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Rita Anderson

Professor: Jean Widdison

HLTH-1020

04/07/17

Alzheimers

Alzheimers is a family disease. My father died of Alzheimer's in 2002 he started to do my

research on the Alzheimer's sea because I think it is something that I should start taking

preventive measures, since I can inherit it until the fourth generation, especially if I take it with

me in genetic form, had not thought before this way but now is the time to begin.

It was very painful for me that I was his only daughter, to lose it that way, now the science to

advanced so much that practically people can prevent the brain from deteriorating, with good

nutrition and enough exercises, sleeping at least eight hours a day avoid stress cigarettes and

alcoholics drinks are the recommendations that I will share with my teacher in this search of

truth.

description of the disease

Memory loss that disrupts daily life may be a symptom of Alzheimers or another dementia.

Alzheimers is a brain disease that causes a slow decline in memory, thinking and reasoning

skills. There are 10 warning signs and symptoms. Every individual may experience one or more

of these signs in different degrees. One of the most common signs of Alzheimers is memory

loss, especially forgetting recently learned information. Others include forgetting important dates

or events; increasingly needing to rely on memory aids (e.g., reminder notes or electronic

devices) or family members for things they used to handle on their own. Sometimes forgetting

names or appointments, but remembering then later. Some people may experience changes in
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their ability to develop and follow a plan or work with numbers. They may have difficulty

concentrating and take much longer to do things than they did before. often find it hard to

complete daily tasks, sometimes trouble driving, managing a budget at work or remembering the

rules of a favorite game. People with Alzheimers can lose track of dates, seasons and the

passage of time. They may have trouble understanding something if it is not happening

immediately. Sometimes they may forget where they are or how they got there. Most of the time

they may have trouble following a conversation and have no idea how continue. They may put

things in unusual places, they may accuse others of stealing. They may pay less attention to

grooming or keeping themselves clean. Also they may start to remove themselves from social

activities, they may also avoid being social because of the changes they have experienced.

The mood and personalities of people with Alzheimers can change. They can become

confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful or anxious. They may be easily upset at home, at work,

with friends or in places where they are out of their comfort zone.

Scientist known

While scientists know Alzheimers disease involves progressive brain cell failure, the reason

cells fail isnt clear. Like other chronic conditions, experts believe that Alzheimers develops as a

complex result of multiple factors rather than any one overriding cause. The greatest risk factors

for Alzheimers and carrying the APOE-e4 gene. The discovery of additional risk factors will

deepen our understanding of why Alzheimers develops in some people and not others.

Age and Alzheimers

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Although Alzheimers is not a normal part of growing older, the growing older, the greatest risk

factor for the disease is increasing age. After age 65, the risk is doubles every five years. After

age 85, the risk reaches nearly 50 percent.

Family history and Alzheimers

Another Alzheimers risk factor is family history. Research has shown that those who have a

parent, brother, sister or child with Alzheimers are more likely to develop the disease. The risk

increases if more than one family member has the illness. When diseases tend to run in families,

either heredity (genetics) or environmental factors or both may play a role.

Genetics and Alzheimers

There are two categories of genes that influence whether a person develops a disease:

Risk Genes
Deterministic Genes

Risk genes increase the likelihood of developing a disease, but do not guarantee it will happen.

Researchers have found several genes that increase the risk of Alzheimers. APOE-e4 is the first

risk of developing Alzheimers those who inherit two copies have an even higher risk, but not a

certainty. In addition to raising risk, APOE-e4 may tent to make symptoms appear at younger age

than usual.

health complications, prevention, treatment options, extent of diets:

Can Alzheimer's be prevented? It's a question that continues to intrigue researchers and fuel new

investigations. There are no clear-cut answers yet partially due to the need for more large-

scale studies but promising research is under way. The Alzheimer's Association continues to
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fund studies exploring the influence of exercise, diet, social and mental stimulation, and other

factors in the development of Alzheimers.

What causes Alzheimers?

Experts agree that in the vast majority of cases, Alzheimer's, like other common chronic

conditions, probably develops as a result of complex interactions among multiple factors,

including age, genetics, environment, lifestyle, and coexisting medical conditions. Although

some risk factors such as gene or genes cannot be changed, other risk factors such as high

blood pressure and lack of exercise usually can be changed to help reduce risk. Research in

these areas may lead to new ways to detect those at highest risk.

Prevention studies

A small percentage of people with Alzheimers disease (less than 1 percent) have an early-

onset type associated with genetic mutations. Individuals who have these genetic mutations

are guaranteed to develop the disease. An ongoing clinical trial conducted by the

Dominantly Inherited Alzheimer Network (DIAN), is testing whether antibodies to beta-

amyloid can reduce the accumulation of beta-amyloid plaque in the brains of people with

such genetic mutations and thereby reduce, delay or prevent symptoms. Participants in the

trial are receiving antibodies (or placebo) before they develop symptoms, and the

development of beta-amyloid plaques is being monitored by brain scans and other tests.

Another clinical trial, known as the A4 trial (Anti-Amyloid Treatment in Asymptomatic

Alzheimers), is testing whether antibodies to beta-amyloid can reduce the risk of

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Alzheimers disease in older people (ages 65 to 85) at high risk for the disease. The A4 trial

is being conducted by the Alzheimers Disease Cooperative Study.

Hearthead connection

Several conditions known to increase the risk of cardiovascular disease such as high

blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol also increase the risk of developing

Alzheimer's. Some autopsy studies show that as many as 80 percent of individuals with

Alzheimer's disease also have cardiovascular disease.

A longstanding question is why some people develop hallmark Alzheimer's plaques and

tangles but do not develop the symptoms of Alzheimer's. Vascular disease may help

researchers eventually find an answer. Some autopsy studies suggest that plaques and

tangles may be present in the brain without causing symptoms of cognitive decline unless

the brain also shows evidence of vascular disease. More research is needed to better

understand the link between vascular health and Alzheimers.

Physical exercise and diet

Regular physical exercise may be a beneficial strategy to lower the risk of Alzheimer's and

vascular dementia. Exercise may directly benefit brain cells by increasing blood and oxygen

flow in the brain Because of its known cardiovascular benefits, a medically approved exercise

program is a valuable part of any overall wellness plan.

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Current evidence suggests that heart-healthy eating may also help protect the brain. Heart-

healthy eating includes limiting the intake of sugar and saturated fats and making sure to eat

plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. No one diet is best. Two diets that have been

studied and may be beneficial are the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension)

diet and the Mediterranean diet. The DASH diet emphasizes vegetables, fruits and fat-free

or low-fat dairy products; includes whole grains, fish, poultry, beans, seeds, nuts, and

vegetable oils; and limits sodium, sweets, sugary beverages, and red meats. A

Mediterranean diet includes relatively little red meat and emphasizes whole grains, fruits

and vegetables, fish and shellfish, and nuts, olive oil and other healthy fats.

Nutrients and Phytochemicals that Function as Antioxidants;

According to the class text book HLTH 1020, Foundation of Nutrition some vitamins,

minerals, and plant compounds can function as antioxidants. I found this information in our

text book and used it in my research paper. They protect our cells from the damaging effects

of compounds called free radicals. Free radicals are produced naturally during many

reactions of metabolism, including those involving oxygen, but may also be overproduced

with an immune reaction or exposure to adverse environmental conditions, such as air

pollution or Tabaco smoke. Oxidative stress has been implicated in some of the general

effects of aging as well as the development of specific chronic disease such as cancer and

heart disease and degenerative disease including Alzheimers disease and Parkinsons

disease. Fortunately, the human body has a number of systems to eliminate free radicals

from the body but they are not 100% efficient. Nutrients and phytochemicals that act as
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antioxidants have been associated with a lowered risk of these chronic diseases. (Wardlaw

et. al.pg.329)

Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Selenium, and -Carotene and Other Carotenoids:

Overview, Antioxidant Definition, and Relationship to Chronic Disease

According to the last report of usda.gov. This report focuses on vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium,

and - carotene and other carotenoids (-carotene, -cryptoxanthin, lu- tein, lycopene, and

zeaxanthin). These compounds have frequently been called dietary antioxidants since in some

cases they counteract oxidative damage to biomolecules (Halliwell, 1996), and the possi- bility

exists that increased intakes of these compounds may protect against chronic disease. Although

the term dietary antioxidants is a convenient description, these compounds are multifunctional,

and some of the actions observed in vivo may not represent an antioxi- dant function, even

though the compounds have been classified as antioxidant nutrients (Sies and Stahl, 1995).

Therefore, in this report the above compounds were evaluated with respect to their role in human

nutrition, without limiting the investigation to antioxidant properties. Information was reviewed

regarding the minimum amount of these nutrients required to pre- vent deficiency diseases, as

well as the amounts that might impact on chronic diseases, regardless of whether the effect was

an antioxi- dant effect or not. Resolution of any impact of these compounds on chronic disease

will require evaluation of the many humans inter- vention trials that are still under way Four

main tasks were assigned to the Dietary Reference Intakes Panel on Dietary Antioxidants and

Related Compounds. My first task is to develop a dietary antioxidant could help me with this

genetically disease.
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Works Cited

Help End Alzheimers. Alzheimers Association. Np., 2017 Web. 12 Apr. 2017.

Wardlaw, Gordon M., Anne M. Smith, and Angela L. Collene. Foundation of Nutrition. 4th ed.
N.Y.: Macmillan, 2015. Print.

"Advancing Alzheimer's Disease Therapeutic Research." Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study.

N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Apr. 2017.

"Alzheimer's Disease Education and Referral Center." National Institutes of Health. U.S. Department
of Health and Human Services, n.d. Web. 1 Apr. 2017.

"Antioxidants." USDA. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Mar. 2017.