Introduction
Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia and a condition which gradually, destroys brain cells and causes a decline in mental functions. Alzheimer's disease can be classified as a progressive brain disease that gradually destroys the person’s memory and ability of learning, reasoning, making judgments, communicating and carrying out daily activities. Alzheimer's disease occurs mostly in the elderly group of people, who have crossed the age of 65 years.
As the disease progresses, it changes the person's behavior and personality and also create delusions and hallucinations. The areas of the brain which have control over memory and thinking skills are first affected. As the disease advances, the cells in the brain region die. This is the primary step in causing irreparable damage to the brain.
There are several indicated causes for Alzheimer's disease, but science has not yet been able to pick out one definite cause. Since the last fifteen years, medical discoveries have revealed several factors that can play an influencing role in causing Alzheimer's disease. Family history of the disease is also strongly influential, and thus Alzheimer's disease can be labeled as a hereditary disease.
The mortality rate of people in this disease is extremely high. It is seen that most people suffering from the Alzheimer's disease die within four to six years of the affliction, while in some people the affliction may also last till twenty years. But it always results in death of the person suffering from the disease. The reason of death could be old age related complications, which are very common since Alzheimer's disease strikes only when the old age sets in.
Home Remedies for Alzheimer's Disease
Though Alzheimer's disease seems to be a very daunting affliction, there are some things you can do at the household level to keep the disease at bay. Here are some household remedies to lessen the severity of the disease, and indeed to try and treat it completely.
- Vitamin E is effective in enhancing the functions of the brain. Since almonds contain a high amount of vitamin E, they can be used in treatment of Alzheimer's disease. About six to eight almonds must be soaked in water and kept overnight. In the morning, these almonds must be peeled and eaten. This must be done before eating anything else. Within a few months, this would make the brain stronger, if supplemented with other brain tonics.
- Just like vitamin E, vitamin C is also an antioxidant, and it is also very effective in repairing memory functions and protecting the brain nerves. Some rich sources of vitamin C are citrus fruits such as oranges, sweet lemons, pineapples, strawberries and tomatoes. Green leafy vegetables are also rich in vitamin C. Vitamin c content is high in red chili pepper and capsicum. All these foods must be given in high amounts to the people suffering from Alzheimer's. To get a daily supply of vitamin C, you could just squeeze the juice of some oranges to make it a glassful. This must be taken once a day.
- Almost all of the vitamins of the B complex are important for the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Increasing the amount of folic acid by eating foods rich in this nutrient or through supplements could be beneficial in protecting the brain from developing dementia. Foods rich in folic acid include fruits such as papayas, pea’s asparagus, broccoli, strawberries, and oranges. Vitamins B6 and B12 help boost folic acid levels. These can be taken as a vitamin supplement or in foods such as hot cereal, whole wheat bread or pasta, brown rice, leafy green vegetables, and citrus fruits. By eating more of these foods, you can also reduce your risk of stroke or heart disease.
- Turmeric is found to be very effective in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. The turmeric is Curcuma longa, which contains an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compound known as curcumin. Turmeric must be included as a spice in the daily diet of people. One indication of the effectiveness of turmeric in keeping the mind well-balanced is that Indians who include turmeric in their daily diet have a very low suffering rate from Alzheimer's disease.
- Steep a few drops of lemon or peppermint oil in hot water and then inhale. People who become lethargic and depressed due to Alzheimer's disease can get perked up in a great way by these aromatherapy stimulants. This is one of the best home remedies for alzheimer's disease.
- Vegetables such as the pumpkin and other foods and spices such as sesame and sunflower seeds must be consumed in some form or the other throughout the day. These contain various components that are useful for enhancing the functions of the brain.
- Blueberries have recently been proven to be effective in keeping Alzheimer's disease away, and also in reducing the symptoms in those people who are suffering from this disease. Blueberries are also rich in the antioxidant vitamin E, which can repair the wear and tear of the motor nerves from the brain that is a common symptom of the Alzheimer's disease.
- In people suffering from depression caused in the wake of Alzheimer's disease, a few drops of sesame oil must be warmed and put directly into the nostrils. Three drops must be put in each nostril, twice each day. Otherwise a little quantity of the oil must be warmed and applied on the head and at the soles of the feet. Both methods of using sesame oil go a long way in treating the depressions caused in Alzheimer's disease.
- Eating carrots, which are loaded with beta-carotene, is a safe way to acquire vitamin A through the diet. Without sufficient vitamin A, nerve health and even memory can suffer. It's best, however, to keep it natural -- taking vitamin A supplements may lead to toxicity. Other vitamin A-rich foods include spinach, squash, bell peppers, liver, whole milk, and eggs.
- This is a good remedy for people who have depression as a complication of the Alzheimer's disease. Such persons must drink tea made with ½ teaspoonful of sage and ¼ teaspoonful basil steeped in one cup hot water twice a day. The preferable times for having this tea are in the early morning (dawn) and in the early evening (dusk). This is one of the useful home remedies for alzheimer's disease.
- One associated complaint with Alzheimer's disease is that people with this disease have decrease taste senses. Hence it is necessary to stimulate their appetites. Ginger plays a major role in improving taste and even rectifying any digestive problems that might occur. Ginger is Zingiber officinale and it has a pungent taste which is very good for the stimulation of the taste buds. Ginger can be eaten in several ways. Ginger snaps could be had with honey. Another way is the chop up some pieces of ginger very finely and to mix it with little lime juice and a pinch of rock salt. Keep chewing on this throughout the day. Ginger tea is also beneficial.
- Many people with this disease may get dry skin or it may because of age. After a shower or a bath while the skin is still wet sprinkle salt on your hand and rub it all over the skin then rinse. This salt will remove dry skin and make skin smoother to touch. It will also invigorate skin and circulation. Try this in the morning to help increase alertness. If the skin is itchy soak in the tub of salt water .Add 1 cup table salt or sea salt in bathing water.
- The herb Gingko biloba has also been found to be effective against Alzheimer's disease. This herb is available in the form of a tincture that can be used for keeping this disease at bay. This herb can be used as one of the best home remedies for alzheimer's disease.
- People with Alzheimer's disease should be gently persuaded to use their brain so that it is slowly brought back into normal functioning. Of course, a total regain of the senses will not be possible, but there will be a tremendous improvement, if there is a patient approach to improve the faculties of the brain. Patients must be urged to exercise in activities such as solving word puzzles and crosswords, playing Sudoku and Scrabble, or even playing with building blocks to use their mental capacities to their fullest.
Avoiding Alzheimer's Disease
There are several lifestyle-related factors that can reduce the chances of Alzheimer's disease in people. The following are some points that must be noted:-
(i) Mental exercises must be urged on children since a very young age to nourish their brain. This becomes a habit in later life, when as adults, they try to use their brain to its fullest extent. This makes the brain stronger and helps to keep all mental problems like Alzheimer's disease and dementia away.
(ii) It has been found, after stringent tests, that leading an active lifestyle really helps in keeping Alzheimer's disease and other mental problems away. A daily exercise routine is must, and also there should be serious attempts at losing weight. The role of exercise in treating Alzheimer's disease is particularly true in women.
(iii) There are several dietary considerations to be taken into account. The following are some important points:-
a) All vitamins are very essential for the proper functioning of the brain. Vitamin A, vitamin C and vitamin E are chiefly important. The last two vitamins are needed as antioxidants which maintain the proper functioning of the brain. But the role of the vitamins of the B complex can also not be ignored. Folates are especially important.
b) Proteins are necessary for their reserve of amino acids. A high concentration of amino acids in the blood helps to keep Alzheimer's disease away.
(iii) There seems to be a deep-seated relationship between the proper functioning of the blood and the intelligence quotient of the brain. Direct relations have been unearthed revealing that people with high blood pressure have much more chances of developing dementia and Alzheimer's disease in their later lives. Hence, treating blood pressure conditions at the earliest could also be a preventive therapy for Alzheimer's disease.
One misconception floating around very prominently about Alzheimer's disease is that taking supplements of estrogen could be a cure. This is certainly not the case, and produces no more than a placebo effect. The estrogen does work in the initial stages, but the brain goes back to its impaired state in a few months' time.
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