Alzheimer’s vs. Dementia

What is Alzheimer’s? Alzheimer’s is a progressive brain disorder that causes personality change, memory loss, severe enough to affect work, hobbies or social life. It’s generally found in people over 60. Alzheimer's gets worse over time, and it is fatal. As the disease progresses, the nerves cells in the brain die gradually.

What is Dementia? Dementia is an impairment of thinking and memory that interferes with a person's ability to do things which he or she previously was able to do. Dementia is not a disease. Dementia is a symptom much like pain is a symptom. When you go to the doctor because you hurt, you won't be satisfied if the doctor diagnoses "pain" and sends you home. You want to know what is causing the pain, and how to treat it.

Treatment Supplements, drugs such as donzepil Plaques-Immunization strategies may prevent beta-amyloid from clumping into plaques and help the body clear it from the brain. Production blockers may reduce the amount of beta-amyloid formed in the brain.

Plaques and Tangles Plaques, abnormal clusters of protein fragments, build up between nerve cells. Dead and dying nerve cells contain tangles, which are made up of twisted strands of another protein.

Causes Age, plaques, lifestyle factors, genetics, down syndrome, obesity,

Effects Alzheimer's destroys brain cells, causing problems with thinking, language, memory, poor decision making and behavior. Alzheimer's also causes confusion, feeling disoriented, and mood swings.

Types Early On-set is a rare form of Alzheimer’s in which people are diagnosed with the disease before 65. Late On-set is the most common form of Alzheimer’s disease and it usually occurs after 65. Late-Onset strikes half of all people that are over 65.

Differences The difference between Alzheimer’s and Dementia is that Alzheimer’s is an actual disease while Dementia is a form.

Symptoms Memory-Everyone forgets something, but when people have to tell you who someone is then there’s a problem. Personality and Behavior Change- Depression Social withdrawal Mood swings Distrust in others Irritability and aggressiveness Changes in sleeping habits Wandering Loss of inhibitions Delusions, such as believing something has been stolen Occasional lost of focus, changes in sleep pattern, lack of motivation, difficulty swallowing, Hallucinations, paranoia, wandering, inability to walk,

Normal Brain Alzheimer’s Brain

Preventions- Green tea is rich in a type of flavonoid known as catechins which can reach as high as 1 gram in a single cup. Numerous studies have attest to the health beneficial properties of green tea including its ability to cut the risk of Alzheimer’s.

Olive Oil Olive oil is a healthy, unsaturated fat Olive Oil Olive oil is a healthy, unsaturated fat. The Alzheimer's Research and Prevention Foundation recommends that 20 percent of the calories in your diet come from healthy fats such as olive oil in order to help prevent Alzheimer's. The Fisher Center for Alzheimer's Research Foundation states that healthy fats may improve the functions and health of the brain.

Cheese

Dark Chocolate-Increases blood flow to the brain and may help to protect against conditions with reduced cerebral blood flow like dementia and stroke. To get the most benefits, buy chocolates with low sugar but high cocoa content

Alcohol Alcohol's effects on cognition, brain disorders, and brain chemistry share some features with AD's effects on these three areas, it is plausible that alcohol use might also increase the risk of developing AD

Foods to Avoid!

Whole Milk

Caffeine-Insulin will cause your blood sugar level to go up. Hamburgers

Hotdogs Red Meat-Saturated animal fat in red meat contributes to

Plaques in the brain are thought to contribute to the degradation of brain cells and lead to Alzheimer’s disease. A study found that curcumin in turmeric is an effective substance that removes plagues from the brain. Turmeric, a top anti-inflammatory food used since ancient times, is commonly used as a spice in curry dishes. Legumes Turmeric

Vegetables and Red Wineprotective effect on cognitive function and decreasing the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. This is due to the high levels of flavonoids and possibly other polyphenolics such as resveratrol that are presence in red wine.

Eggs The nutrients in eggs may help prevent Alzheimer's Eggs The nutrients in eggs may help prevent Alzheimer's. Vitamin B12, found in a variety of foods, including eggs, dairy, fish, meat and some fortified cereals, may help protect against Alzhemier’s disease. A study of 271 Finns found those with the highest levels of B12 were least likely to develop dementia

Seafood- Our brains are 70 percent fat so the kinds of fats we eat do have an impact on our brain health. Fish is a great source of omega-3 fats, and people who consume high levels of these anti-inflammatory fatty acids have a lower risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. The most abundant omega-3 fatty acid in the brain, docosahexaenoic acid or DHA, protects brain neurons against the toxic events associated with amyloid plaques and tau tangles, which accumulate from Alzheimer’s disease. Fish is not only a great source of omega-3 fat, but it also provides healthy protein. Wild salmon, halibut, light tuna, cod, flounder, sole, sea bass, shrimp, lobster, scallops, and crab are all healthy choices.  Keep in mind that wild fish has more omega-3 fat than farmed fish.  Smaller fish like salmon or sole are healthier choices because they contain less mercury than larger predatory fish like shark and swordfish.

Whole grains and high-fiber foods are brain-healthy by helping us control weight, lower blood pressure, prevent strokes and reduce the risk for diabetes and heart disease. The body takes longer to digest whole grains and high-fiber foods than processed foods. Examples of whole grains include 100 percent whole grain bread, brown rice, oatmeal and even popcorn.  Eating whole grains helps you feel fuller while eating fewer calories. By choosing whole grains, we avoid processed foods, which remove the vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients and fibers that are essential to a healthy and balanced diet. A diet low in processed foods decreases our risk for metabolic syndrome and Alzheimer’s disease. Whole-grain Fruit-

Herbs/Spices and Seeds-vitamin E - found in nuts, seeds and olive oil - with warding off Alzheimer's.

Poultry lower blood levels of a protein related to Alzheimer's disease and memory problems.

Myths Flu Shot Aspartame

During the 1960s and 1970s, aluminum emerged as a possible suspect in Alzheimer’s. This suspicion led to concern about exposure to aluminum through everyday sources such as pots and pans, beverage cans, antacids and antiperspirants. Since then, studies have failed to confirm any role for aluminum in causing Alzheimer’s. Experts today focus on other areas of research, and few believe that everyday sources of aluminum pose any threat. Myth

Conclusion Although there’s no cure for Alzhemier’s disease