Question: My mother and her sister both have Alzheimer’s — is there anything I can do to protect myself from getting it, too?
Jesmin (38), Gulshan-2, Dhaka.
Answer: Genetic factors may play a part in some types of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease. Although the condition cannot usually be cured, there are conventional drug treatments that help to control symptoms and there are also many self-help treatments worth considering for back-up and prevention.
Combat free radicals: Free radicals are involved in the development of Alzheimer’s disease, because they damage nerve cell membranes in the brain. Elevated levels of the antioxidant nutrients vitamins C and E and beta-carotene are all associated with a reduced risk of all forms of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, so taking an antioxidant supplement may provide some protection.
Go fish: As if there weren’t already enough reasons to be popping a couple of fish oil capsules every day, studies also show that a diet rich in the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA that are found in cold-water oily fish (e.g. salmon, trout, tuna, and mackerel) has a protective effect against Alzheimer’s disease. It may also be of benefit to people who already have the disease, with one study showing that Alzheimer’s patients who took 1,400mg of DHA daily experienced an improvement in cognition, orientation, and problem-solving.
