Alzheimer's disease is just one of many diseases that causes dementia, a loss of brain function. Some other causes of dementia, including Parkinson's disease, are associated with the neurotransmitter dopamine, but not Alzheimer's. The causes for Alzheimer's are still a mystery, but piecing together this complex disease is still ongoing. However, there are some risk factors that you can control that may reduce your risk for developing Alzheimer's disease.
Alzheimer's Causes
The exact cause of Alzheimer's disease is unknown, but it's believed the disease begins decades before symptoms first appear. Symptoms include memory loss and cognitive deficits, including the inability to pay bills, getting lost, poor judgment, mood changes, trouble recognizing family members and confusion. Over time, as the brain deteriorates, symptoms increase. The brain in Alzheimer's patients are characterized by plaques and tangles that result in a loss of communication between neuron cells. Dopamine is one of the substances the brain's cells uses to communicate, but it is not directly involved in Alzheimer's development. Genetics, as well as environmental and lifestyle factors, play a role in Alzheimer's development. The National Institute on Aging estimates that over 5.1 million Americans suffer from Alzheimer's.
Lifestyle Risk Factors
Lifestyle risk factors for Alzheimer's development may include vascular diseases such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure and diabetes. Research shows that you can lower your risk for Alzheimer's by controlling these factors. A 2011 article in "Health Day" cites research that states vascular disorders, because they damage blood vessels in the brain, increase the risk for Alzheimer's. Therapy for these vascular disorders includes exercise and maintaining a healthy diet.
Research on Cholesterol and Alzheimer's
Cholesterol is a bona-fide risk factor for heart disease, and research is growing on its role in Alzheimer's. High-density lipoprotein, or HDL, cholesterol helps the body remove cholesterol from the tissues and doctors advise you to have HDL levels over 60 mg/dL for reduced heart disease risk. Higher HDL levels may also reduce the risk for Alzheimer's, according to a 2010 study in the "Archives of Neurology." In the study, evaluation of more than 1,000 elderly participants showed a link between higher HDL and lower risk for Alzheimer's.
Risk Factor Management and Alzheimer's
A healthy diet plays a role in managing and preventing many diseases, and it may lower your risk for Alzheimer's, too. The Alzheimer's Association recommends eating a diet rich in foods associated with brain health, including cold water fish like salmon and tuna, dark vegetables and fruits such as kale, spinach, prunes and raisins and nuts, such as almonds and pecans. Reduce your risk for high cholesterol by limiting cholesterol and saturated fats in your diet. Maintaining a healthy weight may also be helpful in reducing your risk for developing Alzheimer's.
References
- National Institute on Aging: Alzheimer's Disease; March 2010
- "Health Day"; Brain May Shrink in Decade Before Alzheimer's Symptoms Appear; April 2011
- "Archives of Neurology"; Association of Higher Levels of High-density Lipoprotein Cholesterol in Elderly Individuals and Lower Risk of Late-onset Alzheimer Disease; C. Reitz et al.; December 2010
- Alzheimer's Association: Adopt a Brain-Healthy Diet
- American Heart Association: About Cholesterol
