AD Basics	Stages	Tips for Caregivers	Prevention
What is AD and what causes it?	What are the stages of AD?	How do I make my home safe?	Which foods prevent AD?
What's going on in the brain?	• Mild or early     stage (stage 1)	How can I make daily living easier?	Does exercise help prevent AD?
What are the causes and risk factors?	• Moderate or     middle stage     (stage 2)	How do I manage the stress?	Will "brain workouts" ward off AD?
What are the signs and symptoms?	• Severe or late     stage (stage 3)	What are my financial and legal options?	References and Resources

Prevention

Although there is nothing you can do about some risk factors for Alzheimer's disease (AD), such as age and genetics, mounting evidence suggests you may be able to reduce your risk of the disease by adopting a healthy diet, getting regular exercise, and engaging in mentally stimulating activities.

Which foods prevent Alzheimer's disease?

AD is characterized by the buildup of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles that kill brain cells. Researchers are still trying to determine the cause of the disease. Much evidence suggests that inflammation, high cholesterol, free radical damage, and brain chemical imbalance may play a role in the disease. Vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals, and other beneficial compounds in certain foods may help combat these processes.

For diet and nutrition tools, visit the RealAge Cafe.

The following are some of the nutrients that might help ward off AD:

• Omega-3 fatty acids may help protect the connections between brain cells and guard neurons against damaging amyloid plaques. One study revealed that people who ate fish rich in omega-3s at least once per week had a 60% decreased risk of developing AD.
  
  Good sources of omega-3s include oily fish, such as salmon, tuna, and herring; vegetable oils, such as flaxseed, soybean, and canola oils; and nuts, including walnuts and soy nuts.
  
  
• Vitamins C and E are antioxidants that may help reduce oxidative stress and inflammation associated with AD. In one study of people over 65, people who took vitamin C and E supplements exhibited a reduced risk of AD. However, further research is needed to confirm these findings.
  
  It is difficult to get the RealAge Optimum dose of vitamins C (1,200 milligrams per day) and E (400 international units per day) through diet alone. Most people need to take supplements.
  
  
• Folate may help reduce the levels of homocysteine, a protein that in high amounts can damage blood vessels and brain cells.
  
  Good sources of folate include oranges, strawberries, avocados, asparagus, Brussels sprouts, artichokes, broccoli, and spinach. The synthetic form of folate -- folic acid -- is found in certain fortified grain foods, such as fortified breads and cereals.
  
  
• Flavonoids are antioxidants that neutralize free radicals that contribute to inflammation and oxidative stress. One study suggests flavonoids may inhibit the enzymes that break down the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. People with AD have low brain levels of acetylcholine.
  
  Good sources of flavonoids include cranberries, cranberry juice, green and black teas, red wine, apples, tomato juice, broccoli, and onions. A diet high in antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables may help protect brain cells against free radical damage. Eating a diet low in fat and cholesterol may help guard against the formation of beta-amyloid plaques, which contribute to AD.

Does exercise help prevent Alzheimer's disease?

Exercise increases blood flow and oxygen delivery to the brain and other body tissues. Evidence from numerous studies suggests that getting regular physical activity helps protect brain cells, in part by improving blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Being physically active may delay the onset of AD and other types of dementia.

Many experts agree that getting at least 30 minutes of physical activity on most days of the week can reduce your risk of obesity and other chronic conditions, including AD. Any activity that gets your muscles working and your blood flowing will do the trick.

You may want to try the following types of exercise:

walking or running tai chi yoga gardening cycling swimming weight training dancing jumping rope tennis

Create your 30-minute RealAge fitness plan here.

Will mental stimulation help ward off Alzheimer's disease?

Staying mentally active may help reduce your risk of AD. Studies suggest that engaging in thought-provoking activities encourages the formation of new connections between brain cells and may even stimulate the production of new brain cells. Compared to people with lower levels of education, people with higher levels of education are less likely to develop AD. Additionally, people in intellectually stimulating professions are less likely to suffer AD than people whose work offers little mental challenge.

To give your brain a workout, continue challenging yourself. Try these activities to get started:

• Read books, magazine, journals, and online Publications.
• Play challenging or strategic games, such as checkers, chess, bridge, and word games such as Scrabble.
• Work crossword puzzles.
• Take a class to learn a new hobby, skill, or language.
• Join clubs to increase your social interaction, participate in stimulating discussions, and learn new things.
• Visit museums.
• Attend lectures.

Concerned about your quality of life? Take the RealAge Test.



More information about Alzheimer's disease (AD)

AARP Magazine: Understanding Medicare, Medigap, and Medicaid

Administration on Aging: Pamphlets and videos on financial and legal matters

Alzheimer's Disease Education & Referral Center: AD information for health professionals, people with the disease and their families, and the public

Alzheimer's Disease International: FAQs on when and how to choose nursing home care

The National Council on the Aging: Benefits CheckUp

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services: The healthcare financing administration

Family Caregiver Alliance: Caregiver and retirement Planning

Family Caregiver Alliance: Provides caregiver information and education

The Alzheimer's Information Site: Sources of legal and financial planning


References

General

Alzheimer's Disease Education & Referral Center

Alzheimer's Disease International

American Health Assistance Foundation

ElderCare Online


Fall Prevention

National Safety Council: Falls in the home


Other Types of Dementia

Feinberg School of Medicine: Frontal lobe dementia

Huntington's Disease Society of America: Huntington's disease

National Center for Infectious Diseases: Bovine spongiform encephalopathy

The National Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease Surveillance Unit : Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease

National Parkinson Foundation: Parkinson's disease


Primary Articles

Cardiovascular fitness, cortical plasticity, and aging. Colcombe, S. J., Kramer, A. F., Erickson, K. I., Scalf, P., McAuley, E., Cohen, N. J., Webb, A., Jerome, G. J., Marquez, D. X., Elavsky, S., Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 2004 Mar 2;101(9):3316-3321. Epub 2004 Feb 20.

Cholesterol and amyloid beta fibrillogenesis. Yanagisawa K., Sub-cellular Biochemistry 2005;38:179-202.

Cholesterol homeostasis in neurons and glial cells. Vance JE, Hayashi H, Karten B., Seminars in Cell & Developmental Biology 2005 Apr;16(2):193-212.

Cognitive activity and incident AD in a population-based sample of older persons. Wilson, R. S., Bennett, D. A., Bienias, J. L., Aggarwal, N. T., Mendes De Leon, C. F., Morris, M. C., Schneider, J. A., Evans, D. A., Neurology 2002 Dec 24;59(12):1910-1914.

Consumption of fish and n-3 fatty acids and risk of incident Alzheimer disease. Morris, M. C., Evans, D. A., Bienias, J. L., Tangney, C. C., Bennett, D. A., Wilson, R. S., Aggarwal, N., Schneider, J., Archives of Neurology 2003 Jul;60(7):940-946.

Docosahexaenoic acid protects from dendritic pathology in an Alzheimer's disease mouse model. Calon, F., Lim, G. P., Yang, F., Morihara, T., Teter, B., Ubeda, O., Rostaing, P., Triller, A., Salem Jr., N., Ashe, K. H., Frautschy, S. A., Cole, G. M., Neuron 2004 Sep 2;43(5):633-645.

Enhancing brain and cognitive function of older adults through fitness training. Kramer, A. F., Colcombe, S. J., McAuley, E., Eriksen, K. I., Scalf, P., Jerome, G. J., Marquez, D. X., Elavsky, S., Webb, A. G., Journal of Molecular Neuroscience 2003;20(3):213-221.

Folate: a key to optimizing health and reducing disease risk in the elderly. Rampersaud, G. C., Kauwell, G. P. A., Bailey, L. B., Journal of the American College of Nutrition 2003 Feb;22(1):1-8.

In vitro anti-beta-secretase and dual anti-cholinesterase activities of Camellia sinensis L. (tea) relevant to treatment of dementia. Okello, E. J., Savelev, S. U., Perry, E. K., Phytotherapy Research: PTR 2004 Aug;18(8):624-627.

Influence of leisure activity on the incidence of Alzheimer's disease. Scarmeas, N., Levy, G., Tang, M. X., Manly, J., Stern, Y., Neurology 2001 Dec 26;57(12):2236-2242.

A prospective study of physical activity and cognitive decline in elderly women who walk. Yaffe, K., Barnes, D., Nevitt, M., Lui, L. Y., Covinsky. K., Archives of Internal Medicine 2001 Jul 23;161(14):1703-1708.

Reduced risk of Alzheimer disease in users of antioxidant vitamin supplements: the Cache County Study. Zandi, P. P., Anthony, J. C., Khachaturian, A. S., Stone, S. V., Gustafson, D., Tschanz, J. T., Norton, M. C., Welsh-Bohmer, K. A., Breitner, J. C., Archives of Neurology 2004 Jan;61(1):82-88.

Worker functions and traits associated with occupations and the development of AD. Smyth, K. A., Fritsch, T., Cook, T. B., McClendon, M. J., Santillan, C. E., Friedland, R. P., Neurology 2004 Aug; 63(3):498-503.