Keep Your Brain Active and Healthy

## An Alzheimer’s-Resistant Brain ##

Prevention is better than cure according to the latest research into Alzeimers Disease. Currently there is no cure for Altzeimers and studies are now focusing on preventing the development of the disease instead.

Only 5-8% of Alzeimers disease is genetically linked. Studies show that even with identical twins, if one gets Alzeimers, there is a NOT a higher chance that the other twin will get it too. There is some proof that Alzeimers can be linked more to the style of life you choose to live.

What is the Cause of Alzeimers?

Alzheimer’s disease was first noted by a German psychiatrist, Dr Alzheimer, in 1901 and is the most common cause of dementia affecting millions of people worldwide. Dr Alzheimer had a patient displaying strange symptoms including difficulty sleeping, disturbed memory, drastic mood changes and increasing confusion. After her passing, he was able to do an autopsy and found irregularities in her brain structure. Under a microscope he found mis-folded proteins called plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. The plaques and tangles work together to break down the brain structure.

Plaques arise when another protein in the fatty membrane surrounding nerve cells get sliced up by a particular enzyme resulting in beta-amyloid proteins which are sticky and tend to clump together. Those clumps form what we know as plaques. They block signaling and communication between cells which causes an immune reaction that destroys disabled nerve cells.

Neurofibrillary tangles are built from a protein called Tau protein. The nerve cells in the brain form something like a network of tubes that allow for the transportation of food molecules. These Taus keep those tubes open and straight allowing those molecules to pass through freely. But with Alzheimers the protein collapses into twisted strands or tangles making the tubes to disintegrate obstructing the free movement of food molecules that feed the cell, leading to cell death.

The destructive pairing of tangles and plaques starts in the area of the brain we call the hippocampus, found at the bottom back of the head. The hippocampus is responsible for forming memories. This is why short term memory loss is the first symptom of Alzheimer’s. The protein then invades other parts of the brain which then result in the different stages of the disease. The protein destroys the ability to process logical thoughts, then they move to the area that controls emotions which results in mood changes, then they move to the top of the brain and cause hallucination and paranoia. They then move on the back of the brain and erase the brains deepest memories. Eventually it destroys the part of the brain that heart rate and breathing are controlled, leading to death.

Here are some ways you can prevent developing Alzheimers later on in life:

Fast walking, 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week is great for your brain and your heart. It is linked to 30% less chance of getting Alzheimers.
Add vigorous aerobics that increases your heart rate, 3x a week of 20 minutes each, you reduce your chance by 50%.

Play mentally engaging and interactive brain fitness games regularly
You can build new neural connections just by keeping your brain stimulated. There are many places online that specialize in mental fitness games for example [Lumosity.com] (https://www.lumosity.com/), [Mindgames.com] (https://www.mindgames.com/Brain+Games), Anti-[AgingGames.com] (http://www.anti-aginggames.com/) and [Alzheimers.net] (https://www.alzheimers.net/11-5-14-brain-training-games/).

Any kind of learning; learning new languages later on in life, learning to play a musical instrument will keep the brain young and healthy. Learning with a social component, such as ballroom dancing are excellent too.

Being social is very good for you – ask any psychologist
A Harvard study shows that people with 5 or more ties with people they enjoy spending time with had half the rate of cognitive decline than socially isolated individuals. If your circumstances have isolated you in some way, maybe you just moved to another town or country, try volunteering groups where you can meet high quality people to connect with.

Avoid poisons like smoking, drinking and other forms of self-medication
Smoking in mid-life doubles your chances of getting Alzeimers later on in life. Even the occasional social cigarette causes your body to act as if it is being poisoned, since that is exactly what is happening!

Avoid toxins in your everyday life
There is a website called cosmeticsdatabase.com where you can put in your cleaning products, sunscreen, make-up etc. and it will put out how toxic it is based on a scale of 1-10.

Have a purpose and life direction
People who have a strong purpose or direction in life have at least a 2.4 times less chance of getting Dementia than people without a purpose or direction. You can choose any cause to work towards which is outside of yourself that exposes you to other people and helps the community.

Relax, meditate, yoga, walking
Stress shrinks your brain and rewires it causing memory loss, difficulties in decision making and ends up messing with your emotional regulatory system. Stress releases cortisol in your body. Too much of it can affect those parts of the brain that are essential for good memory, decision making, anxiety and mood.

Protect your head
People who have had a serious head injury have 2 to 4 times increased chance of having Alzeimers in later life.
Never text when driving as these people have 23x the accident rate as those who don’t. Basically it is equivalent to drinking 4 drinks and then driving.

The Mediterranean Village Diet (Eating colorfully) is great to follow for health reasons. It involves eating 7-10 servings of fruit and vegetables per day. Fresh is best, steamed is 2nd best. Eat various nuts and almonds raw as eating nuts regularly may protect you from cardiovascular diseases as well.

As a great source of information on the Mediterranean Diet, visit https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/mediterranean-diet-meal-plan.

There is a neural protective effect on the brain with positive thinking
Your brain does not know the difference between real or imagined. Practice being grateful, rather than complaining and describe yourself using positive words and avoid negativity wherever possible. Learn lessons and then let go.

Images: from Google Images