June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month. Everyone who has a brain is at risk of developing Alzheimer’s Disease. There are 50 million people worldwide living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. Alzheimer’s is not part of the normal aging process. It is a fatal disease that kills nerve cells in the brain and affects an individual’s memory. Alzheimer’s is a category of dementia that can cause implications with behavior, thinking, and memory. The symptoms of this disease can surface slowly and typically progress faster in later stages. There is currently no cure, only treatment. The symptoms can lead to drastic changes in behavior and make it difficult to receive the right care. Sufferers of this disease and their caretakers need all the support and love they can receive, which is why The Longest Day Event was created.
The Longest Day® is the Alzheimer's Association's global call-to-action to join the fight to end Alzheimer's on the summer solstice, the day with the most light. It takes place on the summer solstice on June 21 — aka, the longest day of the year. This is a symbolic gesture designed to shine a light of hope and fight the darkness of Alzheimer's.
Five Facts about Alzheimer’s
50 million people are living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias worldwide.
Alzheimer’s is the 6th leading cause of death in the United States.
Every 65 seconds someone in the United States develops Alzheimer’s disease.
One in 10 people age 65 and older has Alzheimer’s disease.
Two-thirds of Americans with Alzheimer’s are women.
What is Alzheimer’s Disease?
Alzheimer’s disease is a degenerative brain disease. Alzheimer’s is a type of dementia that causes problems with memory loss and cognitive abilities. Researchers believe that Alzheimer’s disease begins 20 years or more before you notice symptoms. Symptoms occur because nerve cells (neurons) in parts of the brain have been damaged or destroyed. Symptoms usually develop slowly and worsen over time, interfering with an individuals’ ability to perform everyday activities.
In the early stages, memory loss is mild, and the individual is said to have dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease, or Alzheimer’s dementia. In the late-stage of Alzheimer’s, neurons in parts of the brain that enable a person to carry out basic bodily functions are affected. Individuals lose the ability to carry on a conversation, walk or swallow. The cause may include a combination of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors.
Is Alzheimer’s Disease Hereditary?
Individuals who have a family member with Alzheimer’s are more likely to develop the disease. A genetic mutation is usually passed down from a mother’s gene to her children. Studies have found that people who have a family member with the disease are four to 10 times more likely to develop Alzheimer’s compared with those who have no family history.
The early-onset of Alzheimer disease is inherited from an altered gene. In most cases, an individual with Alzheimer’s inherits the altered gene from one affected parent. People who inherit one of these genetic mutations will develop Alzheimer’s disease, usually before the age of 60.
Does Diet Play a Role in Alzheimer’s?
There is growing evidence for possible dietary risk factors in the development of Alzheimer’s and cognitive decline. Studies have shown that antioxidant nutrients can protect the brain from oxidative and inflammatory damage.
Does eating a Mediterranean style diet help prevent Alzheimer’s? Studies show that people who follow a Mediterranean diet may be less likely to have Alzheimer’s disease. The Mediterranean diet is primarily plant-based foods, such as fruits and vegetables, olive oil, legumes, whole grains, and fish. The diet also recommends using herbs and spices instead of salt and limiting red meat to no more than a few times a month. The typical Western diet contains red meat, saturated fats, and refined sugar.
Brain imaging scans showed a difference in people who followed a Mediterranean diet compared to those who followed a Western diet. The brain scans taken at the beginning of the study showed people who ate a Western diet already had more beta-amyloid deposits than those who ate a Mediterranean diet. Beta-amyloid is a protein known to collect in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s disease. The brains of those who ate a Western diet also showed lower brain activity at the beginning of the study than those who ate a Mediterranean diet. Beta-amyloid deposits and lower brain activity suggests the early onset of dementia which can begin when people are in their 30s, 40s, or 50s.
Research suggests that making healthy food choices may improve the risk of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and help prevent brain tissue loss associated with Alzheimer’s. More research and clinical trials are needed to know to what degree a Mediterranean diet prevents Alzheimer’s or slows the progression of cognitive decline.
Alzheimer’s Disease Warning Signs
Memory Loss – One of the most common signs of Alzheimer’s disease. Confusion – People with Alzheimer’s can lose track of dates and time. Problem Solving – Difficulty concentrating and takes much longer to do things. Misplacing Things – Misplace or lose things and are not able to find them again. Withdrawal – Remove themselves from hobbies, social activities, work projects or sports. Personality Changes – Mood and personality changes. Become confused, depressed, fearful or anxious. Poor Judgment – Experience changes in judgment or decision-making. Talking and Writing – Struggle with vocabulary or have trouble following or joining a conversation. Vision Problems – Difficulty with reading, judging distance and determining color or contrast.
10 Ways to Love Your Brain
BREAK A SWEAT: Engage in regular cardiovascular exercise that elevates your heart rate and increases blood flow to the brain and body. Several studies have found an association between physical activity and reduced risk of cognitive decline.
BUTT OUT: Evidence shows that smoking increases risk of cognitive decline. Quitting smoking can reduce that risk to levels comparable to those who have not smoked.
HEADS UP!: Brain injury can raise your risk of cognitive decline and dementia. Wear a seat belt, use a helmet when playing contact sports or riding a bike, and take steps to prevent falls.
CATCH SOME ZZZ’S: Not getting enough sleep due to conditions like insomnia or sleep apnea may result in problems with memory and thinking.
BUDDY UP: Staying socially engaged may support brain health. Pursue social activities that are meaningful to you. Find ways to be part of your local community – if you love animals, consider volunteering at a local shelter. If you enjoy singing, join a local choir or help at an afterschool program. Or, just share activities with friends and family.
STUMP YOURSELF: Challenge and activate your mind. Build a piece of furniture. Complete a jigsaw puzzle. Do something artistic. Play games, such as bridge, that make you think strategically. Challenging your mind may have short and long-term benefits for your brain.
HIT THE BOOKS: Formal education in any stage of life will help reduce your risk of cognitive decline and dementia. For example, take a class at a local college, community center or online.
FOLLOW YOUR HEART: Evidence shows that risk factors for cardiovascular disease and stroke – obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes – negatively impact your cognitive health. Take care of your heart, and your brain just might follow.
FUEL UP RIGHT: Eat a healthy and balanced diet that is higher in vegetables and fruit to help reduce the risk of cognitive decline. Although research on diet and cognitive function is limited, certain diets, including Mediterranean and Mediterranean-DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension), may contribute to risk reduction.
TAKE CARE OF YOUR MENTAL HEALTH: Some studies link a history of depression with increased risk of cognitive decline, so seek medical treatment if you have symptoms of depression, anxiety or other mental health concerns. Also, try to manage stress.
Growing evidence indicates that people can reduce their risk of cognitive decline by adopting key lifestyle habits. When possible, combine these habits to achieve maximum benefit for the brain and body. Start now. It’s never too late or too early to incorporate healthy habits.
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