The Mystery of What Causes Alzheimer’s: Glen Campbell Says Goodbye to Fans as Alzheimer Sets In

Oct. 27, 2011 - PRLog -- Scientists are still searching for what causes Alzheimer's disease. This disease usually strikes people aged 65 or older, although rare cases of early onset Alzheimer’s can surface in people in their 30’s or 40’s.   This degenerative brain disease has been studied for decades, and new findings show that there could be several factors that contribute to its development.  In addition, there are several factors which could very well slow its progress once a diagnosis has been made.  With the recent news that country singer Glen Campbell has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and is embarking on a farewell tour, more people are seeking information about the disease and more are concerned about whether it could strike them or a loved one.

What is Alzheimer’s Disease?
When you think of Alzheimer’s disease, you may think of short term memory loss, and while that is one of the most noticeable symptoms, it is important to have a basic understanding about what the disease is, on a physical level.  It is not just a vagary, rather, it is a protein misfolding, or proteopathic disease in which the brain’s neurons are damaged and divided by an accumulation of abnormal A-beta and tau proteins within the brain’s structure. Basically, this disease prevents neurons from linking normally or repairing themselves, and ultimately, it leads to the death and disintegration of important brain cells.

Symptoms begin as vague short-term memory loss, ultimately worsening until the affected person withdraws from most social contact. At this point body processes and functionality decline.  Eventually, Alzheimer’s Disease causes death.

What Causes Alzheimer’s Disease?  
Although no specific cause of Alzheimer’s disease has been clearly defined, there are several factors which have been shown to play a pathological role in its development.

Inflammation – a variety of inflammatory processes have been identified as part of the disease. Inflammation, which is a general marker of tissue damage in most diseases, is thought to be either a marker of an immunological response, and it could be secondary to tissue damage.

Genetics – While most cases of Alzheimer’s disease are sporadic, or not inherited, some genes are believed to act as risk factors.  About 0.1% of Alzheimer’s take on a familial, autosomal dominant form and strike before age 65.  This tiny fraction represents a specific form of Alzheimer’s known as Early Onset Familial Alzheimer’s Disease.

External Factors – Poor diet and lack of exercise or proper mental stimulation may be factors in what causes Alzheimer's, as all three are linked to both the onset of Alzheimer’s and to its worsening.  Proper diet, regular exercise, and challenging mental tasks have been proven to delay the onset of Alzheimer’s and can often help to reduce symptoms.

Diet and Other Factors: What You Can Do to Help Reduce the Risk of Developing Alzheimer’s Disease

While we have no control over our genetics, we do have control over external factors that can lead to tissue inflammation and a variety of diseases.  

Stress – Mental and physical stress take their toll, altering the body’s chemistry.  While a small amount of stress is good for us – the kind that comes from challenges and normal emotions (even extreme happiness is a form of stress) – ongoing, constant stress can manifest as physical illness.  Luckily, a healthy diet and adequate exercise, along with a variety of stress management techniques can help to prevent stress hormones from accumulating to dangerous levels.

Exercise – Even small amounts of exercise can help to prevent inflammation in the body.  Humans are designed for motion, and the more we sit in one place, the less we stimulate our organs.  When we exercise, our brains must play an active role in the activities, and neural pathways are strengthened as a result.

Mental Stimulation – Not only are puzzles, reading new books, and taking different routes to get to the places we normally go a good way to make everyday life more fun, they also help to keep our brains healthy.  Providing ourselves with a variety of mentally stimulating activities keeps neural pathways strong, and the stronger your neural net is, the longer it can take Alzheimer’s to get a firm grip on brain cells.  

Diet – Today, most people in countries where chemical pesticides and genetically modified organisms are consumed have an accumulated build up, or chemical “body burden” of pesticides and other toxins in their systems.  These toxins take years to accumulate, and cause a variety of symptoms, including birth defects and weakened immune systems.  In addition, pesticide exposure is linked to headaches, dermatological problems, and many other health issues.

Genetically modified foods have recently come under scrutiny.  These foods are not proven safe before they are released into the market, and some strains, like Monsanto’s BT corn, are designed to kill certain insects that eat crops.  In essence, these plants are pesticides, and they are being fed to the animals that we often rely on for dairy products and meat.  Even worse, they are being used in common foods we eat and in products we use.  In 2010, a study released by the International Journal of Biological Sciences linked GMO corn with organ damage in rats.  Despite an ongoing outcry from concerned consumers and despite the fact that genetically modified organisms are prohibited in many countries, the United States continues to allow agricultural companies to develop new strains and market them to farmers in hopes that yields will be larger.  

Some foods are clearly marked with a “No GMO” label, and most organic foods do not contain GMO’s.  In addition, the rules for organic farming prohibit growers from using chemical pesticides, growth hormones, or non-therapeutic antibiotics in vegetables and animals raised for human consumption. By choosing these foods instead of conventionally raised foods, you can provide yourself with reliable nutrition while taking an important step to keep yourself out of harm’s way.  

Making a commitment to eat organic foods that are raised without pesticides and which are not genetically modified, reduces exposure allow natural detoxification.  This in turn reduces inflammation and improves brain strength and functionality.  While this is not a surefire way to prevent what causes Alzheimer’s Disease, it is the best way currently known.

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