How in the heck do I avoid getting Alzheimer's?

-

Greetings all. Its another snowy day and schools are closed so hopefully if you are home with your kids they are outside playing in the snow.

To follow up on the last couple blog post on diet and detecting Alzheimer's disease through retinal scanning I have had a few questions on what do you do to prevent it? It is a great question and unfortunately we are far from having all the answers. However, there are things we can do to lessen the risk.  I look at these things like investing money. If you do a little early it can pay big dividends later in life when it counts. If you have a family history of dementia, like I do, you become interested in not going down that path if you can make choices to avoid it.

1. Get enough sleep. I can't take credit for the quote and it escapes me whose it is. I saw it in Dr. Matthew Walkers book on sleep which I highly recommend. "The amount of people that can get by on less than 7 hours of sleep rounded to the nearest percent and expressed as a whole number is zero." We all need 7-9 hours of sleep a night. A couple famous short sleepers are Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher who both ended up with dementia later in life. That certainly is not proof, but being able to get by on less sleep in nothing to brag to about.

2. Keep your blood glucose and insulin levels in check. This goes back to the good diet advice from a few weeks ago. Elevated insulin levels increase the risk of dementia. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28255864

We have long known about diabetes and the increased risks for dementia as well. I remember as a 4th year optometry student hearing about Type 3 diabetes which some were using as a term to describe dementia because of the strong association.

As a side note you can have normal blood glucose and elevated insulin levels. This is a precursor to type 2 diabetes. If you are at risk ask your doctor to check not only your blood glucose but your fasting insulin as well.

3. Stay active. This does not mean doing a cross word puzzle once in awhile. This means staying physically and mental engaged. Stay socially active with your friends and family. Join a service club and get involved. Take a class for adults and learn new skills.

Ultimately we don't have all the answers for prevention and treatment. I think at this point we would be better focusing on prevention of these disease vs trying to cure it once it has happened. That's all for this week.

Dr. Jason


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

My contacts are poisonous? Not so fast.

-
Image
       Recent media coverage has brought attention to a report claiming that 18 soft contact lenses from three major companies in the industry were found to contain PFAS or toxic "forever chemicals".  Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of synthetic chemicals used in a variety of consumer products for their ability to resist heat, stains, and water. They are referred to as "forever chemicals" because they break down very slowly and can accumulate in people, animals, and the environment over time.  This has prompted concern about potential long-term health effects - studies have shown that high levels of exposure to some PFAS may be linked to increased risk of cancer and other adverse health issues.      In contact lenses, PFAS are used to soften the material and enhance oxygen permeability.  So, you might be wondering, are my soft contact lenses safe to be wearing?     Currently, there is no scientific literature published to show harmful effects
Read more

EAT YOUR WAY TO BETTER EYE HEALTH

-
Image
Eat Your Way to Better Eye Health If you’re like most people starting the new year, you may have made a resolution to eat healthier in 2023.  Whether you’re starting to fall off the wagon or holding strong, it’s never too late to start eating well.  There are several vitamins and nutrients specific to the health of the eyes, and chances are, what is good for the eyes is also good for your overall health. 1. Vitamin A     - Required for the formation of rhodopsin, a pigment found in the retina that allows us to see in low-light        conditions.  Deficiency could cause "night blindness" due to impaired dark adaptation.     - Supports healthy functioning of surfaces in the eye like the cornea and conjunctiva.  Deficiency could lead to        dryness and corneal scarring.     - Good sources : orange-colored fruit and vegetables like carrots, sweet potatoes, cantaloupe, and apricots. Eggs        and yogurt. Green leafy vegetables and liver. 2. Vitamin C     - Neutralizes damage
Read more
-
Image
  The Scary Truth About Costume Contact Lenses This Halloween you may have seen some spooky contact lenses. Costume contact lenses, also known as cosmetic or decorative contacts, are lenses that change how your eyes look by altering the eye’s color or pupil shape. Even though they may be advertised as cosmetic accessories, please keep in mind that  all  contact lenses are considered medical devices by the FDA – this means they require a prescription and proper fitting by an eye care professional, and proper care by the wearer. Purchasing contact lenses without a prescription is illegal in the United States. Only buy costume contacts from retailers who ask for a prescription and sell FDA-approved lenses – not from the gas station down the street, your nearest beauty salon or pop-up Halloween shop. Some cosmetic lenses have been found to be counterfeit or even re-packaged, which is not sterile and could contaminate your eye. Furthermore, one study found costume lenses that tested positiv
Read more