Treat Brain Disease With Smart Nutrition
Treatments for Alzheimer’s disease are elusive. The goal is to treat Alzheimer’s disease symptoms and help the patient live as independently as possible as long as possible.
The market for medications to treat Alzheimer’s disease is estimated at $5.2 billion across eight countries in 2015. By 2021, the market value is projected to reach $11.3 billion. Increased disease prevalence is projected to be the key growth driver. The development of new medications will be a secondary driver.
Six drugs have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that temporarily improve symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease by increasing the amount of chemicals called neurotransmitters in the brain. The effectiveness of these drugs varies from person to person.
None of the treatments available today for Alzheimer’s disease slows or stops the damage to neurons.
Many factors contribute to the difficulty of developing effective treatments for Alzheimer’s disease. These factors include the high cost of drug development, the relatively long time needed to observe disease progression in Alzheimer’s, and the structure of the brain, which is protected by the blood-brain barrier, through which few drugs can cross.
Proper nutrition can benefit those with Alzheimer’s disease. Poor nutrition can complicate dementia. Provide a balanced diet with a variety of foods (vegetables, fruits, whole grains, low-fat dairy products and lean protein foods). Limit foods with saturated fat to help keep cholesterol levels down. Go light on fats that are bad for heart health, such as butter, solid shortening, lard and fatty cuts of meats.
Fats from avocados and fish are often beneficial. Limit refined sugars from processed foods. You can treat a sweet tooth with fruit, honey or juice-sweetened baked goods.
Weight loss can be a problem so adding sugar to foods might help. Limit salt consumption to manage blood pressure. Use more spices and herbs to season food.
As Alzheimer’s disease progresses, loss of appetite and weight loss may become concerns. Add supplements between meals to add calories. Staying hydrated also can be a problem. Encourage small cups of water and other liquids throughout the day. Offer foods with high water content, such as fruit, vegetables, soup, ice cream and smoothies.
Although the outlook for treatments is bleak, having an early diagnosis helps families plan for the future, make living arrangements, take care of financial and legal matters, and develop support networks. Plus, beginning treatment for Alzheimer’s disease can help preserve function.
However, there have been some breakthroughs that offer hope in the battle against Alzheimer’s disease. Drugs known as anti-TNF blockers, already in use as a powerful therapy for rheumatoid arthritis, could offer hope against Alzheimer’s disease. Scientists in the U.S. showed that people with arthritis who take these drugs have a reduced risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
Some scientists are studying whether turmeric, magnesium, folic acid and Vitamin D3 are effective treatments for Alzheimer’s disease. The immune-boosting effects of vitamin D3 in combination with curcumin (found in turmeric), seems to help purge some of the protein buildup in the brain. Both vitamin D and curcumin have shown efficacy against Alzheimer’s disease. They might accomplish even more when used in combination. Alpha-lipoic acid supplements also show efficacy when treating Alzheimer’s disease.
There are proven strategies to help avert neurodegenerative disease, including smart nutrition, exercise and prion aversion. There is not a cure for prion disease, but smart nutrition can ease the symptoms. Preview and order the eBook now to defend yourself and your family.
Gary Chandler is a prion expert. He is the CEO of Crossbow Communications, author of several books and producer of documentaries about health and environmental issues around the world. Chandler is connecting the dots to the global surge in neurodegenerative disease, including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, chronic wasting disease and other forms of prion disease. The scientific name for prion disease is transmissible spongiform encephalopathy.