It’s sadly ironic–we spend decades striving to turn our dreams into reality, but finally when the time comes to take a deep breath, relax, and bask in life’s achievements, we may become a victim of a mysterious brain illness depriving us of reality altogether.   

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia, accounting for more than 60% of all cases. Individuals in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease have difficulty thinking clearly and remembering names, events, and new information. In addition, they may suffer from apathy or depression. Progression of the illness impairs a person’s ability to control moods, emotions, language, and physical body functions. Simple daily tasks such as walking to a nearby grocery store, making a cup of tea, or taking a bath become unachievable.

Every 70 Seconds

Every 70 seconds someone develops Alzheimer’s disease in the United States, the Alzheimer’s Association reports. According to the association’s 2009 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures, more than 5.3 million Americans live with this brain illness, and the number of Alzheimer’s sufferers age 65 and above will reach 7.7 million by 2030. Alzheimer’s is the seventh leading cause of death in the U.S.

Statistics show that a greater number of women than men will develop this form of dementia, because women tend to live longer than men do.

Although in recent decades scientists have made significant strides in the search for causes of the disease and ways to prevent it, there still is no cure or way to slow down the progress of illness once it is diagnosed.

Alzheimer’s Association Chief Medical and Scientific Officer William H. Thies, PhD, listed several risk factors for developing Alzheimer’s Disease over which we have little control: age, family history, and genetics. 

However, there are some risk factors we can affect.

“Other risk factors include lack of physical activity, high blood pressure, isolation, and diet high in saturated fat and low in vegetable matter,” Dr. Thies said.

Larry Sparks, PhD, senior scientist and head of the Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Research at the Banner Sun Health Research Institute in Sun City, AZ, more then 20 years ago decided to look into a possible connection between heart disease and Alzheimer’s disease. Dr. Sparks’ research results indicate that people suffering from high blood pressure and coronary artery disease may be at higher risk for developing Alzheimer’s.

Jeremiah Kelly, MD, associate professor of medicine at Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center in Chicago, cited a variety of factors.

“Studies show that the presence of vascular risk factors such as diabetes, heart disease, hypertension and smoking, increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease,” Dr. Kelly said. “ Data recently published by the Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center show that cerebral infarctions (strokes) commonly co-occur with Alzheimer’s Disease and independently contribute to the likelihood of dementia.  These findings make it clear how important it is for health care providers of older adults to carefully identify and actively address vascular risk factors in order to reduce an older person’s risk of developing dementia.”

Cholesterol Link?

Some scientists also have hypothesized that high levels of cholesterol may play some role in Alzheimer’s disease development. However, this question remains highly debatable and requires further research. 

Cholesterol is a fat-like substance produced by the liver and is released to the bloodstream to be “transported” to different organs to make vitamin D and certain hormones, build cell membranes, and help to digest fat. Even though the human body generally produces enough cholesterol, additional cholesterol may be added to the body by eating such common foods such as egg yolks, meat, poultry, shellfish, and milk and other dairy products. An excess of cholesterol may cause atherosclerosis (thickening of artery walls) or coronary or carotid artery disease.

“Data suggest that if a person has an elevated level of cholesterol during midlife years, it increases the risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease,” Dr. Theis said. “But we also have some data showing that cholesterol-lowering medications are not useful for treating people who already have Alzheimer’s disease”—meaning the time to treat for cholesterol is before Alzheimer’s develops, to help head it off. “It looks as though cholesterol may have a long term effect,” he said

The scientist also indicated that numerous studies were conducted linking high levels of cholesterol to heart disease, so this led to clinical trials with the goal of preventing heart disease. No trials have been done to show whether lowering cholesterol can prevent Alzheimer’s disease, but cholesterol lowering treatments can help with other forms of dementia which are often overlapping in the same patient.

Better to Act Than React

Even though the higher risks of getting Alzheimer’s disease begin at age 60, scientists suggest developing healthy lifestyle habits as early as possible.

“Only five percent” of Alzheimer’s sufferers, Dr. Sparks said, “had genetically predetermined conditions. If somebody wants to be healthy in their sixties, they should start taking care of their health earlier”. Although not genetically predetermined, people do carry genes which make them more susceptible to poor lifestyle choices.

The Alzheimer’s experts unanimously spoke about the importance of finding ways to stay physically active such as regular visits to a gym, swimming, hiking, and bike-riding—but noted even less extreme measures can help.

“Physical activity should become a part of life,” Dr. Theis advised. “It does not mean that a person should have to dress up and go to the gym, because if the person does not like going to the gym, he/she is not going to do it on a long term basis. It is perfectly fine if someone would rather take a walk.”

Data also shows the impact of smoking on this disease. An analysis of 19 studies showed that elderly smokers have a significantly increased risk of Alzheimer’s, vascular dementia and any type of dementia.

The another important component of staying healthy and minimizing risks of developing Alzheimer’s disease is to choose a diet low in cholesterol and saturated fat. Foods of animal origin usually are high in saturated fat. Obesity in midlife is a risk factor for Alzheimer’s in late life.

Dr. Kelly suggested focusing on maintaining healthy blood vessels to prevent getting cardiac disease and strokes as a way to head off Alzheimer’s. “We know that atherosclerosis, which causes heart disease, strokes, and peripheral vascular disease, is caused by inflammation,” Dr. Kelly said. “We also know that Alzheimer’s disease is partly caused by inflammation.”

As a way of avoiding Alzheimer’s it is recommended to monitor blood pressure, cholesterol, and sugar levels in the blood. If any of these parameters fall out of the norm, it is best not to ignore it and discuss the situation with your doctor.

Dr. Sparks suggests drinking purified water, as his research indicates a possible link between copper found in drinking water, high cholesterol levels, and increased risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease.

While taking care of the body, it is important not to forget the mind, too. Dr. Thies recommends regularly finding a free hour to learn something new, to tackle a puzzle or a crossword and enjoy time with family members or friends involved in any mind- inspiring activity.

“It is important to stay mentally active in a social environment,” Dr. Thies said. Staying in touch with friends is especially important for patients’ diagnosed as being in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease–it helps them reduce isolation and avoid depression.

“It is important to realize that Alzheimer’s disease is a chronic illness and people will live with it for a significant amount of time,” Dr. Theis concluded. “All things we have suggested will have a lot of benefits.”

            –Gabija Steponenaite

Resources:

• Alzheimer’s Association: http://www.alz.org
• Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures
• http://www.alz.org/national/documents/report_alzfactsfigures2009.pdf
• Dr. Jeremiah Kelly, http://www.rush.edu
• Dr. Larry Sparks: http://www.bannerhealth.com
• Dr. William H. Thies, http://www.alz.org