{"id":8551,"date":"2024-06-18T12:05:35","date_gmt":"2024-06-18T16:05:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.naturalwellness.com\/nwupdate\/?p=8551"},"modified":"2025-02-06T17:38:34","modified_gmt":"2025-02-06T22:38:34","slug":"alzheimers-and-brain-health","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.naturalwellness.com\/nwupdate\/alzheimers-and-brain-health\/","title":{"rendered":"Alzheimer&#8217;s and Brain Health"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>June is Alzheimer\u2019s &amp; Brain Awareness Month. To help boost your knowledge of this disease and ways to promote brain health, here\u2019s what you need to know.<\/p>\n<h1>What is Alzheimer&#8217;s?<\/h1>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.alz.org\/alzheimers-dementia\/what-is-alzheimers\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Alzheimer\u2019s Association<\/a> defines this condition as \u201ca type of dementia that affects memory, thinking, and behavior.\u201d (<a href=\"#references\">1<\/a>) Its symptoms include trouble recalling new information, difficulty learning, feeling disoriented and confused, and mood and behavioral changes. In serious cases, it can make it hard to speak, swallow, and walk.<\/p>\n<p>The Alzheimer\u2019s Association adds that Alzheimer\u2019s disease is progressive, meaning it worsens over time. It appears most often in people aged 65 and older, though individuals under the age of 65 can develop younger-onset Alzheimer\u2019s.<\/p>\n<h3>3 Causes of Alzheimer\u2019s<\/h3>\n<p>In addition to age-related brain changes, the National Institute on Aging shares that Alzheimer\u2019s disease likely occurs due to a combination of: (<a href=\"#references\">2<\/a>)<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Genetics.<\/strong> More than 80 genetic variants have been associated with Alzheimer\u2019s, with three identified as causes.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Environment.<\/strong> Research indicates that one-third of Alzheimer\u2019s cases are caused by environmental factors, which include education early in life and social interaction in later years. (<a href=\"#references\">3<\/a>)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Lifestyle.<\/strong> Several lifestyle factors have also been linked with Alzheimer\u2019s development, including diet, smoking, alcohol consumption, and physical activity. (<a href=\"#references\">3<\/a>)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h3>Types of Alzheimer\u2019s Disease<\/h3>\n<p>Alzheimer\u2019s disease can be separated into different types or stages. They are: (<a href=\"#references\">4<\/a>)<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Early-stage or mild Alzheimer\u2019s<\/strong> \u2013 the person may experience memory lapses but still generally functions independently<\/li>\n<li><strong>Middle-stage or moderate Alzheimer\u2019s<\/strong> \u2013 symptoms become more pronounced, and a higher level of care is required (this stage often occurs over years)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Late-stage or severe Alzheimer\u2019s<\/strong> \u2013 dementia symptoms become severe, causing the individual to no longer respond to others or their environment, ultimately becoming unable to control their movement<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>How Does Alzheimer\u2019s Affect the Brain?<\/h2>\n<p>Alzheimer\u2019s effects are a result of the way it changes the brain. In early stages, there is damage to the neuron connections in areas of the brain responsible for memory while, in later stages, damage occurs in parts of the brain we use to speak, reason, and behave socially. Eventually, the damage spreads, causing greater dysfunction in the brain before turning fatal. (<a href=\"#references\">5<\/a>)<\/p>\n<h3>Alzheimer\u2019s Disease Treatment Options<\/h3>\n<p>While Alzheimer\u2019s is incurable, certain treatments can help slow the disease\u2019s progression and reduce bothersome symptoms. For example, cholinesterase-inhibiting medications may be prescribed to help prevent the breakdown of the brain chemical acetylcholine, which aids memory and thinking, while atypical antipsychotics can help with agitation. (<a href=\"#references\">6<\/a>)<\/p>\n<p>New treatments are also being explored, particularly those aimed at plaques in the brain. This includes monoclonal antibodies, drugs initially developed to help treat cancer, tau vaccines, and more. (<a href=\"#references\">7<\/a>)<\/p>\n<h2>5 Ways to Keep Your Brain Healthy<\/h2>\n<p>There are many things you can do to help support your brain\u2019s health. Here are five to work on starting today.<\/p>\n<h4>#1: Eat Brain Healthy Foods<\/h4>\n<p>We already know that our diet impacts our mental and physical health. But many don\u2019t realize that it also affects our brain\u2019s ability to function at higher levels. Harvard Medical School shares that some of the foods best for brain health include: (<a href=\"#references\">8<\/a>)<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-responsive alignnone wp-image-8554 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturalwellness.com\/nwupdate\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Nuts-are-a-superfood.jpg\" alt=\"Walnuts are great to eat for brain health.\" width=\"700\" height=\"465\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturalwellness.com\/nwupdate\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Nuts-are-a-superfood.jpg 700w, https:\/\/www.naturalwellness.com\/nwupdate\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Nuts-are-a-superfood-300x199.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Leafy greens (kale, spinach, collards, and broccoli)<\/li>\n<li>Fatty fish (salmon, cod, canned light tuna, and pollack)<\/li>\n<li>Berries (strawberries and blueberries)<\/li>\n<li>Walnuts<\/li>\n<li>Tea and coffee<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4>#2: Play Brain Games<\/h4>\n<p>Take time daily to play games or do activities that require you to think or strategize. Buy crossword puzzle books or download a brain game app. Do Sudoku or put together a puzzle.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-responsive alignnone wp-image-8555 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturalwellness.com\/nwupdate\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/sudoku.jpg\" alt=\"Playing games, like Sudoku, is excellent for brain health.\" width=\"700\" height=\"467\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturalwellness.com\/nwupdate\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/sudoku.jpg 700w, https:\/\/www.naturalwellness.com\/nwupdate\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/sudoku-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Keep your mental functions strong by working on them regularly.<\/p>\n<h4>#3: Exercise Your Body<\/h4>\n<p>Physical exercise is also good for the brain. It supports optimal brain health by increasing activity in areas of the brain that control memory and executive function, also promoting new brain cell growth. (<a href=\"#references\">9<\/a>)<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-responsive alignnone wp-image-8556\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturalwellness.com\/nwupdate\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/exercise-for-brain-health.jpg\" alt=\"Physical exercise supports brain health.\" width=\"700\" height=\"543\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturalwellness.com\/nwupdate\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/exercise-for-brain-health.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.naturalwellness.com\/nwupdate\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/exercise-for-brain-health-300x233.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturalwellness.com\/nwupdate\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/exercise-for-brain-health-768x596.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019re new to exercise, talk to your doctor first to learn whether it\u2019s safe for you.<\/p>\n<h4>#4: Make Sleep a Priority<\/h4>\n<p>Sleep is critical for brain health, both short- and long-term. If you are sleep-deprived for a few days, you may have trouble remembering or paying attention.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-responsive alignnone wp-image-8557 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturalwellness.com\/nwupdate\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/sleep-is-good-for-your-brain.jpg\" alt=\"Sleep is crucial for brain health.\" width=\"700\" height=\"467\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturalwellness.com\/nwupdate\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/sleep-is-good-for-your-brain.jpg 700w, https:\/\/www.naturalwellness.com\/nwupdate\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/sleep-is-good-for-your-brain-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>However, when sleep is disrupted long-term, this can lead to neurological dysfunction or, in severe cases, death \u2013 by inhibiting the brain\u2019s ability to clear waste, which affects our circulatory and respiratory systems. (<a href=\"#references\">10<\/a>) So, make it a priority to get adequate rest each night.<\/p>\n<h4>#5: Take Brain Health Supplements<\/h4>\n<p>Studies have found promising effects on brain health for many nutrients and herbs. Among them are <a href=\"https:\/\/www.naturalwellness.com\/products\/fish-oil-super-omega-3\">omega-3 fatty acids<\/a>, ginkgo biloba, and phosphatidylserine. (<a href=\"#references\">11<\/a>) Natural Wellness offers a supplement called <a href=\"https:\/\/www.naturalwellness.com\/products\/brain-support\">Brain Support<\/a> that contains ALL of these ingredients!<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.naturalwellness.com\/products\/brain-support\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-responsive alignnone wp-image-8562 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturalwellness.com\/nwupdate\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/woman-holding-brain-support_new.jpg\" alt=\"Brain Support contains nutrients and herbs for optimal brain health.\" width=\"700\" height=\"467\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturalwellness.com\/nwupdate\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/woman-holding-brain-support_new.jpg 700w, https:\/\/www.naturalwellness.com\/nwupdate\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/woman-holding-brain-support_new-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>While Alzheimer&#8217;s can\u2019t always be prevented, there are things you can do to improve brain function and health. These are five actions to try, and June is a good month to begin them in honor of Alzheimer\u2019s and brain awareness.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":19,"featured_media":8559,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[37],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8551","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-brain-health"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.naturalwellness.com\/nwupdate\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8551","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.naturalwellness.com\/nwupdate\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.naturalwellness.com\/nwupdate\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.naturalwellness.com\/nwupdate\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/19"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.naturalwellness.com\/nwupdate\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8551"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/www.naturalwellness.com\/nwupdate\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8551\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8964,"href":"https:\/\/www.naturalwellness.com\/nwupdate\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8551\/revisions\/8964"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.naturalwellness.com\/nwupdate\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8559"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.naturalwellness.com\/nwupdate\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8551"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.naturalwellness.com\/nwupdate\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8551"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.naturalwellness.com\/nwupdate\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8551"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}