m b a ti e i By Hannah Eucker, DO M
any people might think Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is a prob- lem that doesn’t need addressing until one is in their 70s or 80s. Typically, we deal with Alzheimer’s in a parent or
grandparent, but do not think twice about it developing insidiously in our own brains. Studies have shown that lesions consistent with severe cognitive decline develop within the brain years before symp- toms manifest. In fact, those who develop Alzheimer’s likely had disease to the brain 30 to 40 years before symptoms appeared! This means it is never too early to take action toward brain health! For those who have not crossed paths with Alzheimer’s, AD is a
degenerative disease of the brain leading to memory loss. The mem- ory loss spans a range of signs, symptoms, and prognoses, and may occur as young as 50 years of age. The exact etiology is still unclear, but we do know that people with AD are found to have numerous deposits within their brain tissue called plaques and tangles upon autopsy. These deposits literally litter the brain. The dense growth of the plaques triggers an inflammatory reaction from the brain’s im- mune system that ends up harming or killing one’s own nerve cells through weapons such as free radicals. Why the plaques and tangles develop is an area that continues to elude scientists. Known risk factors include increased age, history of Alzheimer’s in a first-degree relative, head injury, female gender, and lower levels of formal education. Recent studies have shown that production of plaques may be due to reaction of the brain’s immune cells in fighting off Herpes Simplex Virus I (HSVI) in the brain. HSVI is the bug that causes the common cold sore, or canker sore, found on the lips and in the mouth. Seemingly harmless, HSVI may pose a more serious threat if it is truly linked to the pandemic of Alzheimer’s. Not that everyone who’s ever had a canker sore will develop AD. But the potential could be there given the right combination of factors.
Taking Care of the Healthy Brain
Because the brain is flesh and blood like any other organ, the health of the brain is significantly influenced by lifestyle choices. The best way to ensure a healthy brain is through health-promoting interventions such as good nutrition, balancing stress, and improving blood flow. Sound familiar? This approach is important for people who have been diagnosed with AD, and for those trying to ward it off. By bringing surviving neurons to their optimal potential and health, we may reverse, slow, or prevent many symptoms of Alzheimer’s.
Good Nutrition
The high-fat, high-calorie diet that many Americans consume has resulted in a much higher incidence of AD. High-fat and high- calories create oxidative stress on the body, resulting in free radicals that damage brain cells. That’s not to say that all fats are bad. In fact, important to cognitive health are fish oils, especially salmon and tuna, which contain DHA, an omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid. Also beneficial are coconut and olive oils and fats from avocado. These healthy fats support and nurture brain cells, and when consumed at 15%-20% of total calorie intake, they reduce triglyceride and cholesterol levels. Fats to minimize are the animal fats, particularly when grilled, as this produces cancer-promoting carcinogens. Eating one grilled sirloin steak is equivalent to smoking 300 cigarettes!
Balancing Stress Neurobiologic research has shown that chronic unbalanced
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stress plays a powerful role in the development and progression of cognitive decline. In response to chronic stress, the adrenal glands release cortisol. Cortisol has an inhibitory effect on learning and memory. In a four-year study of subjects with average age of 70, those with the highest rise in cortisol showed significant deficit in memory, while the group with the lowest cortisol levels had no deficit in memory. Of those with high cortisol levels, symptoms included morning stress, tension, and anxiety, and could progress to Alzheim- er’s without proper intervention. Stress-relieving techniques are shown to reduce cortisol levels and enhance cognitive function in patients with mild cognitive im- pairment and Alzheimer’s. Such techniques include meditation and an innovative mind-body exercise called kirtan kriya. Kirtan kriya is a specific brain exercise combining breathing, finger movements, and sound currents to induce a meditative state and to stimulate the cen- tral nervous system. This exercise has been shown through imaging to enhance blood flow to the brain and to increase oxygen delivery.
18 Natural Nutmeg December 2012
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