The Truth About Alzheimer's Disease

The devastation of Alzheimer's disease (AD) affects millions of families throughout North America. Unfortunately, you'll find a certain amount of misinformation about this horrific epidemic on TV, the Internet, newspapers and magazines. By having the facts you can better protect yourself against the onset of Alzheimer's or help your loved ones who are already suffering from the disease.

Myth: We see more people with Alzheimer's disease because of media attention

Truth: The number of people with AD is increasing every year and the percentage of people with AD in North America is increasing, though the lifespan is getting shorter.

The number of people with Alzheimer's disease is increasing at an alarming rate. There is no cure. Currently, over 500 clinical trials are being conducted just to find a way to slow down the runaway epidemic of AD. But trying to reverse the damage of AD once the disease has progressed is like trying to hold back the tide with your bare hands: there is little hope of success. Prevention and slowing the progress of AD are the only hopes we currently have.

Myth: Alzheimer's disease is genetic; there is nothing we can do about it.

Truth: AD is the accumulation of many years of damage to your brain, causing plaque to build up and nerves to tangle. There are prevention strategies that work to help reduce the damage to our brain and to reduce the chances of AD. The chances of being diagnosed with AD increase as we age. AD affects about half of people age 85 and older. A gene defect that predisposes a person to AD is called the MTHFR defect. It is common in about 40% of people. This gene pumps out HCY in very high amounts. What is the solution for elevated HCY? Foods and food supplements rich in B vitamins. While there are definite genetic markers to help us determine our AD risk, there are also proven strategies to help us protect against the damage that may lead to AD. Reduce your risk by reducing toxic, inflammatory, brain-destroying levels of homocysteine.

Myth: Only drugs are powerful enough to stop Alzheimer's disease

Truth: AD prevention depends to a large extent on the choices we make every day. According to the National Institutes of Health, the majority of AD prevention strategies rest in our own hands. And, while experimental drugs and vaccines offer some hope of prevention, proven strategies exist that you can use today.

For the complete article see TriVita's VitaJournal Pg 22.