Dementia Prevention

You are aware of the curse of dementia [mainly as Alzheimer’s Disease – AD] either as a risk of ageing or more powerfully because of personal experience of a sufferer.

There IS an inherited ie genetic component related principally to the APOE e4 gene. But lots of people who have the gene don’t get AD. The important information is not whether you have the gene [so don’t rush to get a test] but whether the gene is switched on - this is called gene expression.

Prevention not cure

There is no cure for AD but you can reduce your chances of getting it; or if you have early signs of memory loss you can slow or stop the progression.

AD is triggered by inflammation in the glial tissue in the brain resulting in deposits of tangled abnormal Tau proteins. The inflammation arises from several metabolic sources. The commonest is too much sugar and too much insulin in the bloodstream linked to central body fat. If this is in the early stages it is called the metabolic syndrome [MetS] and when more severe it is type 2 diabetes.

Research studies clearly link both MetS and Type 2 diabetes and the associated inflammation to the risk of AD. So, dealing with this problem is the most important preventive measure you can take. The answer is straightforward if not simple: trim your waist measurement to half your height measurement.

Other causes of inflammation

Sleep disturbance. When we sleep the circulation of fluid in the brain cleans up the tissues reduces local inflammation and initiates cellular repair processes. Poor sleep interrupts this mechanism.

Chronic adrenal stress.  High physical and psychological stress trigger the adrenal gland and constantly raised adrenaline and cortisol increase inflammation.

Couch potato-ism. Regular exercise is a strong preventive step

Raised blood pressure. A report from Johns Hopkins researchers found the use of potassium-sparing diuretics reduced the risk of Alzheimer’s nearly 75 percent, while people who took any type of antihypertensive medication lowered their risk by about a third. People without AD taking blood pressure medication, reduced the risk and those with AD who took certain antihypertensives, were less likely to progress.

Smoking. Enough said.

High cholesterol. Poor blood lipids increase inflammation and stains reduce both cholesterol and reduce inflammation

Ultra-Processed foods. The chemicals in processed food, eg stabilisers, emulsifiers, gums, thickeners and preservatives all raise inflammation.

Other inflammation lowering strategies. Apart from exercise, waist management and sleep, adding lots of anti-inflammatory foods into your diet makes big difference - add lots of fruit and vegetable varieties.