The Struggle is {Alzheimer's} Prevention

The leading causes of death in the United States are:

1.  Heart Disease - prevented by maintaining a healthy weight, diet, exercise, not smoking, limiting alcohol intake, don't do drugs, regular physicals....we know this.

2.  Cancer - prevention efforts towards maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle, a diet that is healthy and low in things you can't spell, not smoking, keeping clear of drugs, limiting alcohol intake, being proactive by home checks (breast cancer, skin cancer), having routine doctor's exams and preventative procedures (pap, mams, prostate checks, colonoscopies, etc).  The list goes on and on.

3.  Chronic Lower Respiratory Diseases - (COPD, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, asthma)  Don't smoke, don't breath in toxins, wear masks, and if you were born with it, well....

4.  Accidents - wear your seat belt, don't drink and drive, don't text and drive, wrap yourself in bubble wrap, don't leave your home, stay away from sidewalk cracks (to spare your mother's back) and keep at least 500 yards away from ladders.

5.  Stroke - see heart disease.

6.  Alzheimer's Disease -

7.  Diabetes - maintain a healthy weight, follow the correct diet, exercise, take proper care of your body, see your doctor regularly, take medicines as prescribed, don't ignore changes in your body.

8.  Influenza & Pneumonia - prevent it by getting the shots, wash your hands, be active, follow a healthy diet, prevention of falls in the elderly will help with this (pneumonia).

9.  Kidney Disease - maintain a healthy weight, diet, exercise regimen, take all prescribed medications as directed, see your doctor regularly, do not dismiss any changes in your body.

10.  Suicide - depression treatment, therapy treatment, medicinal treatment, strong support system, let them know they are loved and appreciated and important.

Ten leading causes of death and nine of them have logical ways to aid in prevention.  There's that one that sticks out like a sore thumb.  Just blank beside it.

Irony again.

Alzheimer's draws the blank.

Are there proven methods in prevention for Alzheimer's?
C'mon Cancer has plenty!  Heart Disease has a tons!  We have shots for the flu and pneumonia!

But Alz draws the blank.

If I am totally honest I can tell you that indeed there are ways to prevent the disease.

However, they aren't appealing to me and maybe not to you.

1.  Don't get old.  (Yes, that means you'd have to die before you hit those golden years.  I prefer to see my possible grand kids and tour the world in an RV for a while.)

2.  Don't have a family history of the disease.  (I'm screwed.  How about you?)


3.  Keep Senior loved ones in check.  This is a fabulous link to the warning signs.



The media likes to get us excited and get in these brains we have. We call it sensationalism. In the past four months I have heard that a cure has been found in the USA, Switzerland, Australia, Austria and somewhere else.

It is just cruel for people to report lies.

There is no vaccination just as there is no cure.

We haven't found our miracle in the pharmaceutical world.

Myths abound.  I wanted to take a moment and highlight some of the myths and truths out there about Alzheimer's "Causes & Prevention"



1.  Aluminum Cans - do not cause Alzheimer's.  I'll never forget the day my dad switched from Budweiser in a can to Budweiser in a bottle....to save his brain.  Wow.

2.   Heart - Brain Link - is true.  If you have heart problems then yes you are at a higher rate of developing Alzheimer's Disease.  I hate to admit this.  I have a valve issue and a rhythm issue with my heart and so this fact scares me more than anything else.  If you will protect your heart and be proactive your brain will thank you.

3.  Latino Community & Black Community - higher risk for Alzheimer's - is true.  Due to a predisposition to more heart problems.  Go to the doctor!  Get checked out!



4.  Aspartame - no it doesn't lead to Alzheimer's but it is HORRIBLE for you.  Stay away from it.

5.  Flu shots are linked to Alzheimer's - Negative - they are not.

6.  Silver fillings in your teeth are not linked to Alzheimer's - Your safe fellow cavity heads.

7.  There are medications for Alzheimer's - Yes.  There are 5 medications approved by the FDA for use in patients with Alz/Dementia.  The drugs do not stop the disease from progressing but they can help to slower the rate at which it progresses.  Of course all people are unique and not everyone will respond to the medication like another might.

8.  Brain games and activity keep my brain healthy -Yes!  Keep your brain working!  Do the puzzles and take an enrichment class.  Have conversations with friends, neighbors, and new faces.  Get out of your house and into the world.  Read.  Get into the outdoors and garden and go for walks.

If we maintain a sedentary life, limiting social interaction and stimulation, then we allow ourselves to be like a pear on the counter.

If left there in its spot....it rots.

Don't let your brain rot.



9.  A healthy diet can help protect my brain.  Yes.  You are what you eat and that is truth for every disease on the leading causes of death in the US.  Stop the constant drive thru/boxed meal/easy food plan and actually cook a meal.  Eat fresh.  Eat right.  Your brain, heart, blood sugar, liver, kidneys, skin, etc will appreciate it.

I really hope this jam packed post has been informative (and fun) for you.  I think the purpose in educating is to make it fun.  If you cannot laugh then what are we here for exactly?  

Let's work to #ENDALZ together.  I'm building my team to help fund more research and help and hope.  Will you team up with me?  Please do!  Shoot me an email as I work on building.  More information to come.


Please visit http://www.alz.org for more information on Alzheimer's Disease.