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Eat Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) Containing Food and Supplements to Suppress Alzheimer's Disease (AD)

Aging may affect memory by changing the way the brain stores information and by making it harder to recall stored information.Your short-term and remote memories aren't usually affected by aging. But your recent memory may be affected. For example, may forget names of people you've met recently. These are normal changes.This is usually just a glitch in your memory. You'll almost always remember the word with time. This may become more common as you age. It can be very frustrating, but it's not usually serious.

Although there's no cure for Alzheimer's disease (AD), researchers have made progress. Treatments are available that improve the quality of life for some people with Alzheimer's. Also, more drugs are being studied, and scientists have discovered several genes associated with Alzheimer's, which may lead to new treatments to block progression of this complex disease.

It is a degenerative brain syndrome characterized by a progressive decline in memory, thinking, comprehension, calculation, language, learning capacity and judgement sufficient to impair personal activities of daily living. The rate of occurrence of AD doubles every five years for those between the 65 and 85 years of age, but if onset were delayed by five years, the number of cases worldwide would be halved. Thus serious attention needs to be paid to the risk factors and preventive measures that may be taken to postpone the onset, if not prevent the appearance of AD.

Alzheimer disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia in industrialized nations. Dementia is a brain disorder that interferes with a person’s ability to carry out everyday activities.This usually affects the parts of the brain that control cognitive (intellectual) functions such as thought, memory, and language.Levels of certain chemicals that carry messages around the brain (neurotransmitters) are low.The resulting losses in intellectual ability are called dementia when they are severe enough to interfere with everyday functioning.

Because the cause of the disease is unknown, there are no prevention protocols to follow at this time. And, because the controllable risk factors for Alzheimer's disease are unknown, it is not yet possible to reduce the chances of developing the disease.Behavioral symptoms such as depression, irritability, aggression (both verbal and physical), emotional distress, restlessness, and delusions are all common in people with Alzheimer’s disease. There are medications available to treat these behavioral symptoms. There are also non-medical approaches to help ease behavioral symptoms such as simplifying the environment or reducing noise and clutter. Regular exercise can also help reduce stress.

A type of omega-3 fatty acid called docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) may help slow the growth of two kinds of brain lesions associated with Alzheimer's disease, a new study suggests.

The most important n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid found in fatty fish, and a-linolenic acid found in plant foods. The biological effects of n-3 PUFAs are wide ranging, involving lipids and lipoproteins, blood pressure, cardiac function, arterial compliance, endothelial function, vascular reactivity and cardiac electrophysiology, as well as potent antiplatelet and anti-inflammatory effects . The very long chain n-3 PUFAs (eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid) powerfully lower serum triglycerides but they raise serum LDL cholesterol. Therefore, their effect on coronary heart disease is probably mediated through pathways other than serum cholesterol.

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is an omega-3 essential fatty acid.Convincing associations for reduced risk of CVD include consumption of fruits (including berries) and vegetables, fish and fish oils (eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), foods high in linoleic acid and potassium, as well as physical activity and low to moderate alcohol intake.

The researchers at the University of California, Irvine, said their finding suggests that a diet rich in DHA -- found in fish, eggs, organ meats, micro-algae, fortified foods and food supplements -- may help prevent the development of Alzheimer's as people age.

Fish is a good source of protein and doesn’t have the high saturated fat that fatty meat products do. Fatty fish like mackerel, lake trout, herring, sardines, albacore tuna and salmon are high in two kinds of omega-3 fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).

DHA is a major fatty acid in sperm and brain phospholipids, and especially in the retina. Dietary DHA can reduce the level of blood triglycerides in humans, which may reduce the risk of heart disease. Low levels of DHA cause reduction of brain serotonin levels[1] and have been associated with ADHD, Alzheimer's disease, and depression.

In this study with genetically modified mice, the scientists found that DHA slowed accumulation of tau, a protein that leads to the development of neurofibrillary tangles, one of the two signature brain lesions of Alzheimer's.

The researchers also found that DHA reduced levels of the protein beta amyloid, which can clump in the brain and form plaques, another kind of lesion associated with Alzheimer's.

"We are greatly excited by these results, which show us that simple changes in diet can positively alter the way the brain works and lead to protection from Alzheimer's disease pathology," study co-author Frank LaFerla, professor of neurobiology and behavior, said in a prepared statement.

He and his colleagues also learned how DHA keeps beta amyloid in check. DHA reduces levels of presenilin, an enzyme that separates beta amyloid from its "parent," the amyloid precursor protein. Without presenilin, beta amyloid cannot be generated.

The study, published in the issue of The Journal of Neuroscience, adds to growing evidence that diet and lifestyle changes may help people lower their risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, the researchers said.

"Combined with mental stimulation, exercise, other dietary intakes, and avoiding stress and smoking, we believe that people can significantly improve their odds against this disease," study lead author Kim Green said in a prepared statement.

The study was funded by Martek Biosciences Corp.

Alzheimer's is a neurodegenerative disease that affects more than 4.5 million adults in the United States. With an aging population, that number could approach 20 million by 2050. Five percent of people older than 65 have Alzheimer's, and up to one-half of people are affected by age 80.