The Many Faces of Alzheimer"s: 5 Steps for Reducing the Risk
Alzheimer's is on the rise.
Go ahead, Google it, and you'll find the numbers are astounding! In March of this year, the Connecticut Post reported that the costs of caring for those living with this horrific condition was expected to reach $200 billion dollars! However, I do not share this dollar amount with you because I'm concerned about the money.
Not even close; I'm passionate about the quality of our lives and when something like Alzheimer's is increasing,, that tells me something is very 'wrong' and with awareness, can be reduced and quite possibly prevented.
My grandmother left this planet in 2006 with the diagnosis of Alzheimer's.
Her last lucid words to me were: 'I refuse to live this way'; even though she couldn't quite grasp what 'this way' was.
She was angry, frightened, trapped, removed, and most importantly hungry for love which was rapidly slipping from her grasp.
Oddly enough, her death certificate reflected the starvation factor claiming she died from complications due to anorexia.
Hmmmmm...
Yet, my passion began revealing itself many years prior to the onset of her condition because she was not the first in her family.
She was one of 13 faced with living in this manner.
Some opted to stick it out; and some, like her, chose not too.
Regardless of the road he or she took, I was, and remain, determined to reduce my chances, substantially! 1) I stopped using antiperspirants and started using essential oils as a deodorant.
Jasmine, patchouli and sandalwood to be exact.
It smells differently on every body; AND apparently pretty good on me because to this day, I am approached by perfect strangers and asked what perfume I'm wearing.
The reason for this step is due to the aluminum in antiperspirants which is absorbed directly into the blood stream and has been linked to Alzheimer's 2) I eat intentionally.
I don't eat so much of this and so much of that on a daily basis.
I simply eat what my body is asking for; paying attention to how I feel and what's driving my hunger.
With that said, there are some basic guidelines: greens, whole grains, low glycemic, lean protein from vegetable sources, unprocessed, simple clean foods.
To put it another way, I follow an anti-inflammatory, alkaline forming lifestyle.
Studying holistic nutrition and FOLLOWING my own recommendations has proven to be truly effective.
Not only is my mind as sharp as ever, I'm physically strong, I have no gray hair (confirmed by my hair dresser), few time lines, and my hormones are in check.
PLUS, no signs of gum disease, cavities OR any indicators of early onset! 3) Identify your craving for sugar.
My guess is you don't really need or want the sugar; you're actually craving a sweeter life and using sugar as a substitute.
I digress...
So yes, excess sugar intake (which is also on the rise due to all the Fat Free products out there and the subsequent flavor enhancers put in it's place) leads to Type 2 Diabetes.
What does this have to do with Alzheimer's? Plenty, they're linked.
Those living with Type 2 Diabetes are at high risk for developing this difficult condition.
So, whether you are predisposed to Diabetes or already have it, there are ways to not be a statistic, reverse those numbers, get it under control and reduce the chance of being another statistic.
4) Include quality fats into your diet.
Studies have identified benefits of using coconut oil in place of canola, vegetable or safflower oil.
I also recommend raw hemp seeds added to breakfast cereal, included into baked goods and so on.
Hemp seed is considered a complete protein supplying fiber, omega 3′s and 6′s, vitamins B, A, D and E along with calcium and other nutrients.
Making hemp seed a part of your regular diet not only offers optimal brain health, it protects your heart, reduces the risk of diabetes (isn't nature fabulous?), cancer, enhances skin tone, promotes weight loss due to it's anti-inflammatory effects (gotta love momma nature) and it keeps your digestive track clean! Not to be excluded is olive oil.
A good friend recently pointed this out and she is correct; olive oil has a naturally occurring compound, oleocanthal, which has been found to alter the structure of neurotoxic proteins possibly linked to the progression of Alzheimer's.
As it is with anything, information is subjective and no one has any definitive answers.
What I do know, is prevention far outweighs reaction and a wholesome, intentional eating plan does wonders for our wellbeing.
5) Neurobics (my word) ~ keep your mind busy! Yes, physical activity is important, so, by all means keep moving; just change up the routine.
We get bored with the same old thing, day in and day out.
Even our bodies plateau with the same workouts; the same holds true for our minds.
Avoid driving the same route to work, school or the store; mix it up.
Try out different yoga practices; do puzzles, play board games, card games, the game of Twister; anything to keep the mind stimulated and creating new connections.
And one more for good measure...
PLEASE touch people.
The magic of our touch triggers so many good things in the body, keeping the mind active, in addition to keeping the heart happy! What better way to reduce the risk feeling poorly? In honor of good health and wellness...
here's to you and your family!
Go ahead, Google it, and you'll find the numbers are astounding! In March of this year, the Connecticut Post reported that the costs of caring for those living with this horrific condition was expected to reach $200 billion dollars! However, I do not share this dollar amount with you because I'm concerned about the money.
Not even close; I'm passionate about the quality of our lives and when something like Alzheimer's is increasing,, that tells me something is very 'wrong' and with awareness, can be reduced and quite possibly prevented.
My grandmother left this planet in 2006 with the diagnosis of Alzheimer's.
Her last lucid words to me were: 'I refuse to live this way'; even though she couldn't quite grasp what 'this way' was.
She was angry, frightened, trapped, removed, and most importantly hungry for love which was rapidly slipping from her grasp.
Oddly enough, her death certificate reflected the starvation factor claiming she died from complications due to anorexia.
Hmmmmm...
Yet, my passion began revealing itself many years prior to the onset of her condition because she was not the first in her family.
She was one of 13 faced with living in this manner.
Some opted to stick it out; and some, like her, chose not too.
Regardless of the road he or she took, I was, and remain, determined to reduce my chances, substantially! 1) I stopped using antiperspirants and started using essential oils as a deodorant.
Jasmine, patchouli and sandalwood to be exact.
It smells differently on every body; AND apparently pretty good on me because to this day, I am approached by perfect strangers and asked what perfume I'm wearing.
The reason for this step is due to the aluminum in antiperspirants which is absorbed directly into the blood stream and has been linked to Alzheimer's 2) I eat intentionally.
I don't eat so much of this and so much of that on a daily basis.
I simply eat what my body is asking for; paying attention to how I feel and what's driving my hunger.
With that said, there are some basic guidelines: greens, whole grains, low glycemic, lean protein from vegetable sources, unprocessed, simple clean foods.
To put it another way, I follow an anti-inflammatory, alkaline forming lifestyle.
Studying holistic nutrition and FOLLOWING my own recommendations has proven to be truly effective.
Not only is my mind as sharp as ever, I'm physically strong, I have no gray hair (confirmed by my hair dresser), few time lines, and my hormones are in check.
PLUS, no signs of gum disease, cavities OR any indicators of early onset! 3) Identify your craving for sugar.
My guess is you don't really need or want the sugar; you're actually craving a sweeter life and using sugar as a substitute.
I digress...
So yes, excess sugar intake (which is also on the rise due to all the Fat Free products out there and the subsequent flavor enhancers put in it's place) leads to Type 2 Diabetes.
What does this have to do with Alzheimer's? Plenty, they're linked.
Those living with Type 2 Diabetes are at high risk for developing this difficult condition.
So, whether you are predisposed to Diabetes or already have it, there are ways to not be a statistic, reverse those numbers, get it under control and reduce the chance of being another statistic.
4) Include quality fats into your diet.
Studies have identified benefits of using coconut oil in place of canola, vegetable or safflower oil.
I also recommend raw hemp seeds added to breakfast cereal, included into baked goods and so on.
Hemp seed is considered a complete protein supplying fiber, omega 3′s and 6′s, vitamins B, A, D and E along with calcium and other nutrients.
Making hemp seed a part of your regular diet not only offers optimal brain health, it protects your heart, reduces the risk of diabetes (isn't nature fabulous?), cancer, enhances skin tone, promotes weight loss due to it's anti-inflammatory effects (gotta love momma nature) and it keeps your digestive track clean! Not to be excluded is olive oil.
A good friend recently pointed this out and she is correct; olive oil has a naturally occurring compound, oleocanthal, which has been found to alter the structure of neurotoxic proteins possibly linked to the progression of Alzheimer's.
As it is with anything, information is subjective and no one has any definitive answers.
What I do know, is prevention far outweighs reaction and a wholesome, intentional eating plan does wonders for our wellbeing.
5) Neurobics (my word) ~ keep your mind busy! Yes, physical activity is important, so, by all means keep moving; just change up the routine.
We get bored with the same old thing, day in and day out.
Even our bodies plateau with the same workouts; the same holds true for our minds.
Avoid driving the same route to work, school or the store; mix it up.
Try out different yoga practices; do puzzles, play board games, card games, the game of Twister; anything to keep the mind stimulated and creating new connections.
And one more for good measure...
PLEASE touch people.
The magic of our touch triggers so many good things in the body, keeping the mind active, in addition to keeping the heart happy! What better way to reduce the risk feeling poorly? In honor of good health and wellness...
here's to you and your family!
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