April 2024: Alzheimer's Update

Discovered 118 years ago, Alzheimer's disease (AD) continues to confound healthcare officials. It's pathologies are not fully understood and we are still searching a cure.

AD slowly manifests itself over decades before being diagnosed.

Categorized as a neurological-metabolic disease. The bulk of AD interventions are presently addressed through diet changes, exercise, and lifestyle modification.

Approved AD drugs are covered further on in this bulletin.

PROBABILITY OF AD RISES WITH AGE

•  At age 70, the probability is about 15%

•  At age 90, the probability is about 40%

•  At age 105 it escalates to about 60%

Source: Al (Artificial intelligence)

The United States, with 6.7 million

AD sufferers is expected to escalate to 15 million by mid-century. The cost in terms of long-term care and suffering, is staggering.

NEW ANTI-PLAQUE DRUGS

The excessive buildup of brain amyloid plaque has long been the suspected link to AD, however, weak and expensive outcomes with new drugs like Legembi, and Aduhelm, suggests that deeper research is needed to uncover superior interventions.

AVENUES FOR STUDY

Dramatic brain shrinkage occurs as Alzheimer's develops. This atrophy includes the

hippocampus area of the brain which is "brain central" for most memories.

There are many components to brain shrinkage:

•   Insulin resistance (poor sugar uptake in the energy cells).

•   Chronic and low level

inflammation which is detrimental to brain function.

• Brain neuron dysfunction and loss due to diet deficiencies.

WE FIX OUR BRAINS

Alzheimer's, and other mental disorders, are being diagnosed much faster than the population growth, creating a health crisis.

We can't expect the healthcare system to pull us out all of our poor lifestyle habits that deteriorate our brains and bodies.

It's up to the individual to strive for a more healthful lifestyle, starting with, no smoking, reduced alcohol consumption, reducing sugar and refined carbohydrates, and reducing ultra processed foods, deep fried foods, and overeating.

If you were offered a pill to reduce the risk of Alzheimer's by 50%, you'd take it. That's what studies have shown a regular exercise regimen can provide.

So, get out and take a walk!

FOCUS ON METABOLISM

What makes the brain go bad has a lot to do with the way we conduct our lives, day in, day out. Medical experts estimate that about half of our adult population is presently experiencing insulin resistance (blood sugar overload).

Over many years, this widespread metabolic dysfunction, caused mainly by poor diet and lack of exercise, will affect the brain, a precursor to Alzheimer's.

If insulin can't do its job, sugar can't get into the energy cells. This leaves too much surplus sugar in the brain with no place to go. The excess sugar bonds with proteins in the brain producing "Advanced Glycation End-Products," This is a gooey substance, interfering with normal electrical-chemical brain transmission processes. Loss of normal neuron function from metabolic changes, results in reduced brain performance.

FOCUS ON TOXINS

Normal day to day toxins from food, air, and environment, are also found in brain tissue studies. The brain has a molecular barrier that's designed to keep out unwanted pathogens, however it's not 100%.

Toxins and the brain do not go together, reminiscent of the "Mad Hatters of old London" succumbing to mercury poisoning.

Individuals with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), or with a family history of Alzheimer's, might want to avoid game fish high up on the food chain, like shark, swordfish, tuna, plus oysters and clams. Wild bottom fish are preferable.

WHAT IS ALZHEIMER'S ?

Unlike Covid 19, which is a virus, and adult diabetes, which is a metabolic disease, Alzheimer's is a network insufficiency that encompasses a wide range of contributing factors:

•   Insulin resistance (excess sugars)

•   Inflammation

•   Toxicity

•   Amyloid plaque

•   Advanced Glycation End-products

•   Sleep deprivation

•   Chronic stress

•   Oral infections

•   Adult diabetes

•   Obesity

•   Social isolation (depression)

•   Diet deficiency We can't solve AD with amyloid plaque inhibitor medications now on the market. These might give an extra year of longevity, but at huge expense, and false hope.

About one out of six Americans is mentally challenged. Many of these numbers will end up with Alzheimer's. The national healthy system needs to increase research on current advanced Alzheimer's sufferers that encompass all contributing network factors.

For our Health Bulletin readers, this month introces Arlene, who is assuming the bulletin editing job. Arlene will be 92 this June. She has a professional. background in advertising, being highly adept at basic research and non-fiction narrative.