Are You at Risk for Getting Alzheimer’s Disease?
Wednesday, April 2nd, 2008
Kris Kelkar asked:
Introduction
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive condition that damages
areas of the brain involved in intelligence, memory, behavior,
judgment, and language. It is the most common form of mental
decline in older adults. Alzheimer’s gets worse over time, but
the course of the disease varies from person to person. Some
people may still be able to function relatively well until late
stages of Alzheimers disease. Others may lose the ability to do
daily activities in earlier stages. Over time, Alzheimer’s
disease causes severe mental and functional problems and
eventually results in death.
Causes
Scientists do not yet fully understand the causes of Alzheimer’s
disease. There probably is not one single cause, but several
factors that affect each person differently.
Recent studies indicate that amyloid beta protein may cause
Alzheimer’s disease. In healthy people, this protein can cross
the blood-brain barrier (the wall of blood vessels that feed the
brain and regulate the entry and exit of brain chemicals) and
leave the brain. In people with Alzheimers disease, amyloid beta
protein can’t pass through that barrier. As more amyloid beta
protein accumulates in a person’s brain, they become more and
more mentally disabled.
Research has recently revealed that consumption of sugar could
be one of the biggest threats to our overall health - especially
when it comes to age related diseases such as Alzheimer’s. One
of the major problems stemming from sugar over-consumption is a
chemical process called glycation. Glycation refers to the
combination of a sugar and a protein molecule and occurs in your
body when glucose in your blood combines with the amino acids
tryptophan, lysine or arginine. This reaction releases
byproducts called Advanced Glycation Endproducts (appropriately
given the acronym AGE).
The formation of AGEs is accelerated when you have lower levels
of antioxidants in your system and when your kidneys are weak or
malfunctioning. The formation is also accelerated when blood
sugar levels are high. Researchers now believe that glycation
and the formation of AGEs lie at the heart of the alteration of
proteins in the brain that cause Alzheimer’s disease.
Risk Factors
Age is the most important known risk factor for Alzheimer’s
disease. The number of people with the disease doubles every 5
years beyond age 65.
Blood sugar problems that cause excess glucose in the blood,
such as diabetes, has now been added to the list of risk factors
for Alzheimer’s, given the role of glycation.
Family history is another risk factor, depending on the type of
Alzheimer’s . Familial Alzheimer’s Disease, a rare form of
Alzheimer’s that usually occurs between the ages of 30 and 60,
is inherited - so family history is a big risk factor. The more
common form of Alzheimers disease is known as late-onset
Alzheimer’s. It occurs later in life, and no obvious inheritance
pattern is seen.
Relationship to Aluminum
Since 1965, researchers have suspected that Alzheimers disease
is related to accumulations of aluminum in the brain. A
relationship between aluminum in drinking water and Alzheimer’s
has now been established. Additionally, a study looked at the
association of Alzheimer’s and lifetime exposure to aluminum in
antiperspirants and antacids. Scientists found a direct
correlation. The more antiperspirant that was used, the more
likely the person would develop Alzheimers disease. The same
held true for aluminum antacids. It is hard to deny that
environmental exposure to aluminum is at least related to
Alzheimer’s.
Symptoms and Cures
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive disease for which there is
no known cure. However, various therapies and treatments can
slow the progression of Alzheimer’s. Therefore, it is important
to know the warning signs for each stage of Alzheimer’s and detect the condition
early. If caught early alpha lipoic acid and other Alzheimer’s
treatments can be used to slow (and possibly stop) the
progression of the disease.
Willie
Introduction
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive condition that damages
areas of the brain involved in intelligence, memory, behavior,
judgment, and language. It is the most common form of mental
decline in older adults. Alzheimer’s gets worse over time, but
the course of the disease varies from person to person. Some
people may still be able to function relatively well until late
stages of Alzheimers disease. Others may lose the ability to do
daily activities in earlier stages. Over time, Alzheimer’s
disease causes severe mental and functional problems and
eventually results in death.
Causes
Scientists do not yet fully understand the causes of Alzheimer’s
disease. There probably is not one single cause, but several
factors that affect each person differently.
Recent studies indicate that amyloid beta protein may cause
Alzheimer’s disease. In healthy people, this protein can cross
the blood-brain barrier (the wall of blood vessels that feed the
brain and regulate the entry and exit of brain chemicals) and
leave the brain. In people with Alzheimers disease, amyloid beta
protein can’t pass through that barrier. As more amyloid beta
protein accumulates in a person’s brain, they become more and
more mentally disabled.
Research has recently revealed that consumption of sugar could
be one of the biggest threats to our overall health - especially
when it comes to age related diseases such as Alzheimer’s. One
of the major problems stemming from sugar over-consumption is a
chemical process called glycation. Glycation refers to the
combination of a sugar and a protein molecule and occurs in your
body when glucose in your blood combines with the amino acids
tryptophan, lysine or arginine. This reaction releases
byproducts called Advanced Glycation Endproducts (appropriately
given the acronym AGE).
The formation of AGEs is accelerated when you have lower levels
of antioxidants in your system and when your kidneys are weak or
malfunctioning. The formation is also accelerated when blood
sugar levels are high. Researchers now believe that glycation
and the formation of AGEs lie at the heart of the alteration of
proteins in the brain that cause Alzheimer’s disease.
Risk Factors
Age is the most important known risk factor for Alzheimer’s
disease. The number of people with the disease doubles every 5
years beyond age 65.
Blood sugar problems that cause excess glucose in the blood,
such as diabetes, has now been added to the list of risk factors
for Alzheimer’s, given the role of glycation.
Family history is another risk factor, depending on the type of
Alzheimer’s . Familial Alzheimer’s Disease, a rare form of
Alzheimer’s that usually occurs between the ages of 30 and 60,
is inherited - so family history is a big risk factor. The more
common form of Alzheimers disease is known as late-onset
Alzheimer’s. It occurs later in life, and no obvious inheritance
pattern is seen.
Relationship to Aluminum
Since 1965, researchers have suspected that Alzheimers disease
is related to accumulations of aluminum in the brain. A
relationship between aluminum in drinking water and Alzheimer’s
has now been established. Additionally, a study looked at the
association of Alzheimer’s and lifetime exposure to aluminum in
antiperspirants and antacids. Scientists found a direct
correlation. The more antiperspirant that was used, the more
likely the person would develop Alzheimers disease. The same
held true for aluminum antacids. It is hard to deny that
environmental exposure to aluminum is at least related to
Alzheimer’s.
Symptoms and Cures
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive disease for which there is
no known cure. However, various therapies and treatments can
slow the progression of Alzheimer’s. Therefore, it is important
to know the warning signs for each stage of Alzheimer’s and detect the condition
early. If caught early alpha lipoic acid and other Alzheimer’s
treatments can be used to slow (and possibly stop) the
progression of the disease.
Willie
