheimer’s, especially if genetically predisposed [someone in the family has/had Alzheimer’s], make healthy lifestyle choices which include: Maintain healthy diet and body weight, avoid excess alcohol consumption and avoid smoking. Exercise daily and avoid unnecessary stressors. Also look to nurture positive relationships and socialize in healthy environments. These are the best medicines to ward off brain disorders.

“There is a great deal of interest, … in the relationship between cognitive decline and vascular conditions such as heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure, as well as metabolic conditions such as diabetes and obesity.”

National Institute on Aging 2022

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Awareness to possible cause pathologies, signs and symptoms and treatment options will assist greatly in the prevention of cognitive decline and brain disorder(s). There is an extensive list of pharmaceuticals that appear to slow down the progression of any one of the cause pathologies leading to Alzheimer’s and dementia. Talk to your Geriatric and/or Psychiatrist-Neurologist to learn more about a treatment protocol for you, or a loved one. There is no cure for dementia, prevention is the best course. 

Recommendations:
1. See Geriatric Psychiatrist-Neurologist if patient is forgetful, confused, doesn’t recognize people.
2. If diagnosed with a dementia disorder seek medication to slow down the progression.
3. Dementia Prevention – Live an active mental-physical lifestyle, read books, work puzzles, get involved in community activities, services, volunteer, work, daily walks aerobic exercise, etc.
4. Studies show moderate (1-2 Drinks/day) consumption of beer, wine, or distilled spirits may help. “A recent meta-analysis of observational studies concluded that light to moderate alcohol consumption is associated with a reduced risk of dementia, whereas both abstinence and heavy drinking are associated with a higher risk of dementia
” [Google Search 2022]
5. Low blood pressure medications appear to have a dementia health benefit per medical studies.
6. Mediterranean Diet – Consume plant foods (fruits and Vegetables), olive oil, cheese, yogurt, fish, poultry, no more then 1-4 eggs/week, keep total fat intake at 25%, consume less red meat.
7. Supplement diet with a quality daily mineral-vitamin and cognitive brain complex supplement
.

Author: Marc T. Woodard, MBA, BS Exercise Science, USA Medical Services Officer, CPT, RET. 2022 Copyright. All rights reserved, MirrorAthlete Publishing @ www.mirrorathlete.org.

Likely Environmental Causes of Alzheimer’s Disease

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Updated: 20 July 2018

Why is Alzheimer’s disease the 4th leading cause of death among our elderly, only behind heart disease, cancer and stroke? It also happens to be the 3rd most common mineral element on the planet we’re exposed to with frequency.

The World Health Organization to include many other research teams has determined there’s a correlation with aluminum and elderly mental health risk and mortality. “According to Washington DC’s Department of the Planet Earth, United States and Canadian regulatory agencies, acknowledges a potential risk factor in elderly cognitive impairment. It makes sense, research shows aluminum can produce toxic, oxidative stress in the brain and a brain autopsy study of elderly persons found them to have aluminum levels 20+ times higher than a middle-aged group” (Edward 2013).

But not all research institutions are on board with this cause and disease relationship. For instance, people exposed to high levels of aluminum may develop Alzheimer’s disease, but other studies have not found this to be true. We do not know for certain that aluminum causes Alzheimer’s disease. “The ideal being the possibility those diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or genetically predisposed to get it, have brain tissue that absorbs and stores more aluminum to greater degree than others when exposed” (ATSDR 2008).

However it is certain “eating large amounts of processed food containing aluminum additives or frequently cooking acidic foods in aluminum pots may expose a person to higher levels of aluminum than a person who generally consumes unprocessed foods and uses pots made of other materials (e.g., stainless steel or glass). The consensus of this particular study finds aluminum levels found in processed foods and foods cooked in aluminum pots are generally considered to be safe” (ATSDR 2008).

How many processed foods contribute to the disease?

Aluminum is so common within our consumer products it’s also found in city water and everyday hygiene and beauty products.

Other research shows us you are 3 times more likely to develop Alzheimer’s through the use of arousal anti antiperspirants and hair spray containing aluminum. Both entrants into the body are absorbed easily through consumption and may be easily absorbed by the brain through the nasal cavity (Public health reports, Natural health, University of California, Berkeley Wellness Letter).

Aluminum cookware such as pans, pots and thermal beverage holders present absorption of mineral risk into foods. And for a pan lined with a Teflon nonstick surfaces this may present a separate health risk concern. It is suggested by consumer safety advocates Teflon may present health risk. However, M3 and DuPont research, show no conclusive proof that Teflon puts your health at risk.

Compromised Teflon Aluminum Pan. Note the scratch marks – Aluminum particulate breach – Throw it Away!

Cookware sealants became a consumer health issue because 3rd party research shows when you get into varying chemical sealant composites to bind-bond-seal the aluminum or copper cookware as THE protective HEAT barrier may present other known & unknown health risks. “To minimize the amount of aluminum that dissolves into your food from cookware, avoid cooking acidic foods like tomatoes and rhubarb in aluminum pans. Don’t store leftovers in aluminum, because the longer the food sits, the more aluminum it can absorb from the pan. Since more aluminum will dissolve out of old, pitted and worn pans, throw away your aging aluminum cookware. When you replace your old pans, consider upgrading to anodized aluminum pans” (LivingStrong 2015).

How does one find out how much alum, or aluminum sulfate is added to our water?

The amount necessary to reduce algae and turbidity creating crystal clear drinking water from our city utilities dictates the amount of aluminum sulfate required. If you drink city water, you are ingesting alum. Due to the unanswered link between Alzheimer’s and aluminum, (some scientists) are urging water treatment facilities use ferric sulfate, or calcium as opposed to aluminum sulfate to accomplish the job. Call your city treatment facility, or water provider how they treat the water source.

Aluminum is also an occupational hazard, “Exposure to aluminum, unfortunately, is common with some occupations like mining, factory work, and welding. Welding can be especially worrisome because it produces vapors that, when inhaled, send aluminum directly into the lungs in a super absorption status where it is released to the blood and distributed to the bones and brain. Researchers have repeatedly examined the consequence of inhaling aluminum vapors and the results are grim” (Edward 2013).

Regardless of all past studies and research on topic… aluminum-to-Alzheimer’s cause and effect may be triggered, or activated through a gene. “For a minority of Alzheimer’s victims, an identified gene that produces a detectable protein makes them vulnerable to develop this disorder. But in most other cases we don’t know the cause. Suspected causes have included environmental toxins, such as metals (remember throwing out those aluminum pans?), infections, and autoimmune reactions in which the body’s immune system attacks one of its tissues” (Baker and MediResource Clinical Team 2017).

There are no definitive studies to show aluminum absorption is the primary trigger, or cause of Alzheimer’s disease. But instead it appears likely the cause of Alzheimer’s disease is derived from a combination of genetic, environment or lifestyle factors.

Bottled water, how pure is it? Studies show not much better than local drinking water.

Recommendations to Decrease Alzheimer’s Risk,

  1. Medical research correlation between Alzheimer’s disease and aluminum is very compelling in many studies. So much so a prudent person would remove “all” aerosol or cosmetics to include deodorants made of, or containing aluminum. Especially if Alzheimer’s runs in the family – as a preventative measure.
  2. If you see the word alum (aluminum), on any consumer product, or consumable in aluminum container or cookware, or aerosol – seriously consider an alternative product.
  3. If you drink beverages made from aluminum cans, it would be prudent to switch to glass bottled or other container type.
  4. The greatest risk of aluminum exposure at a super absorption rate is an occupational hazard where inhaling vapors presents a serious health risk potential. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) should always be worn during working with or around aluminum vapors and where PPE is inspected with frequency for breach or defects per manufacturer safety use instructions and inspection standards.
  5. Contact your local municipality and ask about aluminum sulfate in your drinking water and do check the bottled water to see if it’s simply bottled city or natural spring water with alum.

Reference,

ATSDR. Health Statement for Aluminum. September 2008. Agency for toxic substances and disease registry.

Baker MD and MediResource Clinical Team. Alzheimer’s Disease. 2017. Canoe.com. Post Media Network, Inc.

Edward Dr. Why I’m Concerned about the Dangers of Aluminum. 17 July 2013. GHC (Global Healing Center).

Webber, Vallery. Health Risks of Cooking Aluminum. Last Updated: 6 May 2015. LivingStrong.

Author: Marc T. Woodard, MBA, BS Exercise Science, ARNG, CPT, RET. 2018 Copyright. All rights reserved, Mirror Athlete Inc., www.mirrorathlete.org, Sign up for your Free eNewsletter.