Scientists Have Uncovered The Atomic Structure of a Key Alzheimer's Protein For The First Time

Scientists Have Uncovered The Atomic Structure of a Key Alzheimer's Protein For The First Time

This is huge.

PETER DOCKRILL
6 JUL 2017

For the first time, scientists have revealed the chemical structure of one of the key markers of Alzheimer's disease, capturing high-resolution images of the abnormaltau protein deposits suspected to be behind Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative conditions.

The results will now give scientists an unprecedented glimpse at how these harmful deposits function at a molecular level, and could lead to a number of new treatments to prevent them from forming – and in doing so, help to combat Alzheimer's and dementia.


"This is a tremendous step forward," says one of the team, Bernardino Ghetti from Indiana University.

"It's clear that tau is extremely important to the progression of Alzheimer's disease and certain forms of dementia. In terms of designing therapeutic agents, the possibilities are now enormous."

In the new study, researchers led by the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology (LMB) in the UK extracted tau protein filaments from the brain of a deceased patient with a confirmed diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease, and imaged them using a technique called called cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM).

Tau protein filaments. Credit: Scheres Group MRC-LMB

Alzheimer's disease is linked to the build-up of two kinds of abnormal protein deposits – tau filaments, which form inside nerve cells, and amyloid beta proteins, which builds up outside cells.

In healthy brains, tau acts as a stabiliser, but when the proteins become defective, they can form into bundles of tangled filaments, which are thought to impede communication between brain cells, leading to the neurodegeneration and reduced cognitive ability seen in conditions like Alzheimer's disease.

Researchers have studied the tau protein's involvement in Alzheimer's for decades, but up until now, we've never been able to see tau filaments up so close – and the molecular insights afforded by the cryo-EM imaging performed here could mean the opportunities for drug discovery targeting tau is a whole new ball game.

"Drugs that could clear away clumps of protein in the brain are a key goal for researchers, but to directly affect these proteins, molecules that make up a drug need to latch on and bind to their surface," explains the head of research at Alzheimer's Research UK, Rosa Sancho.

"Knowing the precise shape of these complex protein structures is enormously valuable in guiding the development of targeted drugs."

While there's no shortage of research examining how abnormal tau and amyloid beta proteins function, it's been unclear just how much artificial samples assembled in the lab differ from the structures that form in the lab.

Thanks to the tau structures obtained from the deceased patient, researchers now have the ability to investigate how abnormal filaments function at an atomic level in the human brain – and studying these tangles won't only benefit Alzheimer's research, the team says.

"This is a big step forward as far as tau goes but it is bigger than that," neuroscientist Michel Goedert from LMB told James Gallagher at BBC News.


"This is the first time anybody has determined the high-resolution structure [from human brain samples] for any of these diseases. The next step is to use this information to study the mechanisms of neurodegeneration."

We won't know the full ramifications of this discovery until scientists have a chance to follow up on the new findings presented here, but it's clear that this could be a major turning point in studying how to counter these harmful protein clumps, with Ghetti describing the result as one of the major discoveries of the last quarter century of Alzheimer's research.

That said, it may take many more years (or even decades) for new treatments to ultimately come out of this – but at least we're now a big step closer to that long-hoped-for eventuality, which before now may have been impossible.

"It's like shooting in the dark – you can still hit something but you are much more likely to hit if you know what the structure is," explains one of the team, LMB's Sjors Scheres.

"We are excited – it opens up a whole new era in this field, it really does."

The findings are reported in Nature.

25 Things You Can Do to Prevent Alzheimer's

25 Things You Can Do to Prevent Alzheimer's 

Alzheimer’s strikes fear in all of us. The thought of losing your mind as  you grow older is terrifying and made worse by the fact that, before now,  there appeared to be little we could do to slow down or avoid Alzheimer’s,  the most common form of dementia. 

Today, research has found many factors that raise or diminish the risk of  Alzheimer's disease. Following these tips, you could slash your chances of  developing the disease: 

1. Check out your ankle 

Low blood flow in your foot is a clue to trouble in your brain and a simple  test can reveal its cognitive state and your likelihood of stroke and  dementia. The theory is that the health of your blood vessels is similar  throughout the body. The degree of clogged arteries and blood flow in the  feet can suggest atherosclerosis in cerebral blood vessels. Ask your doctor  for an ankle-brachial index (ABI) test which involves an ultrasound device  and a blood pressure cuff that compares blood pressure in your ankle with  that in your arm. To remedy any impairment of blood flow your GP may advise  stepped-up exercise or a change in diet/medication.

2. Antioxidant-rich foods 

Certain foods infuse your brain with antioxidants that can slow memory  decline and help prevent Alzheimer’s. All fruit and vegetables are good but  top of the list are black raspberries, elderberries, raisins and  blueberries. 

3. Beware of bad fats 

The type of fat you eat changes your brain’s functioning for better or 

worse. Stay away from saturated fats which strangle brain cells causing  them to become inefficient. Buy low fat or fat-free dairy products  including milk, cheese and ice cream. Cut down on deep-fried foods. 

4. Chocolate Treat 

Cocoa, the main ingredient in chocolate, has sky-high concentrations of  antioxidants called flavanols, which possess strong heart and  brain-protecting properties. Drinking cocoa increases blood flow to the  brain. Cocoa powder has twice as many flavanols as dark chocolate which has  twice a many as milk chocolate. White chocolate has zero.

5. Grow a bigger brain 

Your brain starts to shrink when you reach 30 or 40 so it takes longer to  learn. However scientists now believe you can increase the size of your  brain through the act of learning. Try studying, learning new things or  broadening your circle of friends for stimulation. 

6. The Estrogen Evidence 

Sixty eight per cent of Alzheimer’s patients are women, possibly as midway  through life they lose the protection of the hormone estrogen which boosts  memory. Unless your GP says otherwise, start taking estrogen immediately at  the time of menopause – starting any later risks dementia and strokes. 

7. Raise good cholesterol 

It’s well known that having high good-type HDL blood cholesterol protects  you from heart disease. But it can also save your brain. Researchers claim  it blocks sticky stuff that destroys brain cells and acts as an  anti-inflammatory to lessen brain damage. Ways to ramp up good cholesterol  include exercise, drinking moderate amounts of alcohol and losing weight. 

8. Google something 

Doing an internet search can stimulate ageing brains even more than reading  a book.And MRI scans show that savvy surfers have twice as many sparks of brain  activity as novices. Go online to search for information, things to buy or  games to play. Although it’s not known how much it will benefit your brain,  it’s better than passive pursuits.

9. The ApoE4 gene 

One in four of you reading this has a specific genetic time bomb that makes  you 3 to 10 times more susceptible to developing late-onset Alzheimer’s.  The gene is called apolipoprotein E4. If you inherit a single variant of  ApoE4 from one parent, your Alzheimer’s risk triples. If you inherit a  double dose from both parents, your risk rises by 10 times. Ask your doctor  about a DNA test to reveal your ApoE4 geno type. 

10. Say yes to coffee 

Coffee is emerging as a tonic for the ageing brain. It is 

anti-inflammatory, helps block the ill effects of cholesterol in the brain  and cuts the risks of stroke, depression and diabetes, all promoters of  dementia. It is also high in antioxidants and caffeine which stop neuronal  death and lessen diabetes, high blood pressure and strokes that bring on  dementia. For most people, a moderate daily intake of coffee, two to four  cups, won’t hurt and may help. 

11. Dangers of underweight 

Unexplained weight loss after age 60 or so may be a sign of Alzheimer’s. A  study showed that women with the disease started losing weight at least 10  years before dementia was diagnosed. Among women of equal weight, those who  went on to develop dementia slowly became thinner over three decades and,  when diagnosed, weighed an average 12 lbs less that women who were free of  Alzheimer’s. Talk to your doctor about unexplained weight loss after 60. 

12. Drink wine 

A daily glass of wine may help delay dementia. Research says that alcohol  is an anti-inflammatory and raises good cholesterol which helps ward off  dementia. High antioxidants in red wine give it additional anti-dementia  clout. Such antioxidants act as artery relaxants, dilating blood vessels  and increasing blood flow which encourages cognitive functioning. 

13. Know the early signs 

Memory problems are not the first clue. You may notice a decline in depth  perception, for example you reach to pick up a glass of water and miss it.  Or you misjudge the distance in walking across a street. 

Doing a jigsaw puzzle or reading a map may also be confusing. Losing your  sense of smell can also be an early clue, as well as asking the same  question repeatedly or misplacing belongings in odd places (like putting  keys in the fridge). Be aware of memory problems as the earlier the signs  are spotted, the more successful lifestyle changes and medications are  likely to be.

14. A Mediterranean diet

The Mediterranean diet, no matter where you live, can help save your brain  from memory deterioration and dementia. Studies consistently find that what  the Greeks and Italians eat is truly brain food. Following this diet – rich  in green leafy vegetables, fish, fruits, nuts, legumes, olive oil and a  little vino – can cut your chances of Alzheimer’s by nearly half. Rather  than depending on just one food or a few nutrients, it is a rich menu of  many complex brain benefactors, including an array of antioxidants, which  shield brain cells from oxidative damage.

15. Middle Age Obesity

Your brain cares if you are fat. A study showed obese people had 8% less  brain tissue and overweight people had 4% less brain tissue than people of  average  weight, which according to some scientists hugely increases the  risk of Alzheimer’s. Moreover, brain shrinkage occurred in areas of the  brain targeted by Alzheimer’s, and which are critical for planning, long-term  memory, attention and executive functions, and control of movement.  Tackle signs of rising weight early, when you are young or middle-aged.  Oddly, being obese after the age of 70 does not raise the risk of  Alzheimer’s but that doesn’t mean you should neglect exercise as it is the  best way of stimulating cognitive functioning and may delay the onset of  Alzheimer’s at any age.

16. Get a good night’s sleep

A lack of sleep is toxic to brain cells. Sleep has surprising powers to  protect your brain against memory loss and Alzheimer’s. It is a wonder drug  that helps manipulate levels of the dreaded brain toxin peptide  beta-amyloid, a prime instigator of Alzheimer’s, which according to one  scientist puts you at accelerated risk. Research has also found that  sleeping an average of five hours or less a night is linked to large  increases in dangerous visceral abdominal fat, which can cause diabetes and  obesity that can lead to Alzheimer’s. Take naps and seek treatment for  sleep disorders.

17. Have an extended social circle

Studying the brain of a highly sociable 90-year-old woman who died from  Alzheimer’s, researchers in Chicago found that having a large social  network provided her with strong “cognitive reserve” that enabled her brain  to not realize she had Alzheimer’s. Why this happens is a mystery but  interacting with friends and family seems to make the brain more efficient.  It finds alternative routes of communication to bypass broken connections  left by Alzheimer’s. So see friends and family often and expand your social  network. The stronger the brain reserve you build through life, the more  likely you are to stave off Alzheimer’s symptoms.

18. Deal with stress

When you are under stress, your body pours out hormones called  corticosteroids, which can save you in a crisis. But persistent stress  reactions triggered by everyday events like work frustration, traffic and  financial worries can be dangerous. Over time, it can destroy brain cells  and suppress the growth of new ones, actually shrinking your brain. Sudden  traumatic events like the death of a loved one or a life-changing event  like retirement can leave a hangover of severe psychological stress that  precedes dementia. Be aware that chronic stress can increase older people’s  vulnerability to memory decline and dementia. Seek professional advice.  Antidepressants, counselling, relaxation techniques and other forms of  therapy may head off stress-related memory loss if treated early.

19. Take care of your teeth 

Bad gums may poison your brain. People with tooth and gum disease tend to  score lower in memory and  cognition tests, according to US dental  researchers who found that infection responsible for gum disease gives  off inflammatory  byproducts that travel to areas of the brain involved in memory loss.  Consequently, brushing, flossing and preventing gum disease may help keep  your gums and teeth healthy but also your memory sharper. In another study,  older people with the most severe gingivitis – inflamed gums – were two to  three times more likely to show signs of impaired memory and cognition than  those with the least.

20. Get enough Vitamin B12

As you age, blood levels of vitamin B12 go down and the chance of  Alzheimer’s goes up. Your ability to absorb it from foods diminishes in  middle age, setting the stage for brain degeneration years later.  Researchers at Oxford University found that a brain running low on B12  actually shrinks and a shortage can lead to brain atrophy by ripping away,  myelin, a fatty protective sheath around neurons. It can also trigger  inflammation, another destroyer of brain cells. Take 500 to 1000mcg of  vitamin B12 daily after the age of 40. If you or an older family member has  unexplained memory loss, fatigue or signs of dementia, be sure to get  tested for vitamin B12 deficiency by your GP.

21. Vinegar in everything

There is plenty of evidence that  vinegar sinks risk factors that may lead  to memory decline, namely high blood sugar, insulin resistance, diabetes  and pre-diabetes and weight gain. Researchers in Phoenix, Arizona, have  noted in studies of humans and animals that the acidic stuff packs potent  glucose-lowering effects. Studies have also found it can curb appetite and  food intake, helping prevent weight gain and obesity, which are associated  with diabetes, accelerated dementia and memory loss. Pour on the vinegar –  add it to salad dressings, eat it by the spoonful, even mix it into a glass  of drinking water. Any type of vinegar works.

22. Have your eyes checked

If you preserve good or excellent vision as you age, your chances of  developing dementia drop by an astonishing 63%. And if it’s poor, just  visiting an optician for an eye test and possible treatment at least once  in later life cuts your dementia odds by about the same amount. Exactly how  vision problems promote dementia is not clear but impaired vision makes it  difficult to participate in mental and physical activities such as reading  and exercising, as well as social activities, all believed to delay  cognitive decline. Be aware that your eyes reflect and influence how your  brain is functioning, especially as you age. Don’t tolerate poor vision as  often it can be corrected.

23. Eat curry or take curcumin pills

Curry powder contains the yellow-orange spice turmeric, packed withcurcumin  < http://www.ba-bamail.com/ >, a component reported to  stall memory decline. One study showed elderly Indians who ate even modest  amounts of curry did better in cognitive tests. Curcumin works by blocking  the build-up of Alzheimer’s-inducing amyloid plaques (deposits found in the  brains of sufferers) then nibbles away at existing plaques to slow  cognitive decline.  It is recommended to eat two or three curries a week, and make it a yellow  curry. Otherwise, sprinkle the spices on your food. Read more about the  many benefits of Curcumin.

24. diabetes control

Having type 2 diabetes makes you more vulnerable to Alzheimer’s. Studies  show it may double or triple your risk and the earlier diabetes takes hold,  the higher the odds of dementia. Some experts refer to Alzheimer’s as  “diabetes of the brain”. The two disorders have similar causes – obesity,  high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high fat and high sugar diets, low  physical activity as well as high blood sugar. In short, diabetes can  deliver a double whammy to the brain, destroying neurons and increasing  inflammation. Do everything possible to keep blood sugar levels low and  stick to a low-saturated-fat diet and regular exercise.

25. Drink more tea

Evidence suggests that tea stalls the cognitive loss that precedes  Alzheimer’s and that the more tea you drink, the sharper your ageing memory  is. Tea’s secret is no mystery. The leaves are packed with compounds able  to penetrate the blood-brain barrier and block neuronal damage.  One particular green tea antioxidant can block the toxicity of  beta-amyloid, which kills brain cells. Make a point of drinking black and  green tea. Don’t add milk, it can reduce tea’s antioxidant activity by 25%

15-year-old schoolboy develops test for Alzheimer's disease - Telegraph UK

15-year-old schoolboy develops test for Alzheimer's disease

Krtin Nithiyanandam has developed a test which could not only pick up the early signs of Alzheimer's disease but potentially stops it spreading further

Krtin Nithiyanandam 

By Sarah Knapton, Science Editor

6:30AM BST 13 Jul 2015

A 15-year-old British boy has developed a potential test for Alzheimer’s disease which could allow the condition to be diagnosed 10 years before the first symptoms appear.

Currently Alzheimer’s can only be detected through a series of cognitive tests or by looking at the brain after death.

But Krtin Nithiyanandam, of Epsom, Surrey, has developed a ‘trojan horse’ antibody which can penetrate the brain and attach to neurotoxic proteins which are present in the very first stages of the disease.

The antibodies, which would be injected into the bloodstream are also attached to fluorescent particles which can then be picked up on a brain scan.

Krtin submitted his test to the Google Science Fair Prize and learned that he had made it through to the final last week. He will find out next month if he has won a prestigious scholarship and mentoring to take his idea further.

“The main benefits of my test are that it could be used to diagnose Alzheimer’s disease before symptoms start to show by focusing on pathophysiological changes, some of which can occur a decade before symptoms are prevalent,” Krtin told The Daily Telegraph.

“This early diagnosis could help families prepare for the future and ensure that existing drugs are used to better effect.

“Another benefit is that due to the conjugated fluorescent nanoparticles, my diagnostic-probe can be used to image Alzheimer’s disease non-invasively.”

Neurodegenerative disease like dementia are so hard to diagnose and treat because of the blood-brain barrier, an extra layer of cellular material which surrounds blood vessels in the brain, and refuses to let anything through that is absolutely essential.

But Krtin’s antibodies can pass through that barrier. Latest lab tests even show that they ‘handcuff’ the toxic proteins, stopping them from developing further which could potentially stop Alzhiemer’s in its tracks

There are 850,000 people currently suffering from dementia in the UK, with Alzheimer's disease being the most common type. The disease kills at least 60,000 people each year.

“Some of my new preliminary research has suggested that my diagnostic probe could simultaneously have therapeutic potential as well as diagnostic,” said Krtin who attends Sutton Grammar School.

Link Between Vitamin D Deficiency and Dementia Confirmed - Mercola

Link Between Vitamin D Deficiency and Dementia Confirmed

November 06, 2014

By Dr. Mercola

Vitamin D has been shown to improve a number of brain disorders, including dementia and its most severe form, Alzheimer’s disease,1 the latter of which now affects an estimated 5.2 million Americans.2

The latest mortality statistics places Alzheimer’s in the top three killer diseases in the US, right behind heart disease and cancer.3 Vitamin D deficiency is also rampant. Researchers estimate that half of the general population is at risk of vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency.

Among seniors, that estimate reaches as high as 95 percent. While certainly not the sole cause of dementia, evidence suggests vitamin D may be a very important factor for successful prevention.

A wide variety of brain tissue contains vitamin D receptors, and when they’re activated by vitamin D, it facilitates nerve growth in your brain. Researchers also believe that optimal vitamin D levels boosts levels of important brain chemicals, and protect brain cells by increasing the effectiveness of glial cells in nursing damaged neurons back to health.

Vitamin D may also exert some of its beneficial effects on your brain through its anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting properties, which are well established.

‘Most Robust Study of Its Kind’ Confirms Link Between Low Vitamin D and Dementia

The link between low vitamin D and dementia has again been confirmed with the publication of a robust six-year long study4 conducted by an international team of researchers. As reported by Science Daily:5

“[S]tudy participants who were severely vitamin D deficient were more than twice as likely to develop dementia and Alzheimer's disease...

[A]dults in the study who were moderately deficient in vitamin D had a 53 percent increased risk of developing dementia of any kind, and the risk increased to 125 percent in those who were severely deficient.

Similar results were recorded for Alzheimer's disease, with the moderately deficient group 69 percent more likely to develop this type of dementia, jumping to a 122 percent increased risk for those severely deficient.”

The authors concluded that: “Our results confirm that vitamin D deficiency is associated with a substantially increased risk of all-cause dementia and Alzheimer disease. This adds to the ongoing debate about the role of vitamin D in nonskeletal conditions.”

The findings also suggest there’s a threshold level of circulating vitamin D, below which your risk for dementia increases. This threshold was found to be right around 50 nmol/L, or 20 ng/ml. Higher levels were associated with good brain health.

Based on previous research, I believe 20 ng/ml is still too low, and potentially dangerously so... When it comes to vitamin D, you really want to be in the optimal or clinically relevant range, and as the years have gone by, researchers have progressively moved that target range upward.

At present, based on the evaluation of healthy populations that get plenty of natural sun exposure, the optimal range for general health appears to be somewhere between 50 and 70 ng/ml, or 125-175 nmol/L—a far cry from the threshold suggested in this study.

References for target ranges

Sun Exposure Is the Ideal Way to Optimize Your Vitamin D Level

I believe sensible sun exposure is the ideal way to optimize your vitamin D levels. As a general rule, you’ll want to expose large amounts of bare skin to the sun until it turns the lightest shade of pink, if you’re light-skinned.

This typically occurs in about half the time it would normally take you to burn. So if you know you tend to get sunburned after 30 minutes, you’d want to stay in the sun for about 15 minutes.

Those with darker skin may need to pay closer attention to notice when this slight reddening occurs. It’s really impossible to give any firm recommendations for how long you need to stay in the sun to optimize vitamin D production, as it varies greatly depending on a number of factors, such as:

Antioxidant levels and diet in general	Age
Skin color and/or current tan level	Use of sunscreen
Latitude and altitude (elevation)	Cloud cover and pollution
Ozone layer	Surface reflection
Season	Time of day
Weight	Altitude

Other Alternatives: UVB emitting lights or Supplements

Your second-best option would be to use lights that emit UVB.

If your circumstances prevent either of these strategies, then you’re left with taking a vitamin D supplement. 

GrassrootsHealth has a helpful chart showing the average adult dose required to reach healthy vitamin D levels based upon your measured starting point. Many experts agree that 35 IUs of vitamin D per pound of body weight could be used as an estimate for your ideal dose.

Be sure to take vitamin D3—not synthetic D2—and take vitamin K2 in conjunction with it. The biological role of vitamin K2 is to help move calcium into the proper areas in your body, and without sufficient amounts, calcium may build up in areas such as your arteries and soft tissues.

This can cause calcification that can lead to hardening of your arteries—a side effect previously thought to be caused by vitamin D toxicity. We now know that inappropriate calcification is actually due more to lack of K2 than simply too much vitamin D.

Magnesium Is Also Important for Vitamin D Activity

Magnesium is another important player—both for the proper function of calcium, and for the activity of vitamin D, as it converts vitamin D into its active form. Magnesium also activates enzyme activity that helps your body use the vitamin D. In fact, all enzymes that metabolize vitamin D require magnesium to work. Magnesium also appears to play a role in vitamin D’s immune-boosting effects. As noted by magnesium expert Dr. Carolyn Dean, MD, ND:6

“The effectiveness and benefits of vitamin D are greatly undermined in the absence of adequate levels of magnesium in the body. Magnesium acts with and is essential to the activity of vitamin D, and yet most Americans do not get their recommended daily allowance (RDA) of this important mineral.”

As with vitamin D and K2, magnesium deficiency is also common, and if you’re lacking in magnesium and take supplemental calcium, you may exacerbate the situation. 

Vitamin K2, magnesium, calcium, and vitamin D all work in tandem with each other, which is why it’s important to pay attention to their ratios. Vitamin A, zinc, and boron are other important cofactors that interact with vitamin D, and indeed, zinc deficiency has also been identified as a contributing factor to Alzheimer’s disease.

When taking supplements, it can be easy to create lopsided ratios, so getting these nutrients from an organic whole food diet and sensible sun exposure is generally your best bet. Dietary sources of magnesium include sea vegetables, such as kelp, dulse, and nori. Vegetables can also be a good source. As for supplements, magnesium citrate and magnesium threonate are among the best.

My Alzheimer’s Prevention Strategies

Because there are so few treatments for Alzheimer’s, and no available cure, you’re really left with just one solid solution, and that is to prevent it from happening to you in the first place. 

Diet is part and parcel of a successful prevention plan, and my optimized nutrition plan can set you on the right path in this regard. As explained by neurologist Dr. David Perlmutter, author of the book, Grain Brain, Alzheimer’s is a disease predicated primarily on lifestyle choices; the two main culprits being excessive sugar and gluten consumption.

Another major factor is the development and increased consumption of genetically engineered (GE) grains, which are heavily contaminated with glyphosate—a herbicide thought to be worse than DDT, and DDT has already been linked to the development of Alzheimer’s... GE sugar and grains are now pervasive in most processed foods sold in the US, so swapping out processed fare for whole foods is an important part of the equation. In terms of your diet and other lifestyle factors, the following suggestions may be among the most important for 

Alzheimer’s prevention:

• Avoid sugar and refined fructose. Ideally, you’ll want to keep your sugar levels to a minimum and your total fructose below 25 grams per day, or as low as 15 grams per day if you have insulin/leptin resistance or any related disorders
• Avoid gluten and casein (primarily wheat and pasteurized dairy, but not dairy fat, such as butter). Research shows that your blood-brain barrier is negatively affected by gluten. Gluten also makes your gut more permeable, which allows proteins to get into your bloodstream, where they don’t belong. That then sensitizes your immune system and promotes inflammation and autoimmunity, both of which play a role in the development of Alzheimer’s
• Optimize your gut flora by regularly eating fermented foods or taking a high-potency and high-quality probiotic supplement.
• Increase consumption of all healthy fats, including animal-based omega-3. Healthy fats that your brain needs for optimal function include organically-raised grass-fed meats, coconut oil, olives and olive oil, avocado, nuts, organic pastured egg yolks, and butter made from raw grass-fed milk. High intake of the omega-3 fats EPA and DHA are also helpful for preventing cell damage caused by Alzheimer's disease, thereby slowing down its progression, and lowering your risk of developing the disorder.
• Reduce your overall calorie consumption, and/or intermittently fast. Ketones are mobilized when you replace carbs with coconut oil and other sources of healthy fats. As mentioned above intermittent fasting is a powerful tool to jumpstart your body into remembering how to burn fat and repair the inulin/leptin resistance that is also a primary contributing factor for Alzheimer’s. To learn more, please see this previous article.
• Improve your magnesium levels. Preliminary research strongly suggests a decrease in Alzheimer symptoms with increased levels of magnesium in the brain. Unfortunately, most magnesium supplements do not pass the blood brain levels, but a new one, magnesium threonate, appears to and holds some promise for the future for treating this condition and may be superior to other forms.
• Eat a nutritious diet, rich in folate. Vegetables, without question, are your best form of folate, and we should all eat plenty of fresh raw veggies every day. Avoid supplements like folic acid, which is the inferior synthetic version of folate.
• Exercise regularly. It's been suggested that exercise can trigger a change in the way the amyloid precursor protein is metabolized,7 thus, slowing down the onset and progression of Alzheimer's. Exercise also increases levels of the BDNF, (brain derived neurotropic factor) and PGC-1alpha. Research has shown that people with Alzheimer's have less PGC-1alpha in their brains and cells that contain more of the protein produce less of the toxic amyloid protein associated with Alzheimer's. I would strongly recommend reviewing the Peak Fitness Technique for my specific recommendations.
• Optimize your vitamin D levels with safe sun exposure. Sufficient vitamin D is imperative for proper functioning of your immune system to combat inflammation that is also associated with Alzheimer's.
• Avoid and eliminate mercury from your body. Dental amalgam fillings, which are 50 percent mercury by weight, are one of the major sources of heavy metal toxicity. However, you should be healthy prior to having them removed. Once you have adjusted to following the diet described in my optimized nutrition plan, you can follow the mercury detox protocol and then find a biological dentist to have your amalgams removed.
• Avoid and eliminate aluminum from your body: Sources of aluminum include antiperspirants, non-stick cookware, vaccine adjuvants, etc. For tips on how to detox aluminum, please see my article, “First Case Study to Show Direct Link between Alzheimer’s and Aluminum Toxicity.”
• Avoid flu vaccinations as most contain both mercury and aluminum, well-known neurotoxic and immunotoxic agents.
• Avoid anticholinergics and statin drugs. Drugs that block acetylcholine, a nervous system neurotransmitter, have been shown to increase your risk of dementia. These drugs include certain nighttime pain relievers, antihistamines, sleep aids, certain antidepressants, medications to control incontinence, and certain narcotic pain relievers. Statin drugs are particularly problematic because they suppress the synthesis of cholesterol, deplete your brain of coenzyme Q10 and neurotransmitter precursors, and prevent adequate delivery of essential fatty acids and fat-soluble antioxidants to your brain by inhibiting the production of the indispensable carrier biomolecule known as low-density lipoprotein.
• Challenge your mind daily. Mental stimulation, especially learning something new, such as learning to play an instrument or a new language, is associated with a decreased risk of Alzheimer's. Researchers suspect that mental challenge helps to build up your brain, making it less susceptible to the lesions associated with Alzheimer's disease.
• Avoid electromagnetic fields (EMF) created by wireless devices. The BioInitiative Report,8 initially published in 2007, and again in 2012 by an international working group of scientists, researchers, and public health policy professionals, concluded that the existing standards for public safety are completely inadequate to protect your health. The report includes evidence that electromagnetic fields and exposure to radiofrequencies can have a detrimental impact on Alzheimer’s disease, along with a whole host of other chronic health problems.

How Vitamin D Performance Testing Can Help Optimize Your Health

A robust and growing body of research clearly shows that vitamin D is absolutely critical for good health and disease prevention. Vitamin D affects your DNA through vitamin D receptors (VDRs), which bind to specific locations of the human genome. Scientists have identified nearly 3,000 genes that are influenced by vitamin D levels, and vitamin D receptors have been found throughout the human body.

Is it any wonder then that no matter what disease or condition is investigated, vitamin D appears to play a crucial role? This is why I am so excited about the D*Action Project by GrassrootsHealth. Dr. Heaney is the research director of GrassrootsHealth and is part of the design of the D*action Project as well as analysis of the research findings. GrassrootsHealth shows how you can take action today on known science with a consensus of experts without waiting for institutional lethargy. It has shown how by combining the science of measurement (of vitamin D levels) with the personal choice of taking action and, the value of education about individual measures that one can truly be in charge of their own health.

In order to spread this health movement to more communities, the project needs your involvement. This was an ongoing campaign during the month of February, and will become an annual event.

To participate, simply purchase the D*Action Measurement Kit and follow the registration instructions included. (Please note that 100 percent of the proceeds from the kits go to fund the research project. I do not charge a single dime as a distributor of the test kits.)

As a participant, you agree to test your vitamin D levels twice a year during a five-year study, and share your health status to demonstrate the public health impact of this nutrient. There is a $65 fee every six months for your sponsorship of this research project, which includes a test kit to be used at home, and electronic reports on your ongoing progress. You will get a follow up email every six months reminding you "it's time for your next test and health survey."

Where Do We Go From Here?

GrassrootsHealth is now undertaking a new project entitled the Protect our Children NOW! (POC) project. The aim of this project is to acquire participation of at least 500 pregnant women in a community, and to increase their serum levels to the suggested level of at least 40 ng/ml based on the clinical trial by Hollis & Wagner.  In addition, the project will take these results in 2 years and 'march' on the various institutions in the state/government/to the March of Dimes, to demand that action be taken to protect the world's next generation.

Among other items, the projects expected impact is likely to be a reduction in preterm births,(in some cases up to a 50% reduction). The project already has the blessing of the scientists, the physicians at the Medical University of South Carolina (which are implementing it in their practices) and even the insurance company. Any community can implement this and make a difference for themselves and others. For further information contact Jen Aliano, Project Manager, at jen@grassrootshealth.org.

New Alzheimer’s treatment fully restores memory function - Science Alert.

New Alzheimer’s treatment fully restores memory function

Of the mice that received the treatment, 75 percent got their memory function back.

BEC CREW

18 MAR 2015

Australian researchers have come up with a non-invasive ultrasound technology that clears the brain of neurotoxic amyloid plaques - structures that are responsible for memory loss and a decline in cognitive function in Alzheimer’s patients.

If a person has Alzheimer’s disease, it’s usually the result of a build-up of two types of lesions - amyloid plaques, and neurofibrillary tangles. Amyloid plaques sit between the neurons and end up as dense clusters of beta-amyloid molecules, a sticky type of protein that clumps together and forms plaques. 

Neurofibrillary tangles are found inside the neurons of the brain, and they’re caused by defective tau proteins that clump up into a thick, insoluble mass. This causes tiny filaments called microtubules to get all twisted, which disrupts the transportation of essential materials such as nutrients and organelles along them, just like when you twist up the vacuum cleaner tube.

As we don’t have any kind of vaccine or preventative measure for Alzheimer’s - a disease that affects 343,000 people in Australia, and 50 million worldwide - it’s been a race to figure out how best to treat it, starting with how to clear the build-up of defective beta-amyloid and tau proteins from a patient’s brain. Now a team from the Queensland Brain Institute (QBI) at the University of Queensland have come up with a pretty promising solution for removing the former.

Publishing in Science Translational Medicine, the team describes the technique as using a particular type of ultrasound called a focused therapeutic ultrasound, which non-invasively beams sound waves into the brain tissue. By oscillating super-fast, these sound waves are able to gently open up the blood-brain barrier, which is a layer that protects the brain against bacteria, and stimulate the brain’s microglial cells to activate. Microglila cells are basically waste-removal cells, so they’re able to clear out the toxic beta-amyloid clumps that are responsible for the worst symptoms of Alzheimer’s.

The team reports fully restoring the memory function of 75 percent of the mice they tested it on, with zero damage to the surrounding brain tissue. They found that the treated mice displayed improved performance in three memory tasks - a maze, a test to get them to recognise new objects, and one to get them to remember the places they should avoid.

"We’re extremely excited by this innovation of treating Alzheimer’s without using drug therapeutics," one of the team, Jürgen Götz, said in a press release. "The word ‘breakthrough’ is often misused, but in this case I think this really does fundamentally change our understanding of how to treat this disease, and I foresee a great future for this approach."

The team says they’re planning on starting trials with higher animal models, such as sheep, and hope to get their human trials underway in 2017. 

You can hear an ABC radio interview with the team here.

The 11 Health Benefits of Whisky

The 11 Health Benefits of Whisky Whisky is one of the most popular alcoholic beverages in the world, thanks to its distinct flavors and the fact that it’s the least likely to give you a hangover. Add to that the fact that whisky also holds several medicinal property, and you got yourself an obvious success story. Please remember that whisky is alcoholic, so drink it responsibly and as always - in moderation.

A Brief History The first confirmed accounts of whisky distillation are from the early 15th century, when the Irish and Scottish distilled it, calling it “Aqua Vitae” (Water of Life / Lively Water), for medicinal properties.  During the American Revolution, it was used as currency and George Washington even owned a distillery in Mount Vernon. In the Prohibition era (1920-1933), whisky was the only alcohol permitted for consumption with a doctor’s prescription.

The Health Benefits of Whiskey: 1. Memory Boost: Whisky contains antioxidants that help improve the health of the brain, additionally, alcohol boosts blood circulation, both of which contribute to your memory. In addition, the Ethanol in whisky helps your neurons function properly, which also aids with memory. 2. Stress Relief: In moderation, whisky can reduce stress and calm the nerves. The combination of slowing down  brain activity and increased circulation, which helps provide the body with oxygenated blood, are essential for achieving calmness. 3. Fight Weight Gain: Compared to its counterparts, whisky is a low-calorie alcohol, free of fat and cholesterol. If you’re on a diet but still want a drink – it’s your best choice. 4. Reduce the Risk of a Stroke: Whisky prevents cholesterol from accumulating in the cardiovascular system and can help remove excess cholesterol from the body. It also relaxes the walls of the arteries, reducing the risk of obstruction. All of these factors help reduce the risk of stroke considerably. 5. Reduce the Risk of Cancer: Whisky contains an antioxidant called ‘ellagic acid’, an acid that stops DNA from coming in contact with cancer-causing compounds, such as nitrosamines and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.. It is also said to help protect the body from damage during chemotherapy. 6. Helps with Digestion: For centuries, whisky was considered a digestive aid, drunk after a heavy meal. Whisky's composition and high alcohol percentage also makes it an effective appetite suppressant. 7. Live Longer: The antioxidants in whisky help fight free radicals – the number one cause of aging, as well as prevent various diseases. This double-whammy helps your body live a longer, healthier life. 8. Diabetic-Friendly: Containing zero carbs, it won’t affect blood sugar levels, making it the number one choice for diabetics. 9. Improve Your Heart's Health: Drinking whisky actually helps your heart stay healthy, similarly to red wine. It reduces the risk of blood clots, thus it can prevent strokes and heart attacks. The antioxidants in the whisky also inhibits the oxidation of low density lipoprotein - a main factor in heart disease. 10. Improve the Health of Your Brain: A 2003 study found that, thanks to the antioxidant qualities of the ellagic acid, moderate consumption of whisky reduces the risk of Alzheimer’s and dementia, as well as improve cognitive functions. Basically, one drink a day will keep the doctor away. 11. Prevent & Treat Cold and Flu: Whisky is known for its positive effects towards allergies and colds. It’s an effective cough syrup for people suffering from an itchy throat, and the alcohol helps kill bacteria in the throat. The best results are achieved by adding a little bit of whisky to a cup of hot water and lemon.

Disrupted biological clock linked to Alzheimer’s disease

Disrupted biological clock linked to Alzheimer’s disease

Fri, 03/27/2015 - 11:58am

David Stauth, Oregon State Univ.

New research has identified some of the processes by which molecules associated with neurological diseases can disrupt the biological clock, interfere with sleep and activity patterns and set the stage for a spiral of health concerns that can include a decreased lifespan and Alzheimer’s disease.

The research was published in Neurobiology of Disease by scientists from Oregon State Univ. and the Oregon Health & Science Univ., in work supported by the National Institutes of Health.

Previous studies have shown that disruption of the biological clock—the natural pattern of day-night activity that’s genetically controlled in many animals—can cause neurodegeneration, loss of motor function and early death.

The newest results help outline the molecular mechanisms involved, and show how proteins associated with neurological disease can diminish the biological clock function and ultimately lead to very serious health problems, including severe cognitive deterioration. It also confirms that these risks increase significantly with age.

"The molecular basis underlying biological clock deficits in Alzheimer's disease has been difficult to tease out," said Matthew Blake, an OSU faculty research assistant and author of the study. "Only recently have we been able to utilize our model system to accurately dissect this mechanism."

This research was done with fruit flies, which have many genes and biological processes that are similar or identical to those of humans, retained through millions of years of evolution. Circadian clocks are so essential to health that they are found throughout the nervous system and peripheral organs.

Proper function of circadian rhythms has been shown to affect everything from sleep to stress reaction, feeding patterns, DNA repair, fertility and even the effectiveness of medications.

“Alzheimer’s disease has always been of interest in this research, because sleep disruption is one of its earliest symptoms, and almost everyone with Alzheimer’s has some sleep problems,” said Jadwiga Giebultowicz, corresponding author of this study, a professor in the Dept. of Integrative Biology in the OSU College of Science, and expert on the biological and genetic underpinnings of the biological clock.

“This research adds more support to the hypothesis that neurological damage is a circular process that, in turn, causes more disruption of the biological clock,” Giebultowicz said. 

“We’ve identified a new player in this process, a fragment of the amyloid precursor protein called AICD, that is able to enter the nucleus of cells and interfere with central clock function.”

One known cause of Alzheimer’s disease is cleavage of an amyloid precursor protein, which creates a peptide that’s toxic to neurons. An enzyme involved is elevated in Alzheimer’s patients. This study took that process further and showed that increased production of the enzyme, which in flies is called dBACE, reduced the expression of a core clock protein.

The results suggest that dBACE acts via dAICD to cause the disruption of the biological clock and loss of daily sleep and activity cycles. This disruptive process was much more severe in older flies.

“A general message from this is that normal day-night, sleep and activity cycles are important,” Giebultowicz said.

“There’s evidence that proper sleep allows neuronal repair activity and the maintenance of neuronal health,” she said. “Since neuronal damage is a destructive process that can build on itself once it begins, it’s important that sleep issues should be taken seriously by people and their doctors, especially as they age.”

Molecular clock oscillations decline with age, Giebultowicz said, and finding ways to help maintain or restore them might form the basis for a possible therapy to reduce or prevent the associated health problems.

Source: Oregon State Univ.

25 Things You Can Do to Prevent Alzheimer's

 25 Things You Can Do to Prevent Alzheimer's  

Alzheimer’s strikes fear in all of us. The thought of losing your mind as you grow older is terrifying and made worse by the fact that, before now, there appeared to be little we could do to slow down or avoid Alzheimer’s, the most common form of dementia. Today, research has found many factors that raise or diminish the risk of Alzheimer's disease. Following these tips, you could slash your chances of developing the disease: 1. Check out your ankle Low blood flow in your foot is a clue to trouble in your brain and a simple test can reveal its cognitive state and your likelihood of stroke and dementia. The theory is that the health of your blood vessels is similar throughout the body. The degree of clogged arteries and blood flow in the feet can suggest atherosclerosis in cerebral blood vessels. Ask your doctor for an ankle-brachial index (ABI) test which involves an ultrasound device and a blood pressure cuff that compares blood pressure in your ankle with that in your arm. To remedy any impairment of blood flow your GP may advise stepped-up exercise or a change in diet/medication. 2. Antioxidant-rich foods Certain foods infuse your brain with antioxidants that can slow memory decline and help prevent Alzheimer’s. All fruit and vegetables are good but top of the list are black raspberries, elderberries, raisins and blueberries. 3. Beware of bad fats The type of fat you eat changes your brain’s functioning for better or worse. Stay away from saturated fats which strangle brain cells causing them to become inefficient. Buy low fat or fat-free dairy products including milk, cheese and ice cream. Cut down on deep-fried foods. 4. Chocolate Treat Cocoa, the main ingredient in chocolate, has sky-high concentrations of antioxidants called flavanols, which possess strong heart and brain-protecting properties. Drinking cocoa increases blood flow to the brain. Cocoa powder has twice as many flavanols as dark chocolate which has twice a many as milk chocolate. White chocolate has zero.  5. Grow a bigger brain Your brain starts to shrink when you reach 30 or 40 so it takes longer to learn. However scientists now believe you can increase the size of your brain through the act of learning. Try studying, learning new things or broadening your circle of friends for stimulation.  6. The Estrogen Evidence Sixty eight per cent of Alzheimer’s patients are women, possibly as midway through life they lose the protection of the hormone estrogen which boosts memory. Unless your GP says otherwise, start taking estrogen immediately at the time of menopause – starting any later risks dementia and strokes. 7. Raise good cholesterol It’s well known that having high good-type HDL blood cholesterol protects you from heart disease. But it can also save your brain. Researchers claim it blocks sticky stuff that destroys brain cells and acts as an anti-inflammatory to lessen brain damage. Ways to ramp up good cholesterol include exercise, drinking moderate amounts of alcohol and losing weight. 8. Google something Doing an internet search can stimulate ageing brains even more than reading a book. And MRI scans show that savvy surfers have twice as many sparks of brain activity as novices. Go online to search for information, things to buy or games to play. Although it’s not known how much it will benefit your brain, it’s better than passive pursuits. 9. The ApoE4 gene One in four of you reading this has a specific genetic time bomb that makes you 3 to 10 times more susceptible to developing late-onset Alzheimer’s. The gene is called apolipoprotein E4. If you inherit a single variant of ApoE4 from one parent, your Alzheimer’s risk triples. If you inherit a double dose from both parents, your risk rises by 10 times. Ask your doctor about a DNA test to reveal your ApoE4 genotype. 10. Say yes to coffee Coffee is emerging as a tonic for the ageing brain. It is anti-inflammatory, helps block the ill effects of cholesterol in the brain and cuts the risks of stroke, depression and diabetes, all promoters of dementia. It is also high in antioxidants and caffeine which stop neuronal death and lessen diabetes, high blood pressure and strokes that bring on dementia. For most people, a moderate daily intake of coffee, two to four cups, won’t hurt and may help. 11. Dangers of underweight Unexplained weight loss after age 60 or so may be a sign of Alzheimer’s. A study showed that women with the disease started losing weight at least 10 years before dementia was diagnosed. Among women of equal weight, those who went on to develop dementia slowly became thinner over three decades and, when diagnosed, weighed an average 12lb less that women who were free of Alzheimer’s. Talk to your doctor about unexplained weight loss after 60. 12. Drink wine A daily glass of wine may help delay dementia. Research says that alcohol is an anti-inflammatory and raises good cholesterol which helps ward off dementia. High antioxidants in red wine give it additional anti-dementia clout. Such antioxidants act as artery relaxants, dilating blood vessels and increasing blood flow which encourages cognitive functioning.  13. Know the early signs Memory problems are not the first clue. You may notice a decline in depth perception, for example you reach to pick up a glass of water and miss it. Or you misjudge the distance in walking across a street.  Doing a jigsaw puzzle or reading a map may also be confusing. Losing your sense of smell can also be an early clue, as well as asking the same question repeatedly or misplacing belongings in odd places (like putting keys in the fridge). Be aware of memory problems as the earlier the signs are spotted, the more successful lifestyle changes and medications are likely to be. 14. A Mediterranean diet The Mediterranean diet, no matter where you live, can help save your brain from memory deterioration and dementia. Studies consistently find that what the Greeks and Italians eat is truly brain food. Following this diet – rich in green leafy vegetables, fish, fruits, nuts, legumes, olive oil and a little vino – can cut your chances of Alzheimer’s by nearly half. Rather than depending on just one food or a few nutrients, it is a rich menu of many complex brain benefactors, including an array of antioxidants, which shield brain cells from oxidative damage. 15. Middle Age Obesity Your brain cares if you are fat. A study showed obese people had 8% less brain tissue and overweight people had 4% less brain tissue than people of average  weight, which according to some scientists hugely increases the risk of Alzheimer’s. Moreover, brain shrinkage occurred in areas of the brain targeted by Alzheimer’s, and which are critical for planning, long-term memory, attention and executive functions, and control of movement. Tackle signs of rising weight early, when you are young or middle-aged. Oddly, being obese after the age of 70 does not raise the risk of Alzheimer’s but that doesn’t mean you should neglect exercise as it is the best way of stimulating cognitive functioning and may delay the onset of Alzheimer’s at any age. 16. Get a good night’s sleep A lack of sleep is toxic to brain cells. Sleep has surprising powers to protect your brain against memory loss and Alzheimer’s. It is a wonder drug that helps manipulate levels of the dreaded brain toxin peptide beta-amyloid, a prime instigator of Alzheimer’s, which according to one scientist puts you at accelerated risk. Research has also found that sleeping an average of five hours or less a night is linked to large increases in dangerous visceral abdominal fat, which can cause diabetes and obesity that can lead to Alzheimer’s. Take naps and seek treatment for sleep disorders. May also interest you: A Few Health Tips to Keep You In Good Shape! Advice From a Nutritionist - Excellent Help! Places To Avoid For the Good of Your Health 17. Have an extended social circle Studying the brain of a highly sociable 90-year-old woman who died from Alzheimer’s, researchers in Chicago found that having a large social network provided her with strong “cognitive reserve” that enabled her brain to not realize she had Alzheimer’s. Why this happens is a mystery but interacting with friends and family seems to make the brain more efficient. It finds alternative routes of communication to bypass broken connections left by Alzheimer’s. So see friends and family often and expand your social network. The stronger the brain reserve you build through life, the more likely you are to stave off Alzheimer’s symptoms. 18. Deal with stress When you are under stress, your body pours out hormones called corticosteroids, which can save you in a crisis. But persistent stress reactions triggered by everyday events like work frustration, traffic and financial worries can be dangerous. Over time, it can destroy brain cells and suppress the growth of new ones, actually shrinking your brain. Sudden traumatic events like the death of a loved one or a life-changing event like retirement can leave a hangover of severe psychological stress that precedes dementia. Be aware that chronic stress can increase older people’s vulnerability to memory decline and dementia. Seek professional advice. Antidepressants, counselling, relaxation techniques and other forms of therapy may head off stress-related memory loss if treated early.  19. Take care of your teeth Bad gums may poison your brain. People with tooth and gum disease tend to score lower in memory and  cognition tests, according to US dental researchers who found that infection responsible for gum disease gives off inflammatory byproducts that travel to areas of the brain involved in memory loss. Consequently, brushing, flossing and preventing gum disease may help keep your gums and teeth healthy but also your memory sharper. In another study, older people with the most severe gingivitis – inflamed gums – were two to three times more likely to show signs of impaired memory and cognition than those with the least. 20. Get enough Vitamin B12 As you age, blood levels of vitamin B12 go down and the chance of Alzheimer’s goes up. Your ability to absorb it from foods diminishes in middle age, setting the stage for brain degeneration years later. Researchers at Oxford University found that a brain running low on B12 actually shrinks and a shortage can lead to brain atrophy by ripping away, myelin, a fatty protective sheath around neurons. It can also trigger inflammation, another destroyer of brain cells. Take 500 to 1000mcg of vitamin B12 daily after the age of 40. If you or an older family member has unexplained memory loss, fatigue or signs of dementia, be sure to get tested for vitamin B12 deficiency by your GP. 21. Vinegar in everything There is plenty of evidence that  vinegar sinks risk factors that may lead to memory decline, namely high blood sugar, insulin resistance, diabetes and pre-diabetes and weight gain. Researchers in Phoenix, Arizona, have noted in studies of humans and animals that the acidic stuff packs potent glucose-lowering effects. Studies have also found it can curb appetite and food intake, helping prevent weight gain and obesity, which are associated with diabetes, accelerated dementia and memory loss. Pour on the vinegar – add it to salad dressings, eat it by the spoonful, even mix it into a glass of drinking water. Any type of vinegar works. 22. Have your eyes checked If you preserve good or excellent vision as you age, your chances of developing dementia drop by an astonishing 63%. And if it’s poor, just visiting an optician for an eye test and possible treatment at least once in later life cuts your dementia odds by about the same amount. Exactly how vision problems promote dementia is not clear but impaired vision makes it difficult to participate in mental and physical activities such as reading and exercising, as well as social activities, all believed to delay cognitive decline. Be aware that your eyes reflect and influence how your brain is functioning, especially as you age. Don’t tolerate poor vision as often it can be corrected. 23. Eat curry or take curcumin pills Curry powder contains the yellow-orange spice turmeric, packed with curcumin, a component reported to stall memory decline. One study showed elderly Indians who ate even modest amounts of curry did better in cognitive tests. Curcumin works by blocking the build-up of Alzheimer’s-inducing amyloid plaques (deposits found in the brains of sufferers) then nibbles away at existing plaques to slow cognitive decline. It is recommended to eat two or three curries a week, and make it a yellow curry. Otherwise, sprinkle the spices on your food. Read more about the many benefits of Curcumin. 24. diabetes control Having type 2 diabetes makes you more vulnerable to Alzheimer’s. Studies show it may double or triple your risk and the earlier diabetes takes hold, the higher the odds of dementia. Some experts refer to Alzheimer’s as “diabetes of the brain”. The two disorders have similar causes – obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high fat and high sugar diets, low physical activity as well as high blood sugar. In short, diabetes can deliver a double whammy to the brain, destroying neurons and increasing inflammation. Do everything possible to keep blood sugar levels low and stick to a low-saturated-fat diet and regular exercise. 25. Drink more tea Evidence suggests that tea stalls the cognitive loss that precedes Alzheimer’s and that the more tea you drink, the sharper your ageing memory is. Tea’s secret is no mystery. The leaves are packed with compounds able to penetrate the blood-brain barrier and block neuronal damage.  One particular green tea antioxidant can block the toxicity of beta-amyloid, which kills brain cells. Make a point of drinking black and green tea. Don’t add milk, it can reduce tea’s antioxidant activity by 25%.