How to Find a Natural Remedy for Alzheimer’s Disease
If you are a sufferer of Alzheimer’s disease and/or you know it runs in your family, then now is the time to get the help you need to preserve your memory and keep yourself mentally and physically healthy for years to come. For those that must live alongside a person with this horrible condition, it can be emotionally crushing, because no one wants to see a once mentally strong relative or friend wither away into a world of his or her own. The condition literally destroys brain cells, which in turn causes serious loss of mental function. It can also result in a series of delusions or hallucinations, which can be frightening to the sufferer, and just as scary for those standing witness. This process of deterioration can take many years or just a few months depending on the severity of the condition, and the willingness of the person to do everything possible to preserve the remaining cells. There are natural ways to help keep the disease at bay, and that is exactly what this article sets out to discuss.
The most important part in taking care of a person with Alzheimer’s disease is making the necessary changes to diet that can help preserve and protect brain cells. There are several changes that can be made, which will assist in this process. First is the introduction of higher levels of certain vitamins. There are minerals, such as vitamins E, C and B Complex, which have a direct relationship with the brain’s functions. Increased vitamin E has been shown to improve brain function using the remaining cells in Alzheimer’s disease patients. Vitamin C is an antioxidant, which is thought to protect the nerves of the brain from potential harm related to the condition. Finally, there is B-Complex. This is, perhaps, the most important addition to the diet of a patient of this medical disorder, because studies at the collegiate level have proven that it is tied to reduced mental decline. Reports suggest that the rate at which patients mentally deteriorate can be reduced by as much as half, when these vitamins are taken in the early stages of the disease.
Aside from the introduction of vitamin supplements, there are dietary changes that may be made to reduce the speed with which the condition deprives the patients of a normal life. Omega-3 fatty acids, for instance, have been studied several times for their ability to assist as a home remedy. Studies on mice found that this component of the human diet was very effective at slowing the effects of the disease, because of its ability to reduce certain plaques and proteins in the brain. In order to understand why a diet rich in fish, nuts, and legumes that carry this essential amino acid, can be so beneficial, one must first understand the terms “beta-amyloid” and “tau proteins” as both of these play a very influential part in the disease and its development. The first is a portion of the amino acid chain, which can lead to amyloid plaque buildup in the brain. This plaque, which has been found in excess in Alzheimer’s disease patients, is thought to be one of the main causes of its onset. Tau proteins stabilize microtubules, which are one of the components within a cell. Their job is to assist the cell in separating and multiplying, as well as providing the ability of the cell to rid itself of waste. It is thought that when the tau proteins are defective, they fail to offer this stabilization, and microtubules within the cells quit these essential processes, which means no further cell growth and eventual cell deterioration due to waste buildup. Now, diets rich in Omega-3 with DHA were show to result in lower levels of both beta-amyloid and defective tau proteins. It is also important to understand that appetite and food preferences can change with this disease, thus it is important to choose the foods that are consumed wisely. Keep meals smaller and served at several times during the day, rather than serving three big meals that will be too filling, and choose foods that are rich in natural minerals, vitamins, and nutrients that promote healthy brain activity.
Aside from diet and vitamins, there are some small changes to lifestyle that are also thought to help. Continued brain activity is among the most highly suggested. This is to say that patients better retain brain function when they take the time to regularly challenge their mind. This can be done with word games, reading, math problems, and other similarly mental activities. Furthermore, music is a big brain stimulator. Many would recommend classical music, which does serve a purpose, but some do better to listen to music that evokes memories of the past and forces the brain to recapture details of those moments.
The most important thing to remember when treating this disease at home is to remain patient. Whether you are the victim or a loved one, it can be a very frustrating condition, but remaining as free of stress as possible is the best route to maintaining mental and physical health.