It's rare that a week goes by without discussion of some new possibility of treating or preventing Alzheimer's disease. Degenerative brain conditions
are some of the most frightening things we face about aging. When we can't find our keys, our glasses, or the remote control, we sometimes joke about how we must be getting Alzheimer's, but our inside fears are real -- is this the beginning of memory loss? Is our memory loss normal, or is it something to be more concerned about?
A CNN story talks about one of the latest studies -- whether ginkgo biloba helps prevent Alzheimer's. Studies and conclusions are incomplete, though it's a huge area of interest.
The article lists some other ways to keep your memory sharp and your brain healthy:
1. Antioxidants -- Vitamins A, C and E help prevent cell damage and are believed to help slow some diseases of aging.
2. Fish oil -- The anti-inflammatory properties of fish oil helps with inflammation in the aging brain.
3. Phosphatidylserine supplements -- Phosphatidylserine is found naturally in the body. It's a lipid, and is also available in supplements.
4. Curry -- Studies in Singapore showed that those who ate curry at least once a week scored higher on brain tests.
5. Cross-training your brain -- Exercise your brain. Do crosswords that stretch your brain's capacity to find a word. Try brushing your teeth with your left hand, doing math in your head and reading about a subject that's brand new to you.
Physical exercise is also very important. Here's the article:
http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/conditions/11/20/ep.alzheimers.brain.exercise/