Cola or Juice?
Your hippocampus knows if nine (and possibly soon up to 15) years in the future you will develop Alzheimer's dementia. My first gasp on reading this was to think "how horrible to be able to look ahead and know you would some day forget everything and everyone you ever knew, and yet live."
But maybe this kind of foreknowledge can allow us to better understand the elements in our genetics, diet, environment and lifestyles that effect the onset of this mind-robbing condition. Already there seem to be clues: genetics (in twin studies) plays an important role. At this point, the genes we have are the cards we play. But as is the case in many of diseases for which there is a genetic predisposition, having the genes for a condition does not mean we are doomed to suffer their expression.
Recent research suggests two pertinent alterable factors that all of us can exercise to significantly reduce our risk of dementias (including Alzheimer's are: 1) simply drinking fruit or vegetable juice 3 times a week may make you four times less likely to develop ALZH. And 2) early gum disease and the inflammation it causes (say NO to the cola!) can increase your risk by four. Exercise and moderate alcohol use also figure among the controllable risk factors for dementia (as well as for numerous other lifestyle-related disorders, of course.)
So when you need a mid-morning pick-me-up, chose the juice.
Comments
"Exercise and moderate alcohol use also figure among the controllable risk factors for dementia (as well as for numerous other lifestyle-related disorders, of course.)"
Huh? Exercise is a risk factor? Really? What could that mean?
Posted by: trish | June 29, 2005 11:47 AM
Does watermelon count as juice? :d (I have a nice big melon in my fridge right now...)
Posted by: Terry | June 29, 2005 12:00 PM
Ah, good, moderate alcohol. One more justification for the daily glass of red wine. Well, now, maybe two. One for the alcohol and one for the fruit juice!
Posted by: Carl | June 29, 2005 2:02 PM
I work with Alzheimer residents. This disease is one of the worst. Recently, it has been discovered that women who are taking hormone replacement therapy at menopause are more susceptable to the onset of symptoms. Talk to your doctor about this.
Posted by: Bonita | June 29, 2005 4:04 PM
If you're going to have the juice, might as well throw in the alcohol with it. Think Mimosas, screwdrivers, Mai Tais. A whole new outlook on imbibing early!
Posted by: Loretta | July 1, 2005 9:49 PM