Researchers Isolate Olive Oil Component That Protects Against Alzheimer’s
The Mediterranean diet is widely recommended by health professionals as a way to promote heart health as well as for possible Alzheimer’s protection. For most people, the fish, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and olive oil-based salad dressings that make up the bulk of a Mediterranean diet are excellent foods for general health. However, the liberal use of extra virgin olive oil used for cooking and as flavoring for bread and... (Source: Carol Bradley Bursack's SharePosts)
Source: Carol Bradley Bursack's SharePosts - April 4, 2013 Category: Dementia Authors: Carol Bradley Bursack Source Type: blogs
Not All Caregivers Care for “Loved One”
We who write about caregiving often find ourselves challenged to find different words to express similar concepts in order to give variety to our writing. For example, we often substitute “loved one” for parent, spouse, relative or care receiver. In real life, not every caregiver is jumping with joy over caring for a parent who once abused them or an in-law who never treated them as one of the family. These readers can,... (Source: Carol Bradley Bursack's SharePosts)
Source: Carol Bradley Bursack's SharePosts - March 30, 2013 Category: Dementia Authors: Carol Bradley Bursack Source Type: blogs
Dementia Caregivers Grief Soul Deep, Defies Labeling
When a beloved elder dies, we may have varying reactions, frequently changing moment by moment. Naturally, there’s grief and the realization that we’ve seen the last of our loved one’s physical presence. Often, however, if the death follows a long illness or significant pain, we can also feel a sense of relief that their suffering is over and we can get on with healing. It’s often the in between time – the... (Source: Carol Bradley Bursack's SharePosts)
Source: Carol Bradley Bursack's SharePosts - March 25, 2013 Category: Dementia Authors: Carol Bradley Bursack Source Type: blogs
Individual Attention Important Benefit of Alzheimer’s Eating Study
It’s natural for caregivers to worry if their loved one is getting sufficient nourishment. People with dementia are often a challenge because they forget to eat, or they may have problems remembering how to transfer food from the plate to their mouths. Some people have trouble chewing and swallowing, especially during later stages of dementia.
Since depression is another issue that is common for people with dementia, a Taiwanese... (Source: Carol Bradley Bursack's SharePosts)
Source: Carol Bradley Bursack's SharePosts - March 23, 2013 Category: Dementia Authors: Carol Bradley Bursack Source Type: blogs
More Evidence Shows Chronic Stress Increases Alzheimer's Risk
A new doctoral thesis by Sara K. Bengtsson, Department of Clinical Sciences, Umeå University, Sweden, examines the reason why chronic stress can increase one’s risk for Alzheimer’s disease.
Allopregnanolone, one of the steroids produced by a body under stress, can inhibit general brain activity. Bengtsson's thesis shows that chronically elevated levels of allopregnanolone accelerated Alzheimer’s disease... (Source: Carol Bradley Bursack's SharePosts)
Source: Carol Bradley Bursack's SharePosts - March 20, 2013 Category: Dementia Authors: Carol Bradley Bursack Source Type: blogs
Delaying Alzheimer's with Mental Enrichment
For years researchers have tried to understand the impact and significance of a person's education level on the development of Alzheimer's disease. Many studies have shown that people who often challenge themselves to learn complex tasks will show Alzheimer’s symptoms later than those who don’t. Scientists theorized that people who work to enrich their minds, whether through formal means or through a mentally challenging lifestyle,... (Source: Carol Bradley Bursack's SharePosts)
Source: Carol Bradley Bursack's SharePosts - March 16, 2013 Category: Dementia Authors: Carol Bradley Bursack Source Type: blogs
Green Tea Molecules Interfere With Formation of Plaques That May Cause Alzheimer’s
For the second time in less than a month I’ve found myself drawn to reports on the efficacy of green tea extract as a possible prevention or treatment for Alzheimer’s disease. In February, I wrote about a study conducted in the UK using purified extracts from green tea and red wine in early animal studies to interrupt the pathway that may lead to Alzheimer’s disease. The result of this study was published in the Journal of... (Source: Carol Bradley Bursack's SharePosts)
Source: Carol Bradley Bursack's SharePosts - March 8, 2013 Category: Dementia Authors: Carol Bradley Bursack Source Type: blogs
Nutrition One Weapon to Reduce Risk of Alzheimer’s
In recent years, stories about Alzheimer’s disease have led a significant number of news broadcasts. Whether the story is about researchers discovering a promising new treatment or daunting statistics about what Alzheimer’s in the future will look like without a cure, few adults haven’t heard about the increasing numbers of people developing the disease.
While drug studies are apt to get the lion’s share of... (Source: Carol Bradley Bursack's SharePosts)
Source: Carol Bradley Bursack's SharePosts - March 5, 2013 Category: Dementia Authors: Carol Bradley Bursack Source Type: blogs
Acceptance of Change Important in Alzheimer’s Caregiving
My dad went into surgery with a smile and hope. He came out with severe dementia. Something unexplainable at the time had happened and Dad became a statistic – one of those “poor outcomes” we hear about. My head knew this tragedy was permanent, but my heart wanted my “real” dad back. The kind, loving, intelligent man whose love for me was steadfast. I wanted him back. Unfortunately, my family and I had to learn... (Source: Carol Bradley Bursack's SharePosts)
Source: Carol Bradley Bursack's SharePosts - February 28, 2013 Category: Dementia Authors: Carol Bradley Bursack Source Type: blogs
HRT May Prevent Accelerated Biological Aging for Alzheimer’s Gene Carriers
A little more than a decade ago, most physicians considered hormone replacement therapy an important part of treating postmenopausal women because of its ability to help control hot flashes, maintain bone health and lower the risk of colorectal cancer. Their enthusiasm for this treatment came to a halt in July of 2002, when the same physicians took their patients off HRT nearly across the board.
An article in the New York Times explains... (Source: Carol Bradley Bursack's SharePosts)
Source: Carol Bradley Bursack's SharePosts - February 24, 2013 Category: Dementia Authors: Carol Bradley Bursack Source Type: blogs
Infections May Speed the Progression of Alzheimer’s Disease
Last December, a team of scientists working collaboratively under the guidance of the University of Bonn and the University of Massachusetts discovered that there was an association between chronic inflammation and the death of brain nerve cells. This discovery led them to theorize that chronic inflammation could possibly lead to the development of Alzheimer’s disease.
A different study now underway is focusing on a similar... (Source: Carol Bradley Bursack's SharePosts)
Source: Carol Bradley Bursack's SharePosts - February 14, 2013 Category: Dementia Authors: Carol Bradley Bursack Source Type: blogs
Green Tea, Grape Skin Extracts May Interrupt Alzheimer's Path
Green tea and red wine have both been shown in numerous studies to contain antioxidants thought to increase overall health and possibly prevent some diseases. Now, a recent study, published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry, has shown that purified extracts from green tea and red wine (specifically, the resveratrol in the red grape skins) have been shown in early animal studies to interrupt the pathway that may lead to Alzheimer’s... (Source: Carol Bradley Bursack's SharePosts)
Source: Carol Bradley Bursack's SharePosts - February 13, 2013 Category: Dementia Authors: Carol Bradley Bursack Source Type: blogs
Elders’ Loss of Appetite Complicated
Adult children often worry about their aging parents’ eating habits. Sometimes the elders live alone and don’t feel like cooking or even going out to buy groceries. They may have pain issues that keep them from enjoying food, or dentures that make chewing uncomfortable. Depression can be a factor for some people, as can medication side effects. Loneliness, especially for people who have lost a spouse to a nursing home or death, can... (Source: Carol Bradley Bursack's SharePosts)
Source: Carol Bradley Bursack's SharePosts - February 9, 2013 Category: Dementia Authors: Carol Bradley Bursack Source Type: blogs
Book Relates First Hand Account of Marriage Challenged by Early Onset Alzheimer’s
It’s a rare marriage that lasts for decades without some tumultuous times and Pat Moffett’s marriage to his wife Carmen was no exception. However, despite a legal separation along the way, they eventually endured. As their children began their adult lives away from the family home, the Moffetts looked forward to retirement and more quality time together.
That dream evaporated the day Carmen flew into an uncontrollable... (Source: Carol Bradley Bursack's SharePosts)
Source: Carol Bradley Bursack's SharePosts - February 5, 2013 Category: Dementia Authors: Carol Bradley Bursack Source Type: blogs
Bilingual people may be better protected against Alzheimer's
The first elder for whom I became a primary caregiver was my neighbor, Joe. He was born of Norwegian immigrant parents who spoke Norwegian at home. As a result, Joe needed to repeat first grade because he spent his first year in school learning English. While Joe went on to become a well educated engineer who spoke English with no Norwegian accent, in his later years he did occasionally talk about the challenges he faced as a Norwegian speaking... (Source: Carol Bradley Bursack's SharePosts)
Source: Carol Bradley Bursack's SharePosts - January 31, 2013 Category: Dementia Authors: Carol Bradley Bursack Source Type: blogs
